Original German WWII Inert 1939 dated M24 Stick Grenade by Richard Rinker – Stielhandgranate Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. This is an extremely rare M1924, M24, or “Stielhandgranate (stalk hand grenade) 24″ German Stick Grenade, often called a “potato masher”. This example, acquired from the family of a WWII veteran, has been demilitarized according to specifications by the BATF. The warhead still unscrews. It still retains most of the original paint, and the original markings can be seen on the head of the grenade.

The warhead is in very good condition and easily unscrews from the shaft, showing a portion of the original fuze still present. It is the correct green color used on early and pre-WWII grenades, with a red primer underneath, seen where it is worn through.It also still has the white stencil that reads VOR GEBRAUCH SPRENGKAPSEL EINSETZEN (Before use insert detonator). The top of the grade is missing most of the paint, and is marked with ЯR 1939, which corresponds to the manufacturer Richard Rinker G.m.b.H. in Menden/Iserlohn, the original designer of the M24 grenade. It also has a very nice Waffenamt WaA88 paint marking in the center of the top. There looks to have been some wax added inside the warhead to give it more weight.

The wood shaft of the grenade is also in great shape, with original paint on the fittings, and is marked RR 513 / 1939, also for manufacturer Richard Rinker G.m.b.H.. This company had many factories and subcontractors, which is what the number “513” corresponds to. In this case the factory is identified as Vossloh-Werke GmbH, located in Werdohl, Westfalen.

The lower screw cap is in good condition, with the original spring inside still intact, and the fitting on the end of the shaft is great as well. The shaft is correctly hollow to allow the internal components and porcelain “donut” bead with pull string, which are still included, definitely a rarity! There is even a Waffenamt WaA33 on the bottom, making this one of the most well-marked examples of an M24 stick grenade that we have ever had.

In WWII the stick of the German M24 (Model 24) grenade provided a lever, significantly improving the throwing distance. The Model 24 could be thrown approximately 30 to 40 yards, whereas the British Mills bomb could only be thrown about 15 yards. The design also minimized the risk of the grenade rolling downhill back towards the thrower when used in hilly terrain or in urban areas. These grenades were extremely useful for clearing out entrenched infantry positions.

As grenades were disposable, encountering them on the market is very rare, especially with the original pull string and weight, making this an excellent opportunity to acquire one to complete a WWII ordnance collection.