G04053 GERMAN WWI EGG GRENADE. (Eierhandgranate) An iron, egg-shaped grenade, 2 5/16" tall without its plug, along whose center is a horizontal, serrated ring, 6 1/2" in circumference. Screwed unto its 7/16" diameter top opening (in lieu of the arming, time pull fuse) is an original alloy safety plug, as used in transit. The notched plug still has its original leather washer to its underside. The grenade retains approximately 70% of the red paint to its body, which may imply that this is a dummy, as training grenades were commonly painted that color, or it may simply be protective primer paint. There appear to be a couple of impressions to its base, one of which may be the letter "L." Introduced in 1916, these small "Eier" (Egg) grenades were carried in quantity by shock troops engaged in storming trenches, who would use the larger and more powerful "Stiel-" (Stick) and "Kügel-" (Ball) hand-grenades to clear the trench, and the egg grenades, which could be thrown farther, to deter reinforcing enemy troops.

To order this item, please e-mail us at: pawmac@nbnet.nb.ca