H05746 M39 STICK SMOKE GRENADE. (Nebelhandgranate 39) M39 stick smoke grenade as developed in 1939 and based on the M24 pattern grenade. Smoke grenades were primarily used to conceal movement of friendly troops and obstruct observation by the enemy. Early pattern grenade consists of a sheet metal head and hollow lathed wooden handle. Grenade handle, head and screw capped bottom measure roughly, 14" tall inclusively. Field-grey painted sheet metal head has eight circular holes to the bottom edge for smoke to escape. Head retains about 90% of its original field-grey paint with small spots of wear to base metal and a small puncture hole to one side. Head is well marked with faint white stencilled designation, "Nb. Hgr 39", for Nebelhandgranate 39, (Smoke Hand grenade 39), and four horizontal white stripes with fine diagonal lines for ease of identification. Head also has white stencilled manufacturers initials, "M.A.G.", and date, "1940/1". Lathed, hollow cylindrical wooden handle with sheet metal fittings to top and bottom with additional screw on cap to bottom fitting. Handle has a stencilled white horizontal identification stripe near middle. Of Note: The white identification markings to head and handle were found to be inadequate at night and later patterns incorporated grooves in the handle for ease of recognition in the dark. Handle has faint illegible impressed makers mark and date that appears to "1940". Porcelain bead and pull cord both intact to handle interior.