Grenade Fuze ID Help Please!

[eagleeye911]

This item was destroyed by my team due to strict policies! It was uncovered in the U.S. by a civilian performing garden maintenance. The radiograph showed similarity to french design (mle1935), but the cover cantilevered open as the spoon was withdrawn away from the body (Note: This occurred prior to our arrival!). The grenade body revealed "1, L W, 2", no other distinguishable markings were evident. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

[US-Subs]

Pretty certain that it is a cigarette lighter, modified from fuze parts and a practice grenade body. They were fairly common 20-30 years ago.

 

[eagleeye911]

Interesting you mention grenade lighter, as this was our initial thought, due to no obvious provision for a safety pin. But looking at the lighter avenue, all of our examples are one piece construction (fuze and grenade body cast together).

The radiograph revealed (by my opinion): as the spoon was withdrawn from the grenade, it compressed a spring and firing pin outward. A second spring loaded "safety block" would then be ejected through the top of the fuze, allowing the firing pin to release into a primer at the front side of the fuze with continued outward movement of the spoon.

In the condition found, the "safety block" was impinged by debris, as was the top of the fuze body. We attempted a RSP in the hopes of recovering and interrogating the fuze further. The grenade was live and destroyed any chance of further interrogation.

I know it is possible this was a frankenstein project, it would not be the first encountered in our AOR.
The complexity of the design and the resemblance to many early french fuze designs, has led me to ask for input.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Slick]

This one looks very similar. I believe Mr. US-Subs' guess was correct.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...EA10E7CCA4F040C6E8C4B0A&first=211&FORM=IDFRIR

 

[eagleeye911]

You guys rock! Now to find out why and how it was converted.

 

[millsbomber]

How did you know it was live, did it have a plug to fill with petrol and a filler inside to absorb the fuel,,,, Dave

 

[US-Subs]

I think I have one laying around somewhere, it may be buried though and no guarantees I can find it. I've got a show today that we are displaying at, and visitors tomorrow to the Bombatorium, but I'll try and see if I can dig something out and we can compare. I've got another piece to search for for a different thread as well.

Interesting you mention grenade lighter, as this was our initial thought, due to no obvious provision for a safety pin. But looking at the lighter avenue, all of our examples are one piece construction (fuze and grenade body cast together).

The radiograph revealed (by my opinion): as the spoon was withdrawn from the grenade, it compressed a spring and firing pin outward. A second spring loaded "safety block" would then be ejected through the top of the fuze, allowing the firing pin to release into a primer at the front side of the fuze with continued outward movement of the spoon.

In the condition found, the "safety block" was impinged by debris, as was the top of the fuze body. We attempted a RSP in the hopes of recovering and interrogating the fuze further. The grenade was live and destroyed any chance of further interrogation.

I know it is possible this was a frankenstein project, it would not be the first encountered in our AOR.
The complexity of the design and the resemblance to many early french fuze designs, has led me to ask for input.

Thanks in advance for any help!

View attachment 65923View attachment 65924

 

[Eodtek]

Can you post the x-ray for us to look at?

I originally thought that it might be a Vietnamese variant from the war but I was only provided with the first 3 photos and no other info which made it more of a guessing game than anything else.

 

[eagleeye911]

How did you know it was live, did it have a plug to fill with petrol and a filler inside to absorb the fuel,,,, Dave

There was a threaded recess on the bottom which appears to be originally used as a stand, based on the photo from Slick. There was no cotton or wicking material that we observed. Based on the rules I read, I can not discuss in detail the procedures used. I can say the intent was to crack the grenade body and preserve the fuze, it resulted in a total high order.

 

[US-Subs]

I'ver dug around looking for mine everyplace I can think of, but it looks like I gave it away or threw it out. As a non-ordnance piece I didn't have the interest, space is just too valuable.

I remain 95% convinced of it being a lighter, in the views shown it is nearly identical to the one I had. I'll keep digging, mine may show up in a photo somewhere.

 

[wemme]

Any chance you can show the x-rays if availible or is this against the rules?

 

[millsbomber]

I'ver dug around looking for mine everyplace I can think of, but it looks like I gave it away or threw it out. As a non-ordnance piece I didn't have the interest, space is just too valuable.

I remain 95% convinced of it being a lighter, in the views shown it is nearly identical to the one I had. I'll keep digging, mine may show up in a photo somewhere.

You did not bury it in the garden did you Jeff,,,,,,, Dave

 

[US-Subs]

After building the Bombatorium I have very little garden left.....