identification please

[dano1917]

Here are a couple of items on an auction site that I would like to ask for help in identification. Picture on left is called M25A2 CSI riot control gas grenade. I assume it is not for military use? Can anyone tell aprox age? This and any other pertinent information would be appreciated. Picture on right is of a TNT canister. It says it has provision for fuze/igniter. Was wondering aprox age and whether or not for military use. Thanks...Dano

 

[pointblank0]

Here are a couple of items on an auction site that I would like to ask for help in identification. Picture on left is called M25A2 CSI riot control gas grenade. I assume it is not for military use? Can anyone tell aprox age? This and any other pertinent information would be appreciated. Picture on right is of a TNT canister. It says it has provision for fuze/igniter. Was wondering aprox age and whether or not for military use. Thanks...Dano

There is a bit of info on this site - http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/americas/unitedstates/m25a2cs1abcriot.html

Looks very nice though. I would buy it

 

[inertordnance]

Hello Dano,

M25A2 (Also M25 / M25A1) Grenades were US Military Issue and M25A2's were in use Circa VN Era. M25A2's were marked with lot numbers (No direct manufacture dates) and it is difficult to determine the exact date of manufacture for a specific example. At any rate, the specific M25A2 shown in your photo would be proper for VN Era.

The TNT Charge shown in your photo would be proper for US Military VN Era.

Some of the best sources of information on US VN Era Ordnance Items are the Related US Tech. & Field Manuals produced during that Era. These are still commonly available and you can build a nice VN Era library for less then a "kings ransom"

Stay safe,

Frank

 

[dano1917]

Thank you kindly pointblank0, most helpful......Dano

 

[EODGUY]

The grenade is Vietnam era. The small demo block pre-dates Vietnam, but was still used there in small quantities. By the time Vietnam came along people doing demo work much prefered to use the plastic explosive blocks instead of these smaller TNT filled blocks.

 

[dano1917]

Many thanks EODGUY and inertordnance. Information most helpful to me. totally appreciated......Dano

 

[US-Subs]

The question you need to ask on the M25 is if it is inerted, and if so, how. These are a pain in the butt first to empty, then to inert the detonator. The grenade comes with two identical plugs, one for the fill, the other to act as the firing pin. Both take an allen wrench. The firing pin opens easily, but the fill plug is cemented in. It is not hard to remove, but when you do it always cracks and breaks. So either you rob from a second grenade to get your replacement plug, or as you see many grenades, they are missing one plug.

You cannot display the grenade fuze without the detonator column (it fits right under the gray cap) but it takes a fair amount to inert, so many chop it off and just put the top in place. Doesn't work as well and can end up looking poorly.

So if you are thinking seriously about spending your money, ask if its inerted, how, and make sure it has both plugs.

To add what EODGUY said, we were still using the TNT blocks at White Sands in the mid and late 80s. We used both the 1/4lb and half pound blocks for destruction of armed single submunitions on the test areas. They worked perfectly for what we were doing and the way we were doing it. I've still got some of the WWII TNT cases that they came in.

 

[dano1917]

Thanks Jeff, I'll be sure and find out as I think I may want to take a stab at this one. I really like it with the container and all. Sounds like I better be pretty damned sure on his answer on how/if it was inerted. Appreciated..........Dano

 

[Eodtek]

The question you need to ask on the M25 is if it is inerted, and if so, how. These are a pain in the butt first to empty, then to inert the detonator. The grenade comes with two identical plugs, one for the fill, the other to act as the firing pin. Both take an allen wrench. The firing pin opens easily, but the fill plug is cemented in. It is not hard to remove, but when you do it always cracks and breaks. So either you rob from a second grenade to get your replacement plug, or as you see many grenades, they are missing one plug.

You cannot display the grenade fuze without the detonator column (it fits right under the gray cap) but it takes a fair amount to inert, so many chop it off and just put the top in place. Doesn't work as well and can end up looking poorly.

So if you are thinking seriously about spending your money, ask if its inerted, how, and make sure it has both plugs.

To add what EODGUY said, we were still using the TNT blocks at White Sands in the mid and late 80s. We used both the 1/4lb and half pound blocks for destruction of armed single submunitions on the test areas. They worked perfectly for what we were doing and the way we were doing it. I've still got some of the WWII TNT cases that they came in.

Here is an x-ray of a live one. As you can see it has a detonator in it with the primer at the bottom of the detonator. There is a small explosive charge but it is enough to create a great deal of hate and discontent.

BTW, I'm working on having a few dummy fuzes turned out of wood. Once I get it right I'll let you all know.

 

[V40]

Dan.....

Dan,


Note: All of the pictures that are not in blue "Practice Grenades" were used by the thousands upon thousands on the Battlefield. The "Blue Practice" Versions were used to teach our soldiers and that of the Yards, Nungs, and the South Vietnamese how to throw the grenade.

You see the Nungs and especially the Yards were never taught on how to throw something. Throwing anything in the Tribe was looked down upon and swift punishment came after. In the begining it took some SOG Recon Team 10's weeks. On one occasion they had been to the range for around 9 days now and the only progress made was that the Bru had learn to throw them only 5 feet.:tinysmile_cry_t4:

Like I stated before there are still allot of TM's and FM's out there to gain more information. Also Dan, if you need special pictures from my set of pics then let me know. The M25A1 & 2' were definately used in Vietnam as were the the two rear M7 series were used quite a bit. The WP's were normally left alone with the gray painted on but some 10's in Vietnam would spray Paint them Black.


Mark
V40

 

[V40]

Dan.....

Dan,

In these pictures is everything that they and we used in Vietnam as well as the "Practice" grenades for us and the Yards and/or Nungs.

Dan, the Nung & Yards were never taught to throw rocks or anything for that manner. If they did they wood be looked down upon and punishment was swift and painful

On one ocassion, a SOG One-Zero was teaching his Yards on the propper way of throwing a grenade. After 9 days he accomplished only 5 feet from the Yards.

Also, like I stated before get some TM's and FM's from the Vietnam War/era because they are still out there and cheap.

One other item, somebody here was talking about M25's. They were in fact used all over Vietnam.

The XM58 "pocket grenade/CS" were especially used by SOG as were the Mini-smokes.

 

[dano1917]

I just won the gas grenade and can on GB and still working on TNT canister. Will post some pics when I get it...Dano

 

[vinnyw]

:tinysmile_fatgrin_tHa Dano looks like you have plenty of help on this on.That M25 looks like the one I sold from my collection last month,it was a Korean era one.You need to buy it if you can i have only owned 2 in my 30 some years collrcting on my budgect.anyway enjoy.
vinny