NVA(?) stick grenade(?) crate

[Slick]

Might be of Chinese origin. Looks to be '68 vintage. Can anybody decipher the script? The sticks are black over red.

Rick

 

[EOD]

The 653 fits well into the row of Chinese codes. Also since the 652 was making grenades too.

 

[V40]

Looks like, at least to me that someone painted the red stick grenades black. I have had ones that came just in black and black was also on the end screw cap. Either way they are all training grenades. Even the black one I had was not drilled all the way through the stick portion. Hope this helps you?

 

[Slick]

Yea. And a poorly done paint job at that. The others I have are red. All marked the same. Near clones of each other. I'm pretty sure this variety is all "practice". Have yet to see a real one. Still hoping someone can translate things on the side of the crate.

 

[Fragman]

Hi Slick,

I missed this thread when it was originally listed. My understanding is that the one on the left in the attached photo is a type 58. It has the solid handle and is for throwing practice. The two on the right are Type 68's, which are HE. A few years back there were a lot of Type 68 handles floating around. No doubt some practice heads have ended up on the handles of type 68's. Cheers