TM-E 30-451 Handbook on German Military Forces   LoneSentry.com

[DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department Technical Manual, TM-E 30-451: Handbook on German Military Forces published in March 1945. — Figures and illustrations are not reproduced, see source details. — As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. — Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]


CHAPTER VII. WEAPONS

Section VIII. GRENADES

4. Grenades for Modified Rifled Grenade and Signal Pistol

a. HIGH EXPLOSIVE GRENADE (Sprengpatrone für Kampfpistole). This round consists of a die-cast aluminum cartridge case into which the projectile is fitted. A percussion cap and propellant are in the base of the cartridge case. Ten holes in a plate above the propellent charge lead the gases to the base of the projectile. The projectile has a rifled aluminum body containing two bursting charges of penthrite wax and a point detonating fuze which is armed as the projectile leaves the muzzle of the pistol. The projectile may be recognized by the letters "Spr. Z." stencilled on the base.

b. SMOKE GRENADE (Nebelpatrone für Kampfpistole). (1) General description. Externally this projectile is similar to the high explosive projectile. Internally it contains a smoke generator. It is fitted with a point detonating fuze similar to that used in the high explosive projectile, except that there is a charge of gunpowder in place of the detonator below the flash cap.

(2) Operation. The projectile functions on impact. The internal charge of gunpowder is ignited by the flash cap and blows off the nose. At the same time the smoke generator is ignited. The smoke generator is projected a considerable distance from the point of impact.

c. ORANGE SMOKE GRENADE (Deutpatrone für Kampfpistole) (1) General description. Externally this projectile is similar to the Nebelpatrone, except that it has no nose fuze. The head is parabolic. The grenade is filled with an orange smoke composition. In a central cavity are four strands of quick-match connected to a gunpowder pellet in the center of the projectile base. The smoke jets at the base are covered with a thick pad of compressed paper which is burst by the smoke pressure. "Deut. Z." is stencilled on the base.

(2) Operation. When the projectile leaves the cartridge case, the gunpowder pellet is ignited and, after a delay, the quick-match ignites and in turn ignites the smoke mixture.

d. PARACHUTE FLARE (Fallschirmleuchtpatrone für Kampfpistole). (1) General description. Externally this has the general appearance of the other types. It has a black bakelite head with a white spot in the center. The base of the projectile has a screwed-in plug which is perforated to hold a gunpowder pellet. Above this is a flare with parachute attached. "F. Leucht. Z." is stencilled on the base.

(2) Operation. On firing the flash from the propellant ignites the gunpowder pellet which, after a delay, ignites the flare. The bakelite head is blown off and the illuminating type flare ejected.

e. MESSAGE GRENADE (Nachrichtpatrone für Kampfpistole). (1) General description. This grenade consists of a pre-rifled aluminum body, with a plastic head, and an aluminum cartridge case. The black plastic head, which screws onto the body, contains a message form and pencil. The body contains a smoke generator, a colored silk streamer, and an ejecting charge. The body is closed by a screwed-in base plate with a gunpowder delay pellet. Stencilled on the base are the letters "Nachr. Z".

(2) Operation. When the projectile is fired, the flash from the propellant ignites the delay in the grenade base plate. This in turn ignites the ejecting charge and expels the message container, smoke generator, and streamer.


  

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