December 7th Militaria and Aviation Auction
Lot 120:
Description
This is an authentic and iconic piece of World War I militaria: an Imperial German Stielhandgranate stick grenade, specifically the Model 1915 M15 variant. This early pattern of the stick grenade, famously dubbed the potato masher, features a substantial, textured cast iron or sheet metal head containing the explosive charge, which is fitted onto a tapered wooden handle. The grenade head exhibits a dark, heavy patina and pitting consistent with its WWI origins and trench usage. A metal belt clip is attached beneath the head for carrying on the uniform. The wooden handle retains its original metal base cap, which, when unscrewed , reveals the porcelain ball attached to the fuse pulling cord, the mechanism used to ignite the timed fuse. This fragmentation grenade was instrumental in trench warfare tactics and is a rare survivor, representing one of the most recognizable weapons of the Great War. INERT
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