Lot 119:
WWII Japanese Type 99 “Kiska” Hand Grenade
Description
Original WWII Imperial Japanese Type 99 hand grenade, commonly known to collectors as the “Kiska” grenade. Introduced in 1939 as a lighter offensive grenade, the Type 99 is readily identified by its smooth cylindrical cast-iron body with raised upper and lower rims, rather than the deeply segmented body found on the Type 97 and Type 91 grenades. This example retains its characteristic brass percussion-type fuze assembly and surviving safety-wire components. The body retains much of its original dark finish with scattered oxidation, surface wear, and traces of red paint around the upper plate. The brass fuze exhibits an attractive aged patina with discoloration and oxidation consistent with age.The Type 99 represented an improvement over the earlier Type 97 pattern, incorporating a revised striker arrangement that eliminated the need to screw down the striker before use. Wartime U.S. intelligence sources describe it as approximately 3½ inches long and 1¾ inches in diameter, with a smooth, non-serrated body. This example is inert and offered strictly as a historical collectible, with no representation of live explosive content. Overall, a scarce and visually distinctive example of the Japanese Type 99 “Kiska” grenade showing honest wartime age, patina, and wear.
Share this lot:
