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Russian M1912 Grenade


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Here is an example of a WW1 Russian hand grenade, the M1912. This was a fairly complex design grenade, made from sheet metal and inside it had a fragmentation sleeve. The explosive used ammonal, which was water soluble, so these grenades and their fuses were packed into airtight containers until use. The fuse was in the handle and spring loaded, secured by a metal ring, similar to the Russian gas grenades of the time. There is a hook on the reverse to allow it to be attached to the soldiers belt. On the side are some stampings, as this is another dug example, they may be hard to read. The grenade also had several lead balls attached to strings at various points on the grenade to allow stability when thrown through the air. The handle and string are replacements, everything else is original. 

 

 

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  • 4 weeks later...

Nice Lantern grenade and in really great condition. I know of one available that I'm thinking about purchasing. It's in Semi Relic condition & has a replacement stick but it is over 100 years old so there you go. I've seen examples of these grenades with Russian writing & 2 round stamps above the belt hook (see photo). The one I'm thinking of purchasing doesn't have this detail.I don't think yours does either. You know your Russian grenades so I'd value your opinion on this aspect of the grenade.

Cheers.

 

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Welcome Spitfire, thank you for your kind remarks. Do you have any more pictures of the item you are interested in? I would like to see if it has all the parts or at least most of them. What price range is it? I have seen these go any where from 300 euros to 600 euros, depending on condition and the completeness of the grenade. My example also has a similar stamping, however it was hidden by the top cover. I used some talcum powder to enhance the stamp. Most of the examples you will come across today are dug or relic condition, so they will all most likely have a replacement wood handle. However finding one that is not bad off, i.e. not overly corroded and pitted, and you can still see the stampings makes it more valuable in my opinion. 

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So here it is. Semi relic condition but fairly complete. Doesn't have that writing above the belt hook and I'd really like to know why that is. I've asked the seller & its not there.  Bought loads of stuff off this dealer its always pukka (genuine) Around $200 US

 

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Very nice! The body looks pretty good, and it has the internal fragmentation sleeves, which are usually missing. Good price as well, it does look authentic to me in the pictures. 

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Thanks for your opinion I'm inclined to agree with you.I'll  probably end up buying it given how hard they are to find.

Cheers.

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Not a problem, anytime you have any questions, please ask. Wish I was over in Europe as well, those grenades as well as European models are very hard to find here and expensive. 

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  • 3 months later...

I have found out more info relating to the 1912 model Lantern grenade from a good source. The writing above the belt hook came into being from 1914. Earlier produced models didn't have this stamp. As far as the one above being manufactured in 1913, I will be purchasing  it now I have established the 'lack of a stamp above the belt hook issue' plus it is a very good price at €200 and with it being relatively complete. The replica stick though is incorrect in its design in that it is about 7-8mm too long and should be much flatter at the base like the one in the original post if you compare the two so I will address that issue & I'm inclined to age it to give it a more authentic look.

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  • 2 months later...

Here is a photo I came across while surfing the web, captured Russian grenades...you can clearly see the 1912 lantern types, the hexagonal models and the 1914 models.

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Great photo. Yes I see all 3 types.

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  • 1 month later...

So my Russian 1912 Lantern finally arrived. Manufacturerd in 1913. It doesn't have the stamp above the belt hook but a knowledgeable source has told me those stamps came in from 1914 onwards so maybe thats the case. It is a nice example, not quite complete but not far off. The handle is repro and needs ageing and shortening slightly to 11cm and it should be flat at the base so I'll be getting that sorted. The lever on the handle is a slimmer version to most  but not all that I've seen.Whether thats a design change I don't know but it does look original. Overall very pleased to have such a rare grenade in my collection and I think it looks to be in good company with the 3 other Russian grenades that I have.

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Looks very good A.S., fine addition to the collection! It is very hard to find the lantern types in good shape, I have not seen one yet that has not been dug.

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