Original Item: Only One Available. This is an excellent example of an extremely rare NB.Hgr.39 or Nebelhandgranate 1939 German Stick Grenade. This very nice example, acquired from a private estate sale, has been demilitarized according to specifications by the BATF. It still retains its original paint and the original markings can be seen on both the head and shaft of the grenade. Like all deactivated ordnance, this grenade is Not Available For Export.

In 1939 the Stielhandgranate design was modified to create the Nebelhandgranate "smoke hand grenade". Smoke was used for masking protection from enemy fire and signaling. There were two variants, the Nb.Hgr.39 and the Nb.Hgr.39b. The "b" version differs in that the handle has raised ridges and an additional white band to aid in identification at night, and quickly replaced the original version. The Nb.39 pot contained a mixture of zinc powder and hexachlorethane which produced a smoke cloud upon ignition. Holes in the bottom of the head provided an escape path for the smoke as it burned.

The warhead bears original paint including white paint that reads Nb. Hgr. 39 and code 114/40. The head has correct white paint bands for easy identification that it is a smoke grenade and not a traditional M1924 version. The head also has the correct ventilation holes on the underside. This example has heavy oxidation on one side of the head. The top of the head has an eagle cartouche marking but it is too faded to read. The shaft is marked RR 789 1940, which corresponds to the manufacturer Richard Rinker G.m.b.H. in Menden/Iserlohn, the original designer of the M24 grenade. This company had many factories and subcontractors, and 789 was S. Elster, Gassmesser- u. Gasapparatefabrik, of Wien.

The original screw cap is present, but it does not fasten on very well and falls off.

In WWII the stick of the German M24 (Model 24) grenade provided a lever, significantly improving the throwing distance. The Model 24 could be thrown approximately 30 to 40 yards, whereas the British Mills bomb could only be thrown about 15 yards. The design also minimized the risk of the grenade rolling downhill back towards the thrower when used in hilly terrain or in urban areas. These grenades were extremely useful for clearing out entrenched infantry positions.

As grenades were disposable, encountering them on the market is very rare, making this an excellent opportunity to acquire one to complete a WW2 ordnance collection.