Original Item: Only One Available. Totally inert and demilitarized according to BATF guidelines with hollow body and inert fuse. This grenade cannot be converted to an explosive device and is not available for export.

This is an iconic U.S. fragmentation pineapple grenade issued during WWII. The Mk II was standardized in 1920 replacing the Mk I of 1917. It was phased out gradually, the U.S. Navy being the last users, on 2 April 1945 the Mk II and Mk IIA1 were re-designated the Mk 2 and Mk 2A1.

The Mk II was commonly known as a pineapple grenade, because of its shape and structure. Grooves were cast into the cast iron shell, which was believed at the time to aid in fragmentation and had the side benefit of aiding in gripping the grenade; this provision gave it the appearance of a pineapple fruit.

Pre-WWII high explosive-filled Mk 2s were painted bright yellow. During wartime (from about 1943 and after), grenades were over-painted in olive drab, leaving a narrow yellow ring remaining at the top. Not all were over-painted, however, as D-Day film footage shows.
This example however is red without a visible yellow band at the top. An often overlooked period in the history of the Mk.II is from the 1920's thru the early 1930's. Recognizable features are the short lever "cut-back" Mk.II fuze (not present on this example) and the noticeable flat "shoulder" on the body.

Color schemes vary from blackened iron, black or gray paint to red. The red color (practice) was adopted from the French and German practice types. This pre-dates the early blue painted Mk.II practice grenade.

In 1943, “Igniter- M10A3” was the designation that was adopted to differentiate this model with the M10A3 fuze from the grenades with earlier fuzes. Declared limited standard on 6 April 1944 with the adoption of the Grenade, Hand, Fragmentation, TNT, Mk. II.

The Mk.IIA1 could be found with either the earlier body with a filling hole or the newer body without filling hole. It was up to the manufacturer which body style was used. The grenade is fitted only with the M10A3 fuze mechanism.

This rare early war grenade bears all original red paint over red primer with an original M10A3 fuse and pin. It is offered in very good condition. Genuine early war examples are extremely hard to find on the market today.

Comes ready to display.