Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely, unused example of an M18 smoke grenade for the color red. Although it is unused, all contents were removed and the fuse was rendered inert. What makes us believe this is an unused example is that the hole on the bottom of the canister is still covered properly. All markings are visible and the original paint is retained nicely, making this a wonderful offering!

The smoke grenade is totally inert and is unable to be used as a destructive device. The grenade is in complete compliance per the current BATF standards governing ordnance and is not available for export.

A smoke grenade is a canister-type grenade used as a signaling device, target or landing zone marking device, or as a screening device for unit movements.

Smoke grenades generally emit a far larger amount of smoke than smoke bombs, which are a type of fireworks typically started with an external fuse, rather than a pin and are more complex. Smoke grenades often cost around US$40 compared to smoke bombs, which can often cost just a few cents. The phrase "to smoke", meaning to fake, bluff, or beat around the bush, comes from the military usage of smoke grenades to obscure and conceal movement;[citation needed] similarly, "pop smoke", derived from a common way of ordering the use of smoke grenades, is used as a slang term for quickly leaving a place.

This example is in wonderful condition and retains nearly all of the original OD green and light blue stenciling. Both the grenade canister and the fuse retain full markings and are as follows:

Canister:

M18
SMOKE
RED
MEI.43.4

Fuse:

FUZE M201A1
MEI-5-4

A wonderful example that comes more than ready for display.

M18 Smoke Grenade
The M18 was developed in 1942 during World War II and was completed in November of that year. It was designed to replace the M16 smoke grenade, which did not burn as long or as vividly. It was designated standard issue in the fall of 1943. Both were produced at the same time as the M16 production lines were already setup when the M18 was adopted. The M16 was available in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet, and black. The M18 initially were going to be produced in the same colors, including white, but it was decided to limit it to four colors (red, yellow, green and violet) for simplicity. The M16 was declared limited standard in 1944 but was still available when it was declared obsolete in the early 1990s.

The violet-colored smoke grenade was used in-theater because of its vivid color; previously it was only used in the United States for training. Its smoke was more toxic than the other color mixtures and was removed from the inventory after the end of the Cold War in the 1990s.

The green-colored smoke grenade was still used in Southeast Asia because the jungle undergrowth was a different color and would still contrast with it. It was discovered that the green smoke drove away swarming bees[citation needed].

When a ground element popped smoke to identify its location to aircraft, the aircraft was not told the color, but told to identify the color they saw. This prevented the VC/NVA if monitoring the frequency from popping smoke of the same color to confuse the aircraft. For additional security the colors were sometimes identified as cherry (red), lime (green), lemon or banana (yellow), or grape (violet).

Color/Markings: Olive drab body with a pale green band and markings, the top painted red, yellow, green, or violet to indicate the smoke color and the color's name marked on the side.

In World War II the M18 had a light gray body with a yellow band and markings and the top was in the smoke color.

Body: Sheet steel cylinder with four emission holes at the top and one at the bottom to allow smoke release when the grenade is ignited.

Fuze Assembly: M201A1 Pull-ring Igniter. A "mouse trap" type igniting fuze with a 1.2 to 2.0 second delay. Ignition ignites the filler and expels it from the grenade body.

Filler: 11.5 ounces (326 grams) of a colored smoke mixture. Available in red, green, yellow, or violet.

Weight: 19 ounces (539 grams)

Safety Clip: None

Range: Can be thrown 35 meters (115 ft) by an average soldier.

Duration: The grenade produces a cloud of colored smoke for 50 to 90 seconds (0.85-1.5 minutes).