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Description
Unlike the
American
Mk IIA1 grenade, the Stielhandgranate
(stick hand grenade) pattern 24 did not rely on
the damage caused by extensive metal
fragmentation, but instead did its damage with a
larger explosive charge.
The Stielhandgranate 24 was armed
by unscrewing a cap in the base of the handle and
pulling a cord which activated a friction igniter
that was attached to the fuse at the base of the
grenade's head.
The distinctive wooden handle allowed German
soldiers to throw the Stielhandgranate 24 much
further (1.5×) than the grenades of their Allied
counterparts, and the unique design earned the
nickname "potato masher."
Because of its design, the Stielhandgranate 24
could be configured in a variety of ways. By
strapping multiple heads to one grenade, a small
demolitions charge could be made. A device similar
to a Bangalore torpedo could be created by
attaching one grenade and a number of heads to a
length of wood.
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