Description
The M68 fragmentation hand grenade is used to supplement small arms fire against the enemy in close combat. The grenade produces casualties by high velocity projection of fragments in a uniform distribution pattern.
The grenade body is a 2.5-inch diameter steel sphere which is designed to burst into numerous fragments when detonated. The grenade body contains 6.5 ounces of high explosive, Composition B. Each grenade is fitted with a fuze that initiates the explosive charge.
The M68 grenade uses the M217 fuze which is an electrical impact functioning fuze with a secondary pyrotechnic delay feature that will detonate the grenade if it does not explode on impact. The major components are as follows: a bouchon assembly, a fuze body assembly (which contains a primer, thermal power supply, an arming delay thermal switch, a delay detonation thermal switch assembly, an impact switch assembly and an electric detonator), and a booster pellet. The bouchon assembly consists of a striker, striker spring, striker hinge pin, safety lever and safety pin with pull ring. The fuze body is hermetically sealed.
The M217 fuze is equipped with a steel safety pin and pull ring. The split end of the safety pin is either spread approximately 40 degrees or diamond- haped to prevent accidental removal and arming during shipping and handling. The pull ring is provided to facilitate easy removal of the safety pin.
A safety feature is the steel safety clip. The safety clip's purpose is to prevent the safety lever from snapping upward into a triggered position, in the event the safety pin is accidentally dislodged from the fuze.
Hand grenade M68 is the M59 with a safety clip.
Functioning
No information about functioning.
Hazardous Components
No information about hazardous components.
See Also
Grenade, Hand, Fragmentation, Impact, M59
Source(s)
TM 43-0001-29, Grenades (chg 4, 2002)
TM 9-1385-51, Ammunition (Conventional) for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (1967)
