Description
Illuminating hand grenades are used primarily for illumination and signaling. Because of high temperature generated by the pyrotechnic illuminating composition, these grenades may be used for incendiary purposes against flammable targets.
In outward appearance, the illuminating hand grenade Mk 1 resembles fragmentation hand grenades of the M26 series. The grenade body is made in two pieces. The illuminating charge is pressed into the lower half of the body and covered with a lever of first fire composition. This, in turn, is covered with an igniter charge.
The fuze is an integral part of the grenade. The body contains a primer and quick-match bushing. Assembled to the body of the fuze are a striker, striker spring, safety lever, and safety pin with pull ring. The split end of the safety pin has an angular spread.
The safety clips are not required with illuminating hand grenades.
Functioning
Removal of the safety pin permits release of the safety lever. When the safety lever is released, it is forced away from the grenade body by a striker acting under the force of a striker spring. The striker rotates on its axis and strikes the percussion primer. The primer initiates the quickmatch, which burns for seven seconds, and then ignites the igniter charge. The igniter charge ignites the first-fire composition which, in turn, ignites the illuminating charge. Gas pressure produced by burning of the illuminating composition causes the upper half of the grenade body to separate from the lower half. This exposes the burning illuminating charge. The grenade will burn for 25 seconds with approximately 55,000 candlepower and will illuminate an area of 200 meters (656 feet) in diameter.
Hazardous Components
No information about hazardous components.
See Also
Grenade, Hand, Fragmentation, Delay, M26, M26A1
Source(s)
TM 43-0001-29, Grenades (chg 4, 2002)
OP 1664, Volume 1 - US Explosive Ordnance (1947)
OP 1664, Volume 2 - US Explosive Ordnance (1947)
USNBD - Bombs and Fuzes, Pyrotechnics (1945)
