RARE: French, WWI, 2nd Model Barbed Wire Destruction Grenade - Pétard de Destruction pour Barbelés, Inert

*RARE: French, WWI, 2nd Model Barbed Wire Destruction Grenade - Pétard de Destruction pour Barbelés, Inert*

Approximate measurements: 11.5" long, metal body 5.4", 2.5" base diameter

A very scarce WWI Hand Grenade.

These grenades were designed to create breaches in enemy barbed wire defences, offering a faster and safer alternative to wire cutters, which left soldiers vulnerable to machine gun fire.

The design was simple: a steel cylinder containing Cheddite explosive, capped with wooden plugs at both ends. A hollow wooden stick housed a pull igniter connected to a 5-second fuse. Upon ignition, the charge detonated, effectively clearing barbed wire entanglements. The first model contained 400g of cheddite. A new longer 2nd model with a doubled explosive charge, 800g appeared in 1916,. It measures 11 1/2" in overall length.

*Condition*
This is a very rare grenade which survives in surprisingly good condition given its history. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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