*US, Vietnam Era, Practice Rifle Grenade M31 (Inert), Dated Oct 1963, with Period US G981 Rifle Grenade Transit Container*
An original United States Cold War era Practice Rifle Grenade M31 (Inert) finished in the correct blue training colour, accompanied by a period US military fibreboard grenade transit container.
The grenade retains its distinctive streamlined body with four stabilising fins and carries clear stencilled markings reading:
“GRENADE RIFLE – PRACTICE M31 (INERT)”
“LOT LS-36-6”
“LOADED 10-63”
The loading date of October 1963 places the piece firmly within the Cold War period, when rifle grenades continued to be used for training alongside the introduction of newer infantry grenade launchers. The grenade is designed to fit over a spigot-type rifle grenade launcher, mounted to the muzzle of a service rifle, allowing the grenade to be projected using a special blank cartridge.
Accompanying the grenade is a US military fibreboard transit container with printed markings reading:
“G981”
“GRENADE RIFLE PRACTICE M31 (INERT) W/O CARTRIDGES”
“GRENADE RIFLE .30 CAL. M3”
“LOT LS-36-4”
These reinforced cardboard tubes were used by the US military to protect rifle grenades during storage and transport.
While the container is a correct US military rifle grenade transit tube of the period, it is marked for .30 calibre M3 launcher equipment and is therefore not the exact issued container for this specific grenade, but it remains an appropriate and interesting period storage container that displays well with the grenade.
Approx. Measurements – Grenade height: 43.5 cm. Base diameter: 9.5 cm.
Container height: 45.8 cm. Container diameter: 10.1 cm.
History Note:|
Rifle grenades formed an important part of infantry weapon systems during the mid-20th century. Fired from a launcher attached to the muzzle of a service rifle, they allowed soldiers to deliver explosive or specialised grenades at significantly greater distances than could be achieved by hand.
The M31 series of rifle grenades was developed in the post-Second World War period and remained in service throughout the early Cold War. Practice examples such as this grenade were manufactured in a distinctive blue finish to indicate an inert training configuration, allowing soldiers to practise loading, aiming and firing procedures safely on training ranges.
This example is marked “Loaded 10-63” (October 1963), placing its manufacture at the beginning of the Vietnam War era, when US forces were rapidly expanding their presence in Southeast Asia and training large numbers of troops. During this period rifle grenades were still part of the infantry arsenal before gradually being replaced by dedicated grenade launchers such as the M79 grenade launcher during the mid-1960s.
Training grenades like this would have been used extensively in range instruction to familiarise soldiers with the handling and firing of rifle grenade systems.
*Condition*
The grenade remains in good display condition with the majority of its original blue painted finish present. Some areas of surface wear, marks and light scuffing are visible consistent with age and handling. The stabilising fins remain intact and the stencilled markings are still largely clear. The fibreboard container shows age-related wear, marks and creasing consistent with military storage but retains clear printed markings. The grenade is clearly marked INERT and is sold as a non-functional collector and display item only. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
JAQGE#2998_5579236127
