British, WW2, Section No 69 Grenade

*British, WW2, Section No 69 Grenade*

The lid is marked No. (obscured due to cutout) DLP-40. S 24.

The British No. 69 grenade was an anti-tank hand grenade developed during World War II. It was officially known as the “Grenade, Hand No. 69.” The No. 69 grenade was specifically designed to be an effective anti-tank weapon for infantry and was introduced into British service in 1940. It addressed the need for a grenade with a smaller destructive radius compared to the No. 36M "Mills bomb." This adaptation allowed soldiers to use the grenade even in situations with limited defensive cover.

The primary purpose of the No. 69 grenade was to provide infantry with a portable and effective anti-tank capability. It was designed to be thrown at enemy tanks to create a hole in the armor, allowing a follow-up attack with other anti-tank weapons. While the No. 69 grenade had some success against early-war tank designs, it had limitations. Its effectiveness was reduced against tanks with thicker armor. Additionally, its short range and the need for accurate aiming made its use challenging, especially under combat conditions.

Constructed entirely from the hard plastic Bakelite, the No. 69 grenade's shell shattered upon detonation, eliminating the production of fragments typical of metal-bodied grenades. Optional metal fragmenting sleeves were available to enhance the grenade's lethality.

Employing the No. 69 bomb was a straightforward process: the screw-off cap was removed and discarded, and the grenade was then thrown. During flight, a linen tape with a curved lead weight at the end automatically unwound, releasing a ball-bearing inside the fuze. This "all ways" action impact fuze armed itself in flight, causing the grenade to explode upon impact.

*Condition*
Please see photographs as part of the condition report.

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