Reproduction Grenades

[Mark Thompson]

I've got a question for Ya'll
I have come across many "WW1 reproduction grenades" (stick and egg).

1) inertproducts.com sells a german stick grenade for $99 and has an end cap and pull string
2) RZM supply.com sells a repro stick for $45 and has the "correct" detonator with the cloth tape
3) Schipperfabrik sells a stick with just a ring at the end for about $50
4) Military Tour sells the same grenade as Schipper for a couple bucks cheaper

What is the proper type of stick grenade (or eirhandgranaten) that I can carry at timeline events? Has anybody bought any of these before?

[Hoffmann]

I have not bought any of the reproductions, but I will give my opinion for what it is worth.

The Inertproducts is out. Just going by what they said, "Same as WW2 type, but WW1 version had this attached 'belt clip'" - this is wrong. I believe the basic stick grenade in WWII was the type 24, which while similar to the WWI M17, it was longer and the handle was shaped differently.

As for the Schipper/Military tour, I think they could be used at Timeline events, maybe with just a touch of modification. However, it may depend on what point in the war you wish to portray. Take a look at this pic:



The grenades are arranged in order of their introduction. As best as I can determine, the Schipper grenade matches the third down, which was used in 1915 and 1916. The bottom is the model 1917. What I do not know is if production of the 1915/1916 model stopped when the M1917 production started? I would assume so, but I am no expert. The German wartime industry was so strained, who knows?

I would personally limit carrying the Schipper repro except at mid-war style events. 1914 impressions could include the disc grenade and Kugel grenade, and impressions from 1917-1918 can include the egg grenade.

Hoffmann

[Hoffmann]

Here is a link with more info on the stick grenades with a picture of the M17 next to an M24:

www.inert-ord.net/gerimp/sticks/index.html

Hoffmann

[Hoffmann]

Reproduction Kugel: thefieldwerks.com/kugel_replica.html

Reproduiction Egg: thefieldwerks.com/wwi_german_egg_grenade.html

Hoffmann

[kingkaiser]

Here's a site that sells wooden reproduction WWI grenades:

www.relics.org.uk/index.php

They sell stick grenades and disc grenades. The stick grenade depicted on the site is an early war model, without the "star" end cap. However, they will make the late war models. They will even make the "gebalte ledung" grenade bundle.

I've bought from them before, and the grenades are "okay". They're not "dead on" repros, but they seem a bit better than what is commonly seen on other sites.