June 12-13, 2019 Edged Weapon, Armor, & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/12/2019
Lot consists of: (A) Among the earliest and crudest of the World War I French grenades is the Pétard Raquette. Little more than an early pipe bomb wired to a stick, it is a classic example of the early rush to get grenades to the front lines. This specimen features the fragmented type body wired to the stick, with the wooden block above which would have held the nail, primer and safety fuze with detonator. The grenade is overall in good condition with heavy aging and moderate corrosion on the body. (B) Of great influence in World War I grenade design was the Norwegian arms inventor Nils Aasen. During World War I Aasen was given the task of producing hand grenades for the French army, he would eventually manage 13 factories with 13,000 employees working throughout the war. Many of the Aasen grenade designs are difficult to reference and variations abound. This example appears related to the “Type A” Aasen design, but the stick and skirt also come fairly close to the similar French P2. This grenade is in generally good condition, with repairs to the belt loop, base and side of the body. The stick and skirt appear to be original. (C) The beginning of a World dynasty for hand grenades that continues unbroken to this day, this is a World War I 1916 Mills No. 5, with the brass plug that was used from September 1915 through to January 1917. The lever dates the grenade specifically at 1916. The grenade is in very good condition, with no paint or markings. The body, spoon and bottom plug appear to be unmarked, though with additional cleaning a maker might be identifiable on the bottom plug. The grenade has some light surface corrosion, but no pitting or damage.