13–040-939
NAME – Model 1939 Stick Grenade
NAME (NATIVE) – Stielhandgranate 39 [Stick hand grenade 39], StiGr 39, St.Hgr. 39
COMMON NAMES – Potato Masher (Allies)
TYPE – Blast-type hand grenade
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN – Germany
DATE OF MANUFACTURE – 1939
LENGTH – 40.6 cm (16 in)
WIDTH (DIAMETER) – 7 cm (2.75 in)
WEIGHT – 0.624 kg (1 lb 6 oz)
EFFECT – Blast and secondary fragmentation
BURST RADIUS – 6 to 7 m (6.5 to 7.7 yard) Blast, 10 to 16 m (11 to 17 yards) – Secondary fragmentation
FUSE TYPE – friction wire pull igniter, Brennzünder 24 (B.Z. 24) with No. 8 Detonator
FUSE INITIATION – Pull string with porcelain ball in base of handle under screw cap
FUSE DELAY – 4 to 5 seconds
FILLER – TNT
FILLER WEIGHT – 0.20 kg (7 oz)
FILLER EQUIVALENT TO TNT (R.E.) – 1.0
AVERAGE {MAXIUM} RANGE – 23-27 m (25 to 30 yards)
COLOR CODE – Field grey explosive head, metal parts, and screw cap, Markings in white, plain wood handle
MARKINGS – “VOR GEBRAUCH SPRENGKAPSEL EINSETZEN” (Before Use Insert Detonator) – Printed on explosive head in white block letters
MANUFACTURER – State arsenals
STATUS – Obsolete
SERVICE –Widespread general issue to German military units and allies
Though not found in German military publications, this model grenade was reported in a number of Allied intelligence documents and post-war Explosive Ordnance manuals. It may be that the Model 39 grenade was only produced in limited numbers by a single manufacturer. Generally, the Model 1919 grenade is slightly larger than the Model 24 Stick grenade. The thin 2 mm (0.080 in) thick head of the Hgr.39 is not designed primarily for fragmentation but to protect the interior explosive charge.
Besides its size, a major difference between the M39 and M24 grenades was the means of arming the grenade. In the Model 1924, a porcelain bead under the screw cap and the end of the handle was pulled to initiate the fuse and start the delay train. To expose the porcelain bead, the metal cap and the end of the handle was unscrewed. In the PH39 grenade, there was no porcelain bead. Instead, the igniter cord was attached directly to the screw cap. Unscrewing the cap and giving the cap a sharp pull initiated the delay train. By very carefully unscrewing the cap, the igniter cord could be seen attached to the cap. This careful examination would help prevent accidents when using captured enemy munitions.
