The HG 85 is a time fuse-detonated fragmentation grenade system packed with 155 grams of TNT. Each unit weighs in at 465 grams and feature a diameter of 65mm. As an anti-personnel weapon system, the HG 85 relies on its detonation mechanism to send thousands of metal shards in all directions, devastating soft targets with relative ease. As such, these types of weapons are useful in clearing out a determined and prepared enemy from fortifications and urban settings. The Swiss Army first began operational service of the HG 85 series in 1985 to which several other European powers have followed suit.
The HG 85 is designed conventionally and sports an egg-like body that sits firmly into an adult hand. The pull-ring is fitted to the top along with the safety component. The grenade body casing is of metal. The user actuated the arming process manually and then throws the grenade in the direction of the enemy, taking care to manage a safe distance from the detonation of which individual fragments may reach out to 100 yards or more.
The HG 85 series is primarily used by the military forces of Switzerland, Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The British redesignated the grenade as the L109 in the Royal inventory and features a specially-devised safety clip which the original HG 85 does not. The L110 designates an inert Drill Grenade for grenade throwing training and is noticeably colored in blue (as opposed to the L109's external green scheme. The Dutch designated their HG 85 as the Nr300 and features the same safety clip installation as the British L109.
Specifications
Year: 1985
Manufacturing Altdorf; Thun - Switzerland
Netherlands; Switzerland; United Kingdom
- Area Effect
Overall Length:
97 mm (3.82 in)
Weight (Unloaded):
1,025.15 lb (465.00 kg)
Sights:
Not Applicable
Action:
Timed Fuse Explosive; Thrown
HG 85 - Base Series Designation
L109 - British Army Designation; additional safety clip.
L110 - British Army Practice Grenade of the L109 series.
Nr300 - Dutch Army Designation; similar to British L109.
Nr330 - Dutch Army Designation
The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com.
Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world and WDMMA.org, the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft.
Netherlands; Switzerland; United Kingdom
