
Specifications
Year: 1915
Manufacturer(s): State Factories - UK
Roles: Area Effect;
Manufacturer(s): State Factories - UK
Roles: Area Effect;
Action: Manually-Actuated; Thrown
Caliber(s): Not Applicable
Sights: Not Applicable.
Caliber(s): Not Applicable
Sights: Not Applicable.
Operators: United Kingdom
Many observers thought the war that had started in July of 1914 would be over by Christmas though this notion was quickly disproven as 1915 rolled on and deaths continued to mount on both sides. British engineers went to work on a new infantry hand grenade and production of the type was swift. A timed friction fused detonation mechanism was selected for the design along with a cast-iron body that would fragment by way of an Ammonal filling (5.5 oz worth). A five-second fuse length was the norm though a nine-second duration was also developed for situation-specific actions. The operator removed a fuse cover and lit the fuse by way of a matchhead igniter. Outwardly, the grenade's design was spherical and smooth - certainly handier than the earlier No. 1 stick series.
Despite its rather basic appearance, the No. 15 series grenades were serviceable in combat and their relative simplicity allowed the line to be mass-produced in the hundreds of thousands. However, the No. 15 showcased its own shortcomings in time that included failed fuses influenced by dampness, weak fragmentation of the grenade body due to the excessive amount of filling, and overall size which limited the number carried forward by an infantryman. Some of these issues were remedied in the follow-up No. 16 Hand Grenade which adopted a handier oval shape with limited filling. However, these grenades still relied on the same temperamental ignition system and were also a limited success in service.
Variants / Models
• No. 15 Ball Grenade - Base Series Designation