Grenade Percutante Nr.1 (Pear Grenade)

Impact-Based Infantry Hand Grenade

France | 1915

"The Grenade Percutante Nr.1 - or Pear Grenade - was finally made available to French infantry in May of 1915."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 11/01/2016 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

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There were several projects during World War 1 (1914-1918) designed around the development of an impact-based hand grenade. Hand grenades grew in considerable value for world powers of the period, particularly since the war had bogged down into Trench Warfare before the end of 1914. The Germans found some success in the field with their "Turtle" grenade and the French attempted to respond in turn with the "Pear" - formally known as the "Grenade Percutante Nr.1", also known as the "P1".

When the war opened, the French had to rely on several foreign grenade types so the P1 represented a shift to a homegrown product. Its design was attributed to Billant whose name was attached to other grenade-related developments of the period.

Construction of the new grenade involved an iron body, smooth on the outside and grooved on the inside for maximum fragmentation. A lead plug was inserted at the base with the igniter set over the top of the grenade. A metal "spoon" was set along the side of the grenade and formed part of the operation process. A thin wire acted as a safety device that had to be severed prior to operation and the spoon-shaped lever turned up. Once thrown and landed (hopefully on its base) a percussion pin moved against the detonator to complete the desired result.

In theory, this left little to no time for the enemy to pick up and throw the grenade back in the direction of the attacker.

The P1 grenade became available to French troops in May of 1915 and quickly became recognized by its shape as the "Pear" or "Spoon" grenade. However, it proved mildly satisfactory as accidental detonations were common and landing the grenade vertically was not always possible - if impossible under the pressures of the battlefield. As such this grenade design was viewed largely as unreliable but still saw considerable production figures for lack of anything better.

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Physical
The physical qualities of the Grenade Percutante Nr.1 (Pear Grenade). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1.21 lb
0.55 kg
Weight

Percussion-Based; Thrown; Fragmentation
Action

Not Applicable.
Caliber(s)

Single Use
Feed

Not Applicable.
Sights

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Grenade Percutante Nr.1 (Pear Grenade). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

65 ft
19.8 m | 21.7 yds
Max.Eff.Range

1
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Grenade Percutante Nr.1 (Pear Grenade) Impact-Based Infantry Hand Grenade family line.

Grenade Percutante Nr.1 - Base Series Designation

Pear Grenade - Alternative Name

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Grenade Percutante Nr.1 (Pear Grenade). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): State Factories - France

[ France ]

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Image of the Grenade Percutante Nr.1 (Pear Grenade)

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Design Qualities
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to requirements.

FIRE SUPPORT

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1

Going Further...
The Grenade Percutante Nr.1 (Pear Grenade) Impact-Based Infantry Hand Grenade appears in the following collections:

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