GRENADE ADAPTERS

GRENADE ADAPTERS

Since the First World War grenades have been projected from rifles in an attempt to gain greater ranges. During WWI, grenades were normally designed as either rifle or hand grenades, but some were able to be used in both roles. This involved some type of modification to the grenade, in many cases it simply involved screwing a rod into the bottom of the grenade, sometimes a disc was used for firing from a cup discharger as in the case of the Mills bomb.

During WWII, the Americans mainly, developed adapters to convert normal hand grenades into rifle grenades. This method has been used since and may still be in use in some countries. There are many adapters throughout the world and this page will give a small selection of them.

American

	Adapter, Grenade Projection, M1 Used to project the Mk. II or Mk. 2A1 grenade. It has four gripping claws that engage into the grooves in the body of the grenade. The safety lever is fitted through the retaining clip on the longer claw.
	Grenade, Rifle, Fragmentation, Impact M17 Designed during WWII the M17 impact grenade is a cross between and adapter and grenade. The tail is designed to screw into the body of the Mk. 2A1 grenade converting it into an impact grenade. An impact fuze is contained in the top of the tail.
	Adapter, Grenade Projection, M1A1 Designed to project egg shaped grenades, specifically the M26 and later the M34 WP grenade. These adapters have only three gripping claws. The safety lever fits into the retaining clip on the longer claw. The fins are constructed from three pieces spot welded together.
	Adapter, Grenade Projection, M1A2 A modification of the M1A1, this adapter has a different set of fins that are made from a single piece stamped out of sheet metal. The top of the launching tube is also reinforced. The block of wood visible in the photo is designed to protect the arming clip during transit. It is removed prior to use.
	Adapter, Grenade Projection, M1A2 This adapter was modified from M1 adapters during Viet Nam. The tube and fins from older M1 adapters were fitted with the cup and claws of the M1A1 adapters to convert them to M1A2 adapters. It differs from the standard M1A2 in the fins, there is no reinforcement at the top of the tube and there are four threaded holes visible from the original four gripping claws.
	Designation Unknown This appears to be an adapter similar to the M17 tail attachment but designed for Chemical grenades. A fuze mechanism, likely impact, is contained in the top portion of the tail tube.
	Adapter, Grenade Projection, Chemical, M2 Designed to adapt various chemical grenades, (smoke or gas) for projection. The grenade was clipped into the short claws that gripped the seams on the bottom of the grenade. The arming band was slipped over the grenade and over the bottom of the grenade safety lever holding in in place. When fired the shock of firing caused the band to slip down releasing the lever. Constructed with the same fin type as the M1 adapter.
	Adapter, Grenade Projection, Chemical, T2E1 The markings on this adapter indicate it is a trials version of the M2A1. Made in October of 1944 it remained in storage until October 1968 when I was pulled out and inspected for use, likely for use in Viet Nam. It is similar to the M2 adapter but has the single piece fin assembly and has a reinforcing disc under the disc on top of the launching tube.