No. 5 Grenade

[Ed Storey]

I did a quick search through some primary source material I own and found this published in; Bomber’s Training and Application of Same in Trench Warfare, Lieut. J.R. Ferris, 63rd Battalion, 1916.

The action of the grenade is that, after the safety pin is withdrawn, on throwing the grenade the lever swings outward under the pull of the striker pin spring thus releasing the a striker which fires the cap. The safely fuse burns less than five seconds and then fires the detonator.

Considering the money and resources dedicated to these major 'art gallery' style exhibits, it is appalling to see that the facts relating to the basics of how a grenade functions could be so misconstrued. Add to this that the grenade being displayed doesn't even match the text and you have to wonder what else is incorrect.