BACKGROUND: The development and production of German army ordnance was under the supervision of the HwaA, Heereswaffenamt, (Army Ordnance Office), which was a subsection of the OKH, Oberkommando des Heeres, (High Command of the Army), and was responsible for testing, evaluation and eventual issue of all ordnance. The HwaA would issue all ordnance to a units Quartiermeister, (Supply HQ unit/Quartermaster), which contained the units Administration, Medical, Veterinarian, and Transport officer’s and its main responsibility was the control of all supplies to the forward troops including all vehicle fuel, and lubricant requirements as well as animal feed and rations and ammunition and accessories. Introduced in 1939, the M39 high explosive, offensive, concussion, egg hand grenade was a slightly larger version of the WWI egg grenade which had originally been introduced in 1916. The advantage of the M39 egg grenade was that its smaller size made it easier to carry in larger quantities and due to its shape most personnel could throw it further then the M24/M39 stick grenades. The thin sheet metal construction egg grenades were armed with roughly 112 grams, (4 ounces) of TNT giving it an effective explosive radius of roughly twelve to fourteen yards. The grenade was activated by a screw threaded ignition fuse that was inserted into a receiving port on the top edge of the grenade and provided a four to five second explosion delay. Regulations of May 23RD 1942 introduced a second pattern egg grenade which was identical to the first pattern with the addition of a metal ring secured to the bottom which was designed for attaching the grenade to the target or joining a group of grenades together although it was more commonly utilized to attach the grenades to the uniform or equipment. Additional regulations of September 19TH 1944 introduced a separate fragmentation sleeve for the egg grenades altering it from a purely concussion weapon to a more damaging fragmentation weapon.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Later pattern, (Circa 1942-1945) two piece, vertically oval, tooled and stamped, magnetic sheet metal construction, high explosive concussion, egg grenade with a raised, central, brazed, horizontal rim securing the top and bottom halves together. Retains a good portion of its original finish. Maker marked "evy 43". Fuse is dated for 1944.

Please note, due to Postal Regulations. De-activated firearms and Inert Ordnance may not be shipped outside of Canada.