BACKGROUND: The high explosive, concussion, M24 stick grenade was a modification of the WWI German M1915 stick grenade and was to become the most common grenade used by Germany during WWII. Modifications of the M24 resulted in the longer M39 grenade in 1939 and the M43 grenade with a different fuze insertion configuration in 1943. The M24, M39 and M43 grenades were all armed with TNT with a four to five second time delay fuse and had an effective radius of approximately twelve to fourteen yards. Both the M24 and M39 stick grenades were activated by a detonator and a friction fuse which were secured to a pull, activation cord with a porcelain bead secured to it’s end for a secure grip. The detonator, friction fuse and the pull cord with the porcelain bead were all housed in the hollowed out wooden handle of the grenade which had a screw off bottom cap. When the handle’s cap was removed the cord and bead would hang below the handle for easy access.

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: Two, molded, off-white, natural porcelain construction M24/M39 stick grenade beads with a central circular hole for the activation cord. The bead shows moderate age and usage toning.