WW1 Austro-Hungarian Army Rohr Stielhandgranate – POTATO MASHER GRENADE – INERT – VERY RARE!

Description

You are bidding on a VERY NICE and 100% INERT example of a WW1 Austro-Hungarian Army Rohr Stielhandgranate “Potato Masher” Grenade!

Many of the early hand grenades in use during the first few months of the war, across all the combatant nations, were improvised explosive devices. The Austro-Hungarian Army was no different. By the spring of 1915, improvised hand grenades were being replaced by not only the German Stielhandgranate, which the Austrians soon began importing in large quantities, but by other Austrian-manufactured stick grenades, and in particular the Rohr hand grenade. The Rohr hand grenade was a cast-iron cylinder concussion grenade, filled with explosive, and attached to a heavy cardboard handle (as opposed to the German Stielhandgranate, that featured a wooden handle). The head of the grenade was a cast-iron cylinder, considerably thicker than the German Stielhenadgranate, filled with explosive, and designed to kill through concussion. The ignition system was similar to the German Stielhandgranate, and featured a 7-second delay fuse. It would become the standard Austro-Hungarian grenade of the Great War.

Made of steel with a cardboard handle, this item is an EXCELLENT example!  Some marks and wear, but it retains most of its original paint and finish!  The handle is original to the head, and matches in overall condition. As the base cap is attached quite well, I have not taken it apart, for fear of damaging the cap. I have shown it in use in the last images. A VERY RARE and HIGHLY sought-after, it is a PERFECT item for any collection or display!