Mk 1 grenade
Encyclopedia
The Mk 1 grenade is a fragmentation hand grenade
used by American
forces during World War I
. According to its designers, it was to be the "simplest", yet most "fool-proof", grenade ever made . However, some major problems appeared when the grenade was used in the field, and it was declared obsolete before the war ended.
or the French F1 grenade
. When it came time to make a grenade, American designers looked to the F1 grenade for inspiration . In 1917, the Mk 1 grenade was created.
However, it became apparent that the Mk 1 grenade was quite difficult to use in the field. The grenades were often not ignited properly before being thrown, and enemies would return the grenade, this time properly lit . This was considered unacceptable. The MK 1 was immediately recalled and production stopped.
The Mk 2
design was created as an improved Mk 1 and was used before World War I ended. Unused Mk 1 parts were used to make Mk 2 grenades while factories were retooled to make the Mk 2.
Hand grenade
A hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
used by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
forces during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
. According to its designers, it was to be the "simplest", yet most "fool-proof", grenade ever made . However, some major problems appeared when the grenade was used in the field, and it was declared obsolete before the war ended.
Overview
The MK 1 is a time-fused fragmentation grenade and has 32 serrations on it. To start the fuse, the user has to pull the safety pin, then push off the cap on top of the grenade. Right before throwing, the user has to move the switch on the lever away from the grenade in order to start the fuse.History
When American forces entered World War I, they lacked a fragmentation grenade of their own. American forces often received either the Mills bombMills bomb
Mills bomb is the popular name for a series of prominent British hand grenades. They were the first modern fragmentation grenades in the world.-Overview:...
or the French F1 grenade
F1 grenade (France)
The F1 grenade is a hand grenade used by France during World War I and World War II.-Overview:The F1 was a grenade designed during World War I and used by French infantrymen at the time. Originally, the F1 was designed to use a lighter-based ignition system, but later it began using a percussion...
. When it came time to make a grenade, American designers looked to the F1 grenade for inspiration . In 1917, the Mk 1 grenade was created.
However, it became apparent that the Mk 1 grenade was quite difficult to use in the field. The grenades were often not ignited properly before being thrown, and enemies would return the grenade, this time properly lit . This was considered unacceptable. The MK 1 was immediately recalled and production stopped.
The Mk 2
Mk 2 grenade
The Mk 2 defensive hand grenade is a fragmentation hand grenade used by the U.S. armed forces during World War II and in later conflicts including the Vietnam War. The Mk II was standardized in 1920 replacing the Mk I of 1917. It was phased out gradually, the U.S. Navy being the last users...
design was created as an improved Mk 1 and was used before World War I ended. Unused Mk 1 parts were used to make Mk 2 grenades while factories were retooled to make the Mk 2.