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WORLD WAR TWO MINIATURE GERMAN STICK HAND GRENADE
- MODEL 24 (STIELHANDGRANATE 24):
From
all appearances, this is a very well executed 1/2 scale
World War II M24 German Stick Grenade -
Stielhandgranate 24.
It is 6 3/4" long and weighs 9.5 ounces - almost exactly
half of both measurements of the full sized originals.
Completely inert, and from all appearances it was
intended to stay that way, there is no way this could
have been altered to an explosive device without a
significant amount of work that would in effect destroy
it.
The
head is solid save for the central void into which the
wooden handle threads and the handle can be unscrewed
from the head. The wooden handle is contoured in the
same shape as the originals and the lower end is
threaded with a removable metal cap. Beneath the end
cap is a small white porcelain disc attached to a white
cotton cord that is anchored in the well of the handle,
but the cord does not pass through the handle as did the
ignition cord on the originals - the handle is solid on
this miniature as opposed to the originals which were
hollow to accommodate the ignition system.
The
top of the head and the wooden handle are both marked
with the Reich Waffenampt, including the swastika, with
the legend "Nr. 553" below each stamp. The inclusion of
the swastika in the stamped insignia leads me to believe
if this piece were indeed made in Germany, or perhaps
Austria, it was before 1945 as the use of the swastika
was prohibited in both countries for many years after
the war. The side of the head bears the same German
language labeling as the originals, an admonition to
insert the explosive capsule before use.
This is not one of the
currently made full sized reproductions, and after
considerable research I have been unable to locate
another example. From the feel of it, and the signs of
aging, I am given to think that it may well have been
World War Two era toy, or perhaps a factory
sample/presentation piece that an officer would display
on his desk. It is possible this could be a unique,
one-of-a-kind piece made on a lark at a machinist’s
bench, however given the exacting detail and adherence
to scale, this piece represents considerable thought,
time and effort and I am more inclined to believe they
were manufactured in at least a small production run.
In overall excellent
condition with no sign of wear or abuse, this unique
piece has survived the years very well.
This miniature grenade was
discovered in the collection of a World War Two US Army
veteran, but unfortunately it was offered for sale after
the man passed away and his family could offer no
information as to where, or under what circumstances he
came to possess it.
I have shown this piece to
several collectors experienced with World War Two German
ordnance, and with toys and children’s uniforms made
during the era of the Third Reich. They all agree that
it is definitely a product of that period, and one man
who has handled children’s pieces from that period
suggested it may have been made in Austria as were other
pieces he had handled. A second individual also opined
that Austria could well be the source country for this
piece.
Albeit, somewhat of an
enigma, this miniature grenade is a very special
offering and one that will certainly be a conversation
piece. SOLD
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