Like other military powers during the First World War (1914-1918), the Russian army adopted the design of the "hand grenade" as an anti-infantry measure. In service with the Russian Imperial Army, this became the "Type 1914", a weapon designed by Vladimir Rudutovsky that was an improvement on the earlier Type 1912.
The grenades were filled with picric acid or TNT, depending on the production model, and were used for decades before a successor was finally introduced.
The basic function of the Model 1914 is based on a timed fuse delay of 4 to 5 seconds. The "stick" nature of the grenades popular during World War I made it possible to hold the base with one hand as a handle and operate the safety catch with the other.
Once the grenade is released, the grenade is activated and ready to be thrown - the safety pin comes off when the grenade detonates. The total length of the grenade reaches 235 mm, the diameter is 45 mm, and the weight varies from 500 grams to 780 grams, depending on the production model.
The series has three main forms: the basic concussion grenade is the Model 1914, followed by the larger and slightly heavier Model 1917, which was developed as a chemical weapon (releasing chloropicrin around the blast area). The Model 1914/30 was an interwar development that basically took over the design of the Model 1914 and filled it with TNT instead.
By attaching a thin metal sleeve, the grenade can be further transformed into a fragmentation weapon - albeit at the expense of added weight.
Type 1914 and its derivatives were used in combat service during World War I (until Russian withdrawal in 1917) and during World War II (1939-1945), which is now due to flying the Soviet flag Lots of traffic. The examples captured by the Germans (mainly 194/30 models) were renamed HG 336(r).
The 1914 model was replaced in Red Army service by the RGD-33 (Sharded Staff) and RGD-5 (Sharded Egg) models, although its training role was reduced by the 1980s.
- Area Effects
- Professional roles
235 mm (9.25 in)
235 mm (9.25 in)
1.10 lbs (0.50 kg)
Not applicable.
safety pin; timer
1 time per minute
Model 1914 - Name of the base series; original production model with picric acid filling.
Type 1917 - Chemical grenade.
Models 1914/30 - 1930 models; TNT filled.