OTO Hand Grenade Model 1935

History

The infantry units of the Italian Army in WWII relied on three grenades of different potency, designed according to the same principles, and manufactured at the same time by three different manufacturers: Breda, SRCM and OTO. All use a simple cylindrical TNT filler and are provided in a color-coded format to indicate their purpose: red for actual combat grenades, white (with a small red band) for practice, and black (or unfinished) for Inactive Instructions. All three were introduced in 1935 under the humble name of "Type 1935", and none actually stood out more than the other. Italian Army soldiers were not entirely satisfied with the limited fragmentation effect provided by these shells, and Allied soldiers who encountered this type would agree. While most fragmentation grenades in use at the time had sufficient penetration for clearing enemy positions etc., the Italian grenade had a limited range, allowing a soldier to throw his 1935 into an enemy position and quickly follow it without worry Take care of the explosion that comes with it - that's its limited impact.

It proved more practical as an offensive assault grenade to get shock data than an infantry clearing device.

The official name of the OTO design is "Bomba a Mano, OTO Modello 1935", reflecting its intended effect on the Italian army ("manual bomb"), manufacturer ("OTO") and year of release ("1935") Specified. Its shape is consistent with the others, and it features a cylinder containing a TNT filler, fragmentation projectile, and igniter.

The fuselage has a flat seat base and a round cap over the top of the buckshot for the desired fragmentation effect. Overall, the OTO Type 1935 is very similar to Breda in form and function, except for its black pointed cap (as opposed to Breda's flat, unfinished cap).

Of all the WWII Italian grenades, the 1935 Breda model was more durable than the others and was in use until the 1960s. At the time, a more traditional form of sharding was employed.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes