No. 16 Oval Grenade

History of the No. 16 Oval Grenade

During World War I, the UK introduced Hand Grenade No. 16 as a simpler and more reliable alternative to the less dependable No. 15 ball grenade. This oval-shaped grenade was designed for rapid production to meet the increasing demand during the war. It featured a basic design with a metal body housing a firing charge triggered by a spark.

The No. 16 grenade's fuse system included a safety cap, friction wire, body, delay mechanism, detonator, and paper charge holder. When the safety cap was pulled, it ignited a delay fuse, providing soldiers with 6-7 seconds to take cover before the explosion. Occasionally, a more water-resistant Bickford fuse was used for improved reliability. The paper charge holder prevented premature detonation, ensuring the safety of the soldiers.

While the UK supplied these grenades to the Russian army, they were withdrawn from service in 1915 due to issues with humidity sensitivity, unreliability, and ineffectiveness. They were replaced by the more powerful Mills bomb, which had a grooved surface to enhance its effectiveness. The No. 16 grenade later served as the inspiration for the Soviet F-1 "limonka" hand grenade, known as "lemons" due to their distinctive oblong shape, and shared a nickname with another British grenade developed by Captain Lemon of the British Army.

Specification

Base

Year of Service: 1915

Origins: UK

Categories: Frag Grenade

Manufacturer: State Factory - UK

Operators: UK

Roles

Fire Support

Ability to suppress enemy elements at a distance using direct or indirect fire.

Action

Manual operation; throw