Grenade, Hand, Smoke, WP, M15

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Type- Smoke

Weight- 32 oz.

Length- 5 in. total

Diameter- 2.38 in.

Filling- 15 oz. WP

Igniter- M6A2, M6A3, M6A4D, M206A1, M206A2

Fuze Delay- 4-5 sec.

  

The M15 grenade was adopted as standard on 24 November 1942 and was used for many years after.  During the Korean War reports surfaced that the M15 was producing unsatisfactory results, when the grenade impacted in water filled rice paddies the effects of the WP were nullified.  An alternative method was required immediately.  The M15 was adapted to fit the Adapter, Grenade Projection, Chemical, T2E1 by means of a locally manufactured adapter.  The adapter was made by cutting off M7 grenade cans to a length of 2.5 inches and forcing them over the bottom of the M15 grenade.  The modified grenade could then be attached to the T2E1 adapter and fired from a rifle to obtain airbursts.  The deficiencies resulted in a project to develop a replacement that could also be fired from a rifle.  The M15 was redesignated as substitute standard on 30 April 1959 when the M34 was adopted as standard. 

 It appears that in WWII there were at least three body styles.  The first is made of 18 gauge steel in a cylindrical shape.  The bottom body is formed in one piece.  The top is heavier and welded to the bottom to form an airtight body.  The top has a threaded hole in the centre to accept the detonator well which acts as a seal after filling.  The igniter mechanism screws into the detonator well.  This appears to be the most common body type.  The second body type has the top formed in one piece with the bottom welded into the top section.  This type has the base divided into six pie shaped sections by grooves.  A bushing is screwed and welded into a hole in the top of the body to accept the detonator well and seal the body.  The igniter mechanism screws into the detonator well.  A final body type is made in one piece and has a bushing welded into the top to accept the detonator well and has a large filling hole in the bottom closed by a large plug.  The body is filled with 15 ounces of white phosphorous.  The fuze mechanism has changed a number of times over the life of the grenade.

 The body is painted grey with a yellow band around the body.  The body is marked above the band with “SMOKE WP” and below the band with the lot number and date of manufacture.  Later manufactured grenades are marked above the band with “SMOKE WP BURSTING TYPE”.   All markings are in yellow.

 When the grenade is thrown and the fuze functions, after a delay of 4-5 seconds the detonator bursts the body scattering the WP over an area of about 15 yards.  The WP ignites upon contact with the air forming a dense cloud of white smoke.  It also has a very effective anti-personnel effect.

M15 body type 1  
grenade

             
M15 body type 2  
grenade  
M15 body type 3  
grenade