WW1 US ARMY MKI HAND GRENADE W/ MKII FUZE WWI

Rare WWI US Army MKI hand grenade body is marked 0 4 with a MKII fuze. Grenade is INERT and in very good condition Overview The MK 1 is a time-fused fragmentation grenade and has 32 serrations on it. To start the fuse, the user has to pull the safety pin, then push off the cap on top of the grenade. Right before throwing the user has to move the switch on the lever away from the grenade in order to start the fuse. History When American forces entered World War I, they lacked a fragmentation grenade of their own. American forces often received either the Mills bomb or the French F1 grenade.[2] When it came time to make a grenade, American designers looked to the F1 grenade for inspiration.[citation needed] In 1917, the Mk 1 grenade was created. However it became apparent that the Mk 1 grenade was quite difficult to use in the field. The grenades were often not ignited properly before being thrown, and enemies would return the grenade this time properly lit. The MK 1 was immediately recalled and production stopped. The Mk 2 design was created as an improved Mk 1 and was used before World War I ended. Unused Mk 1 parts were used to make Mk 2 grenades while factories were retooled to make the Mk 2.