F1_grenade_(Russia)

F-1 grenade (Russia)

F-1 grenade (Russia)

Anti-personnel hand grenade

For other uses, see F1 grenade (disambiguation).

The Soviet F-1 hand grenade (Russian: Фугасный > Fugasnyy 1, "Explosive, Type No. 1") is an anti-personnel fragmentation defensive grenade. It is based on the French F1 grenade and contains a 60 g (2.1 oz) explosive charge (TNT). The total weight of the grenade with the fuze is about 600 g (21 oz).[2]

Quick Facts Type, Place of origin ...
Grenade cutaway and training sample (DOSAAF Museum, Minsk)
Russian MUV booby trap firing device. A zero-delay pull fuze which is normally connected to a tripwire. The MUV fuze is fully compatible with F-1 and RGD-5 grenades. Fitting an MUV fuze makes it easier to conceal the grenade when setting a boobytrap e.g. partial burial. Note that the detonator is usually threaded, so it can be screwed into the F-1 grenade body

Due to its shape and its yellow-green color, it is nicknamed the limonka (fem. 'little lemon'). It is also nicknamed Efka (Russian: Эфка) for the letter F.[3] It is similar to the American Mk 2 "pineapple grenade", which was also ultimately modeled on the French F-1.

F-1 simulation-training grenade is called УРГ (учебная ручная граната),URG (training hand grenade).

Fuse

The Universal'nyi Zapal, Ruchnaya Granata, Modernizirovannyi]] (UZRGM) (Russian for 'universal igniter, hand grenade, improved') fuse is a universal Russian type also used in the RG-41, RG-42, RGO-78, RGN-86 and RGD-5 grenades. The standard time delay for this fuse is 3.5 to 4 seconds. However, UZRGM fuze variants are available which give delays between zero (i.e., instantaneous, specifically for use in booby-traps) and 13 seconds. It is possible to hear a loud "pop" as the fuse ignites and begins to burn.

History

The F-1 was introduced during World War II and subsequently redesigned post-war. It has a steel exterior that is notched to facilitate fragmentation upon detonation and to prevent hands from slipping. The distance the grenade can be thrown is estimated at 30–45 m (98–148 ft). The radius of the fragment dispersion is up to 200 m (660 ft) (effective radius is about 30 m (98 ft),[4]). Hence, the grenade has to be deployed from a defensive position to avoid self-harm. About 60 percent of the grenade body pulverizes during the explosion, only 30 percent of the body splits into 290 high-velocity, sharp-edged splinters each weighing around 1 gram with an initial speed of about 700 m/s (2,300 ft/s).

Foreign copies

The F-1 grenade has been supplied to various Soviet allies and Third World nations over the years, including Iraq and other Arab nations, and there are different production variations according to country of origin (in terms of finish, markings and spoon/lever design). Though obsolete and no longer in production[citation needed], it can still be encountered in combat zones. A copy of this grenade, dubbed the RGG-91 has been manufactured between 1992-1996 in Lithuania, by small arms factory "Vytis".

See also

References

  1. [1]
    "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-08-21. Retrieved 2013-05-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. [2]
    Owen, J.I.H (1975). Brassey's Infantry Weapons of the World. New York, N.Y.: Bonanza. pp. 223–224. ISBN 0-517-242346.
  3. [3]
    Yu. Veremeev, "Происхождение "лимонки".
  4. [4]
    "Советская ручная граната Ф-1"
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