Operating principle of the fuse. Hand fragmentation grenades and fuses used with them

F1 (GRAU index - 57-G-721 ) - hand-held anti-personnel defensive grenade. Designed to defeat manpower in defensive combat. Due to the significant radius of scattering of fragments, it can only be thrown from behind cover, from an armored personnel carrier or from a tank.

The names “F-1” and the slang “lemon” came from the French fragmentation grenade F-1 model 1915 weighing 572 grams and the English Lemon system grenade, which were supplied to Russia during the First World War. Another possible origin of the slang name is its shape, which resembles a lemon.

Initially, F-1 grenades were equipped with F.V. Koveshnikov's fuse. In 1941, E.M. Viceni and A.A. Bednyakov developed a universal fuse UZRG; after the war it was modified and serves to this day under the name UZRGM (universal fuse for hand grenades, modernized).

The first version of the F-1 defensive fragmentation grenade was developed on the basis of the French F-1 hand grenade of the 1915 model and the English Lemon system grenade, which were in service with the Russian army during the First World War (hence the designation F-1 and the common name “limon”; the name is often mistakenly deciphered as “high-explosive, first”, and the name is derived from the ovoid shape of the body). The Russian version was used with a remote fuse (fuse) of the Koveshnikov system, which provided an explosion deceleration time of 6 s, but was equipped with a striker mechanism of a not very successful design. The first modernization of the F-1 grenade was carried out in 1939; in 1941, the fuse of the E. M. Vintseni system with a deceleration of 3.5-4.5 s was adopted for it, which received the name UZRG (unified fuse for hand grenades) and became (up to 80- 's) with a single fuse for hand fragmentation grenades of subsequent development.

The F-1 body is thick-walled, made of cast iron, with an external longitudinal-transverse large and deep notch. When a rupture occurs, up to 290 heavy fragments are formed, flying at a high speed (about 730 m/s) initial speed and maintaining a lethal effect at a range of up to 200 m. At the same time, 38% of the mass of the body is used to form lethal fragments, the rest is simply sprayed. The reduced area of ​​scattering of fragments is 75-82 sq.m. Throwing a grenade is done from behind cover. There is a training and simulation version of the URG, repeating the F-1 in shape and weight.

The explosive charge is 75 g (on some series of military-issue grenades it is reduced to 60 g), the total mass of the grenade is 600 g, the average throwing range is 30-35 m. Throwing grenades due to the large scattering of lethal fragments is carried out only from cover.

Schematic diagram of the F-1 grenade with UZRG fuse.

F-1 was massively supplied to various countries and was widely used in almost all wars and local conflicts from the 40s to the present. It is in service with the Russian Army and the armies of the CIS countries, and is copied in China (“type 1”), Poland (F-1), Chile (Mk2). Soviet fragmentation hand grenades, like American or French ones, were widely used in military conflicts of the 40-90s in different parts of the world.

The currently used F-1 consists of a housing, a bursting charge and a UZRGM (UZRGM-2) fuse. The thick-walled body is made of cast iron with an external notch. The hole for the fuse is closed with a plastic plug when storing the grenade.

Schematic diagram of the UZRG fuse device.

Design

The F-1 grenade has the following tactical and technical characteristics.

• Throwing range: 35-40 m.
• Shrapnel damage radius: 30 m (most likely the enemy will be hit by shrapnel), 200 m (maximum flight range of shrapnel)
• Fuse deceleration time: 3.2-4.5 seconds.
• Number of fragments up to 300 pcs.

The F-1 grenade is a hand-held anti-personnel, long-range defensive fragmentation grenade. Its design turned out to be so successful that it has existed to this day without fundamental changes. The design of the fuse was slightly changed and modified in order to increase operational reliability.

• Manual- delivered to the target by throwing the soldier’s hand.
• Anti-personnel- designed to defeat enemy personnel.
• Fragmentation- the defeat is carried out mainly with the help of fragments of the metal body of the grenade.
• Defensive- the radius of scattering of fragments exceeds average range throwing a grenade using the muscle strength of a fighter, which necessitates throwing a grenade from cover in order to avoid being hit by fragments of one’s own grenade.
• Remote action- the grenade explodes some time after the throw (from 3.2 to 4.2 seconds).

Like most anti-personnel grenades, the F-1 consists of 3 main parts.

• Fuse. The grenade has a universal fuse UZRGM (or UZRG), which is also suitable for RG-41, RG-42, RGD-5 grenades. The UZRGM fuse differs from the UZRG by changes in the shape of the trigger guard and the design of the striker, which made it possible to reduce the frequency of weapon failures.
• Explosive. The explosive charge is 60 g of TNT. It is possible to equip with trinitrophenol. Such grenades have increased destructive power, but their shelf life in warehouses is strictly limited; after expiration, the grenade poses a significant danger. The explosive block is insulated from the metal body with varnish, paraffin or paper. There are known cases of equipping grenades with pyroxylin mixtures.
• Metal shell. Externally, the grenade has an oval ribbed body made of steel cast iron, the profile resembles the letter “Zh”. The body is a complex casting, poured into the ground, and possibly die casting (hence the shape). Initially, the fins were created to produce fragments of a certain size and mass during an explosion; the fins also perform an ergonomic function, facilitating better retention of the grenade in the hand. Subsequently, some researchers expressed doubts about the effectiveness of such a system for forming fragments (cast iron is crushed into small fragments regardless of the shape of the body). Cutting the body makes it easier to tie the grenade to a peg. The total weight of the grenade with fuse is 600 g.

The composition of the UZRG fuse includes, in addition to the body itself, the following elements:

• Safety pin, which is a ring with two pieces of wire, which, passing through the holes in the fuse body, are secured by extension in the hole on the opposite side of the fuse and protect the pin from accidental falling out. In this case, the pin blocks the firing pin, preventing it from hitting the detonator capsule.
• Striker It is a metal rod, pointed on the side directed towards the capsule, and having a protrusion on the opposite side, with which it holds the trigger guard. Also, a shock spring is attached to the firing pin, ensuring its impact on the primer.
• Trigger guard- a curved metal plate, which, after removing the safety pin, blocks the firing pin in its original position. After the grenade is thrown, the trigger guard is pushed out by the pressure of the firing pin spring, which hits the primer, activating it.
• Capsule ignites the retarding fuse, which, after burning for some time, directly activates the detonating mixture - the grenade is detonated.
• Slowing wick creates a time interval between the throwing and detonation of a grenade.
• Detonating mixture detonates the grenade's explosives.

Usage

To use a grenade, you need to straighten the antennae of the safety pin, take the grenade in your right hand so that your fingers press the lever to the body. Before throwing a grenade, insert the index finger of your left hand into the pin ring and pull it out. The grenade can continue to remain in the hand for as long as desired, since until the lever is released, the firing pin cannot break the primer (in principle, if the need to throw a grenade has disappeared and the pin has not been thrown out, it can be inserted back (without releasing the lever!); after bending the tendrils, the pomegranate pins are suitable for normal storage). After choosing the moment of the throw and the target, throw a grenade at the target. At this moment, the lever will rotate under the influence of the striker spring, releasing the striker, and fly off to the side. The drummer will puncture the primer and after 3.2 - 4.2 seconds an explosion will occur.

The grenade is designed to destroy manpower and unarmored vehicles. The damaging factors are the direct high-explosive action of the explosive and the fragments formed when the metal shell of the grenade is destroyed.

Labeling and storage

The combat grenade is painted green (khaki to dark green). The training and simulation grenade is painted black with two white (vertical and horizontal) stripes. In addition, it has a hole at the bottom. The fighting fuse has no color. In the training-imitation fuse, the pin ring and the lower part of the pressure lever are painted scarlet.

F-1 grenades are packed in wooden boxes of 20 pieces. UZRGM fuses are stored in the same box separately in two metal hermetically sealed jars (10 pieces per jar). Box weight - 20 kg. The box is equipped with a can opener designed to open a can of fuses. Grenades are equipped with fuses immediately before the battle; when transferred from the combat position, the fuse is removed from the grenade and stored separately.

The purpose of packaging fuses in sealed containers is to ensure maximum safety during the entire storage period, to prevent corrosion and oxidation of the components of the detonating mixture.

Tactical features of combat use

In open areas, the effective range of destruction of the enemy when a grenade explodes directly with the high-explosive action of ammunition is 3-5 meters. At a distance of up to 30 meters, the further the enemy is from the center of the explosion, the lower the chances of him being successfully hit by shrapnel. The chances of injury from grenade fragments remain at a distance of up to 70-100 meters, but this statement is true only for large fragments of the shell. The larger the fragment, the higher its potential damage range. The initial speed of grenade fragments is 700-720 meters per second, the average mass is 1-2 grams, although both larger and smaller ones are found.

The characteristics of the damaging factors of grenades naturally determine the areas of application in modern conflicts. Grenades have the greatest effect indoors and confined spaces. This is due to the following factors. Firstly, in a relatively small room, up to 30 meters in size, the entire space is in the destruction zone of fragments, and fragments can also ricochet off the walls of the ceiling and floor, which again increases the chances of hitting the enemy, even if he is in cover. Secondly, the high-explosive effect of a grenade in a closed room is multiplied many times over, causing concussion, barotrauma, disorienting the enemy, which allows one to take advantage of the moment to enter the room and use other weapons to destroy it.

The F-1 grenade is more effective compared to offensive grenades when storming confined spaces and premises; due to its higher mass it gives more quantity fragments and has a more pronounced high-explosive effect, all this makes it more likely to incapacitate the enemy.

Tactical features of sabotage use

Also, F-1 grenades are often used when setting tripwires, this is due to the number of fragments, which increases the chances of hitting the enemy, and a reliable fuse, which will not be damaged by prolonged exposure to unfavorable conditions before the trap is triggered. In special forces, the F-1 grenade is “modified”; before installation as a trip wire, the detonating charge is cut off and the fuse is removed. Thus, achieving an almost instantaneous explosion and depriving the enemy of 3.2 - 4.5 seconds. for salvation.

Application in military conflicts

At the beginning of World War II, grenade bodies were filled with explosives available instead of TNT; Searchers find grenades filled with black powder in the Leningrad area. A grenade with this filling is quite effective, although less reliable.

During the Great Patriotic War F-1 was widely used on all fronts.

In the late 30s and early 40s of the 20th century, tactical instructions for infantry units recommended the F-1, including as an anti-tank weapon. Several grenades were tightly tied into a bag so that the detonator of one of them remained outside, the bag was thrown under the tracks or wheels of enemy armored vehicles in order to disable the chassis. Subsequently this method is not widely used due to its relatively low effectiveness.

F1 in cinema

In action films, you can often see grenades suspended from a safety pin ring on a belt or vest. In reality, a sane person will not do this: during a battle you have to move over rough terrain, where there is a high risk of something catching on a grenade and pulling the safety pin out of it. After this, the grenade will quite naturally explode, most likely destroying the fighter or at least unmasking him. During combat, grenades are kept in a grenade pouch or unloading vest, and in their absence, in clothing pockets. And all because the directors are either idiots or skimp on competent military consultants. In general, the problem of all kinds of film blunders on the topic of weapons and their combat use- a separate topic for a very long and quite funny conversation.

In feature films you can often see the main character effectively pulling the pin of a grenade with his teeth. In reality, in most cases, such an action will lead to tooth loss or severe damage to the enamel, at a minimum. This is due to the fact that significant physical effort is required to remove the safety pin: this is done deliberately to prevent accidental detonations of grenades. The Russian Dental Association "STAR" strongly recommends: do not remove the pin of a grenade using your own teeth.

In many Hollywood action films, you can see a flash of flame and puffs of smoke accompanying a grenade explosion and hear the roar of the explosion. In fact, detonating a grenade in an open area is a sharp, abrupt bang, after which a rare cloud of gray smoke remains. The pyrotechnic effects observed in films are achieved by the explosion of a flammable mixture: for example, diesel fuel and a small explosive charge; it's much safer and more spectacular.

Also in many films you can see how a grenade falls on a group of people, scattering them in different directions, killing most of them. In practice this is far from the case. When a grenade is detonated, a powerful blast wave is not generated: indeed, people located within a radius of 2-3 meters from the explosion site receive barotrauma, concussion, and often fall to the ground, but no one is thrown ten meters away from the explosion site. The fragments only affect those directly close to the explosion site. Having a small mass and low penetrating ability, the vast majority of fragments are not capable of penetrating the human body. This is the basis of the principle of saving comrades by covering a grenade with your body.

In most films and many illustrations, the F-1 grenade is black, which creates the impression that the black color of the grenade is standard. In fact, the black color means that the grenade is training or is a dummy; combat grenades are painted green.

Advantages

Due to its simple and reliable design, the F-1 grenade has been in service for about 70 years without significant changes and will probably not be removed from service for a long time. The advantages that ensure such a long service life are as follows:

• A body of natural crushing, from which destructive elements are successfully formed even when the metal jacket is damaged.
• The remote igniter has a relatively simple design and is highly reliable.
• The all-metal monolithic body is easy to manufacture and can be manufactured at almost any industrial enterprise, even non-specialized ones. The body material (steel cast iron) is very cheap.
• The simplicity of the internal design allows, in war conditions, to use any available explosive instead of standard TNT.

Flaws

The disadvantages of this grenade are mainly due to the obsolescence of its design, and not to design flaws. These include:

• The corrugation of the case cannot ensure the uniform formation of fragments (the very idea of ​​​​forming fragments of a predictable size due to the corrugation of the case turned out to be incorrect).
• The remote fuse does not lead to an explosion when it hits the target, but fires after some time (this property any remote fuse, and not just UZRG).
• The grenade is relatively heavy, which somewhat reduces the maximum throw range.

Design, principle of operation and performance characteristics of manual

pomegranate

2.2.1. Operating principle and design of hand grenades

The grenade consists of: 1) body;

2) explosive charge;

3) fuse (fuse).

Remote-action grenades are equipped with a unified device common to all types of grenades. This device is called an igniter. The fuse serves to initiate an explosion of the grenade charge by igniting the detonator capsule. Modern Russian grenades use unified fuse for hand grenadesmodernized(UZRGM) (Fig. 112)

The UZRG, which was previously in service, is prohibited for combat and training use. The fuses are always in a firing position. It is strictly prohibited to disassemble fuses and check the operation of the striking mechanism.

UZRGM is a hollow metal sleeve containing:

Impact mechanism;

Primer-igniter;

Flame retardant;

Detonator cap.

The fuse of the UZRGM grenade consists of a striking mechanism and the fuse itself.

Fig. 112. UZRGM grenade fuse:

a - general view; b - in section; 1 - impact mechanism tube; 2 - connecting sleeve; 3 - guide washer; 4- mainspring; 5 - drummer; 6 - striker washer; 7 - release lever; 8 - safety pin; 9 - retarder bushing; 10 - moderator; 11 - igniter primer; 12 - detonator capsule

Impact mechanism serves to ignite the igniter primer. It consists of a hammer tube, a connecting sleeve, a guide washer, a mainspring, a firing pin, a firing pin washer, a trigger lever and a safety pin with a ring.

Impact tube is the basis for assembling all parts of the fuse.

Connecting sleeve serves to connect the fuse to the grenade body. It is placed on the bottom of the impact mechanism tube.

Guide washer is a stop for the upper end of the mainspring and directs the movement of the firing pin. It is fixed in the upper part of the impact mechanism tube.

Action spring serves to provide the striker with the energy necessary to puncture the igniter primer. It is put on the striker and its upper end rests against the guide washer, and its lower end rests against the striker washer.

Drummer serves to puncture and ignite the igniter primer. It is placed inside the impact tube.

Striker washer is put on the lower end of the firing pin and is a stop for the lower end of the mainspring.

Release lever serves to hold the firing pin in the cocked position (the mainspring is compressed). The trigger lever is held on the hammer tube by a safety pin.

Safety pin passes through the holes in the eye of the trigger lever and the walls of the percussion mechanism tube. It has a ring for pulling it out.

Retarder bushing in the upper part it has a thread for connecting to the percussion mechanism tube and a socket for the igniter capsule, inside there is a channel in which the moderator is placed, on the outside there is a groove for attaching the detonator capsule sleeve.

Primer-igniter designed to ignite the moderator.

Moderator transmits a beam of fire from the igniter primer to the detonator primer. It consists of a pressed low-gas composition.

Detonator cap serves to explode the explosive charge of a grenade. It is placed in a sleeve attached to the bottom of the retarder bushing.

Operation of grenade parts and mechanisms

Before throwing a grenade. Take the grenade out of the bag, unscrew the plug from the tube, and screw the fuse in its place until it stops. The parts of the firing mechanism are in the following position: the firing pin is cocked and held in the upper position by the fork of the trigger lever, connected to the firing mechanism tube by a safety pin. The ends of the safety pin are spread apart and firmly hold it in the fuse.

When throwing a grenade. The grenade for throwing is taken in the hand so that the trigger lever is pressed against the body of the grenade with your fingers. Without releasing the lever, the safety pin is pulled out and the grenade is thrown at the target. After the pin is pulled out, the position of the fuse parts does not change; the firing pin is held in the cocked position by the trigger lever, which is released from the connection with the firing mechanism tube, but is pressed against it with the fingers. At the moment the grenade is thrown, the trigger lever separates from the grenade and releases the firing pin. The firing pin, under the action of the mainspring, strikes (pricks) the igniter primer and ignites it. The beam of fire from the igniter capsule ignites the moderator (the remote part of the fuse) and, having passed through it (after about 3.2 - 4.2 s), is transmitted to the detonator capsule. The detonator cap explodes and detonates the explosive charge of the grenade. The body of the grenade bursts, and fragments of the body and fuse fly in different directions.

1) RGD-5 hand fragmentation grenade(Fig. 113) - a remote-action grenade designed to destroy enemy personnel on the offensive and in defense. Throwing a grenade is carried out from various positions when operating on foot and on an armored personnel carrier (vehicle).

The RGD-5 fragmentation grenade is somewhat lighter and more convenient than the RG-42. RGD-5 consists of a housing with a tube for a fuse, a bursting charge and a UZRGM (UZRGM-2) fuse. The streamlined body is assembled from an upper and lower part, each of which includes an outer shell and a liner. The reduced dispersion area of ​​fragments is 28-32 sq.m. The igniter hole is closed with a plastic plug during storage.

The body of the grenade serves to house the explosive charge, the fuse tube, and also to form fragments when the grenade explodes. It consists of two parts - upper and lower.

The upper part of the body consists of an outer shell, called a cap, and a cap liner. An igniter tube is attached to the upper part using a cuff. The tube serves to attach the fuse to the grenade and to seal the explosive charge in the body.

To protect the tube from contamination, a plastic plug is screwed into it. When preparing a grenade for throwing, instead of a plug, a fuse is screwed into the tube.

The lower part of the housing consists of an outer shell, called the pan, and a pan liner.

Bursting charge

Fig. 113 Design of the RGD-5 hand fragmentation grenade:

1 - body; 2 - fuse; 3 - bursting charge; 4 - cap; 5 - cap liner; 6 - tube for igniter; 7 - cuff; 8 - pallet; 9 - pallet liner

2) RG-42 hand fragmentation grenade- a remote-action grenade designed to destroy enemy personnel on the offensive and in defense. Throwing a grenade is carried out from various positions when operating on foot and on

The RG-42 fragmentation grenade was developed in 1942 by S.G. Korshunov at GSKB-30 (at Plant No. 58 named after K.E. Voroshilov) as an easy-to-manufacture, small-sized and easy-to-use offensive grenade. The grenade (Fig. 114) consists of a simple cylindrical body with a tube for the fuse, a metal strip as a fragmentation element, a bursting charge and a fuse. The metal tape is cut into squares and rolled at the inner surface of the body in 3-4 layers. During an explosion, it forms light fragments and contributes to crushing the body. Along the axis of the body there is a tube for the igniter, which is closed during storage with a metal lid or plastic plug.

RG-42 was developed for the universal remote igniter of the UZRG system of the E.M. Viceni, now used with the UZRGM fuse (UZRGM-2).

Grenade body serves to place a bursting charge, a metal strip, a fuse tube, and also to form fragments when a grenade explodes. The body is cylindrical, has a bottom and a lid. A tube with a flange is attached to the cover to attach the fuse to the grenade and to seal the explosive charge in the body. When storing and carrying a grenade, the tube is closed with a plastic plug or metal cap.

Metal tape serves to form fragments when a grenade explodes; it is rolled up in 3-4 layers inside the body. To increase the number of fragments, the surface of the tape is cut into squares.

Bursting charge fills the body and serves to break the grenade into fragments.

Rice. 114. Design of the RG-42 hand fragmentation grenade:

1 - body; 2 - metal tape; 3 - bursting charge; 4 - fuse; 5 - tube with flange; 6 - bottom; 7 - cover

3) F-1 hand fragmentation grenade- a remote-action grenade designed to destroy manpower primarily in defensive combat. You can throw a grenade from various positions and only from behind cover, from an armored personnel carrier or a tank (self-propelled artillery unit).

The F-1 was developed on the basis of the French fragmentation grenade F-1 model 1915 (not to be confused with modern model F1 with a plastic body and semi-finished fragments) and an English grenade of the Lemon system (with a grating fuse), supplied to Russia during the First World War. Hence the designation F-1 and the nickname “limon”. The Red Army was adopted from remote fuse(“fuse”) Koveshnikov. Ignition of the remote composition primer is carried out by an impact mechanism. In 1939, F.I. was modernized. Khrameev. In 1941, instead of the Koveshnikov fuse, the UZRG fuse, which was easier to manufacture and handle, was adopted. In addition to the “lemon”, the grenade was also nicknamed “fenyusha” by the troops.

The currently used F-1 (Fig. 115) consists of a housing, a bursting charge and a UZRGM (UZRGM-2) fuse. The thick-walled body is made of cast iron with an external notch. The hole for the fuse is closed with a plastic plug when storing the grenade.

When the body breaks, it produces 290 large, heavy fragments with an initial expansion speed of about 730 m/s. In this case, 38% of the mass of the body is used to form lethal fragments, the rest is simply sprayed. The reduced area of ​​scattering of fragments is 75-82 sq.m.

Throwing a grenade is done from behind cover. There is a training and simulation version of the URG, repeating the F-1 in shape and weight.

Soviet fragmentation hand grenades, like American or French ones, were widely used in military conflicts of the 40-90s in different parts of the world.

Frame The grenade serves to place the explosive charge and fuse, as well as to form fragments when the grenade explodes. The body of the grenade is cast iron, with longitudinal and transverse grooves along which the grenade usually breaks into fragments. In the upper part of the body there is a threaded hole for screwing in the fuse. When storing, transporting and carrying a grenade, a plastic plug is screwed into this hole.

Bursting charge fills the body and serves to break the grenade into fragments.

UZRGM grenade fuse(see Fig. 112) is intended to explode the explosive charge of a grenade. Its structure and the operation of the parts and mechanisms of the grenade were described earlier.

Rice. 115. Design of the F-1 hand fragmentation grenade: 1 - body; 2 - bursting charge; 3 - fuse

4) Hand fragmentation grenades RGO and RGN(see Fig. 103)

RGD-5, RG-42 and F-1 had one significant drawback, which was the long period of time between throwing a grenade and detonating it. On sharply rugged terrain, in the mountains, this allowed the enemy, who noticed a thrown grenade in time, to take advantage of the nearest cover, and also created the threat of self-destruction of the thrower in the event of a grenade rebounding from an obstacle or rolling down a slope after being thrown. Therefore, it was necessary to replace the existing samples with new RGN (offensive) and RGO (defensive) grenades, developed at the Basalt State Research and Production Enterprise and equipped with a target sensor and triggered when hitting any obstacle.

Each grenade consists of a body, an explosive mixture charge, a detonation block and a fuse, unified for both models. The RGN body is formed by two hemispheres made of aluminum alloy with an internal notch. To increase the number of fragments, the RGS housing has two internal hemispheres in addition to two outer hemispheres. All four hemispheres are made of steel, the lower outer one - for the convenience of distinguishing a grenade from an RGN - has an external notch, the rest - an internal one. In the upper part of the housings, a cup for the fuse is rolled up with a cuff, which is covered with a plastic stopper during storage. A detonation block is placed under the glass in a recess inside the explosive mixture.

The design of the impact-remote fuse has become a significant novelty. The fuse is assembled in a plastic case and consists of a pin-safety mechanism, a target sensor, remote device, long-range cocking mechanism and detonating unit. The pin safety mechanism ensures safe handling and includes a hammer with a tip, a working spring, a cotter pin (pin) with a ring, a plug, a bar and a capsule. The firing pin rotates on an axis (like a trigger) under the action of a torsional spring. The target sensor ensures that the fuse is triggered when it hits an obstacle and consists of a spherical weight (inertial body), a sleeve, a sting, a spring and a bushing. The remote device slows down the detonation after a throw by 3.2-4.2 seconds and includes a bushing with a retarding compound and a detonator cap. The long-range cocking mechanism is designed to cock the fuse 1-1.8 seconds after the throw (i.e., at a distance from the thrower) and includes two bushings with pyrotechnic compounds, stoppers, a slider, a primer and a spring. The detonating unit is fixed in a glass and consists of a detonator capsule and a bushing. In the normal state, the firing pin is rotated to the upper (cocked) position and is held by a lever pressed against the body and secured with a cotter pin. The stoppers hold the engine with the primer in a position shifted to the edge of the fuse, so that the capsule is removed from under the tip and the engine spring is compressed. The load is pressed against the sleeve body, the movement of which is limited by the engine. Such a relatively complex design of the fuse ensures a combination of safe handling (6 stages of protection) with guaranteed operation.

After pulling out the cotter pin and throwing the lever, under the action of a spring, is thrown away from the grenade and releases the firing pin, which turns and pierces the primer with its sting. Beam of fire consists of a remote unit and a long-range cocking mechanism. After the last ones burn out (1-1.8 s), the stoppers are retracted by their springs to the edge of the fuse and release the slider, which moves under the action of its spring towards the fuse axis and places the primer opposite the tip of the target sensor. When meeting an obstacle, the load of the target sensor moves under the influence of inertia and causes a displacement of the sleeve, as a result of which the sting punctures the capsule. A beam of fire initiates a detonator cap. The latter transmits the detonation to the detonation block, causing the grenade charge to detonate. The spherical shape of the load and its fastening make it possible to “catch” the inertia component in a wide range of angles. In case of failure of the target sensor (fall into mud, snow, strictly “on its side”), the detonator cap will be initialized from the detonator cap of the remote device after the remote composition burns out (3.2-4.2 s). The operating temperature range of the fuse, like most Soviet weapons, is from -50 to +50 degrees C.

When an RGN grenade explodes, it forms 220-300 fragments with an average weight of 0.42 g with an initial expansion speed of 700 m/s, the reduced expansion area of ​​the fragments is 95-96 sq.m. RGO produces 670-700 fragments weighing 0.46 g and speeds up to 1200 m/s. 73% of the mass of the grenade body is used to form lethal fragments. The energy of RGO fragments is three times greater than that of RGN fragments, the reduced expansion area is 213-286 sq.m. “Controlled fragmentation” of the RGO provides a greater density of the damage field than with non- large quantities heavy fragments (like F-1 or Mils), and at the same time greater safety for the thrower and his unit due to the rapid loss of lethal energy by fragments.

RGO and RGN grenades are carried in a standard grenade bag, two at a time, or in equipment pockets. Packed in boxes of 20 pieces. High sensitivity fuse and big square scattering of fragments requires additional training of personnel in handling them.

2.2.2. Tactical and technical characteristics of hand fragmentation grenades

Table No. 12

MENSBY

4.2

Today I learned two things for myself that I had previously imagined completely differently. “Limonka” is not because it looks like a lemon. “Limonka” is not divided into squares in order to be better divided into fragments. Do you want to know how things really are on these issues?

In 1922, the artillery department of the Red Army began to restore order in its warehouses. According to the reports of the artillery committee, the Red Army at that time had seventeen grenades in service various types. Fragmentation defensive grenade There was no own production in the USSR at that time. Therefore, the Mills system grenade was temporarily adopted for service, the stocks of which were in large quantities in warehouses (200,000 units as of September 1925). As a last resort, it was allowed to issue French F-1 grenades to the troops. The fact was that French-style fuses were unreliable. Their cardboard cases did not provide tightness and the detonation composition became damp, which led to massive failures of grenades, and even worse, to bullet holes, which was fraught with an explosion in the hands.

In 1925, the Artillery Committee stated that the need for hand grenades of the Red Army was satisfied by only 0.5% (!). To rectify the situation, Artcom decided on June 25, 1925:

The Artillery Directorate of the Red Army to carry out a comprehensive test of existing samples of hand grenades currently in service.
It is necessary to make improvements to the 1914 model grenade in order to increase its lethality.
Design a Mills-type fragmentation grenade, but more advanced.
In F-1 hand grenades, replace Swiss fuses with Koveshnikov fuses.

In September 1925, comparative tests of the main types of grenades available in warehouses were carried out. The main criterion tested was the fragmentation damage of grenades. The conclusions made by the commission were as follows:

...thus, the situation on the issue of types of hand grenades for supplying RK spacecraft currently appears to be as follows: hand grenade model 1914, equipped with melinite, its effect is significantly superior to all other types of grenades and, by the nature of its action, is a typical example of an offensive grenade; it is only necessary to reduce the number of individual far (over 20 steps) flying fragments as much as the state of the art of this matter allows. This improvement is provided for in the attached “Requirements for new types of hand grenades.” Mills and F-1 grenades, provided they are supplied with more advanced fuses, are considered satisfactory as defensive grenades, while Mills grenades are somewhat stronger in action than F-1. In mind limited stocks these two types of grenades, it is necessary to develop a new type of defensive grenade that meets the new requirements...

In 1926, tests were carried out on F-1 grenades from those available in storage (at that time there were 1 million grenades of this system in warehouses) with a Koveshnikov fuse developed in 1920. Based on the test results, the design of the fuse was modified and after military tests in 1927, the F-1 grenade with a Koveshnikov fuse, under the name F-1 hand grenade with a fuse of the F.V. Koveshnikov system, was adopted by the Red Army in 1928.

All grenades available in warehouses were equipped with Koveshnikov fuses by the beginning of the 1930s, and soon the USSR established its own production of grenade bodies.

In 1939, engineer F.I. Khrameev modified the grenade - the body of the lemon became somewhat simpler and lost the lower window.

There is another version of the appearance of the F-1 grenade. In 1999, retired colonel Fedor Iosifovich Khrameev said in an interview with Kommersant Vlast magazine that in 1939 he designed the F-1 grenade.

In February 1939, I received an assignment to develop a defensive grenade... in Moscow I saw an album released by the Russian General Staff in 1916, which presented images of all the grenades used in the First World War. German and French were corrugated, egg-shaped. I especially liked the French F-1. It exactly corresponded to the task received: easy to throw, safe fuse, sufficient amount of fragments. The album contained only a drawing. I developed all working drawings. I had to suffer. Replaced the plain cast iron from which the F-1 was made with steel - to increase lethal force fragments.

Here's an interesting story:

As F.I. Khrameev said in an interview, preliminary tests of the grenade were minimal, only 10 prototypes were made, which were soon tested, and then the design was put into mass production:

Was some kind of selection committee created?

Not really! Again I'm alone. The head of the plant, Major Budkin, gave me a chaise and sent me to our training ground. I throw grenades one after another into the ravine. And on you - nine exploded, but one didn’t. I'm coming back and reporting. Budkin shouted at me: he left a secret sample unattended! I'm going back, alone again.

Was it scary?

Not without that. I lay down on the edge of the ravine and saw where the grenade lay in the clay. He took a long wire, made a loop at the end and carefully hooked it onto the grenade. Tugged. Didn't explode. It turned out that the fuse had failed. So he pulled it out, unloaded it, brought it, went to Budkin and put it on his table. He screamed and jumped out of the office like a bullet. And then we transferred the drawings to the Main Artillery Directorate (GAU), and the grenade was put into mass production. Without any experimental series

In Russia, Germany and Poland it was called “lemonka”, in France and England - “pineapple”, in the Balkan countries - “turtle”.

Since the grenade was developed on the basis of the French F-1 fragmentation grenade model 1915 (not to be confused with the modern F1 model with a plastic body and semi-finished fragments) and the English Lemon system grenade (Edward Kent-Lemon) with a grating fuse supplied to Russia during the First World War. Hence the designation F-1 and the nickname “limonka”.

In addition to the “lemon”, the grenade was also nicknamed “fenyusha” by the troops. With the advent of rifle-mounted and underbarrel grenade launchers the art of fighting with hand grenades began to be forgotten. But in vain. The effect on the target of low-fragmentation grenades cannot be compared with the work of the F-1 hand-held fragmentation grenade, known to both the military and the civilian population under the code name “limonka”. With minor design changes, this grenade is produced in different countries peace for 80 years. “Limonka” is the most powerful of all hand grenades in terms of the lethal effect of fragments and the most convenient to use.

The ribs on its body - the turtle - exist not at all for division into fragments, as is commonly thought, but for “grasping” in the palm, for ease of holding and the possibility of being tied to something when placed on a stretcher as a mine. The body of the F-1 grenade is cast from the so-called “dry” cast iron, which, when a high explosive (crushing) charge explodes, splits into fragments ranging in size from a pea to a match head, irregularly torn in shape with torn sharp edges. In total, up to four hundred such fragments are formed! The shape of the case was chosen this way not only for ease of holding. Until now, no one can explain why, but when a “lemon” explodes on the surface of the earth, fragments scatter mainly to the sides and very little upward. In this case, the grass is “mown down” completely within a radius of 3 m from the explosion site, complete destruction of the growth target is ensured within a radius of 5 m, at a distance of 10 m the growth target is hit by 5-7 fragments, at 15 m - by two or three.

Diameter - 55 mm
Case height - 86 mm
Height with fuse - 117 mm
Grenade weight - 0.6 kg
Explosive mass - 0.06-0.09 kg
Deceleration time - 3.2-4.2 sec
Radius of continuous damage - 10 m
The range of scattering fragments with lethal force, reaches 200

The design of the grenade turned out to be so good that it is still produced and is in service in many countries. Proof that the F-1 is a high-quality weapon can also be the fact that Chinese “craftsmen” took it as a prototype and began producing a fake in their own form. And this, as is known, best sign quality. In addition, the F-1 is also produced in Iran, also completely copying the Soviet model.

During the Great Patriotic War, the F-1 became the main anti-personnel grenade used in all branches of the military. Despite the fact that it is considered a fragmentation grenade, the F-1 was also used to blow up tanks by putting several grenades in one bag and throwing it under the track.

Another property of the “lemon” is its ability to be used as a tripwire mine. The F-1 was easy to install by pulling a tripwire, thereby eliminating the need to carry special mines, and this, especially for sabotage groups, was of great importance.

Films also added to the popularity of F1. This grenade is a must-have attribute of any “cinematic” battle. But the directors, using the F-1 in the frame, did not really think about the realism of what was shown in the films, so certain film mistakes began to be perceived as real facts, although they were not.

For example, you can very often see how “lemons” are worn on a belt or on the chest, hanging around them. But when moving over rough terrain, there is a high probability of getting caught on something and causing an involuntary explosion. Therefore, the grenade was carried either in a pouch or in pockets, but never openly. In addition, the pin in the frame is often pulled out with teeth. It won’t be possible to do this in real life, because the effort required to break the check must be considerable.

The “lemon” became the most popular weapon in the dashing 90s. Many groups used it along with the Kalashnikov assault rifle as their main impact force during gang warfare.

F1 once again proved the proverb “Everything ingenious is simple.” After all, having existed for more than 70 years, the grenade will remain in service for a long time.

Throughout history, man has created many different lethal means. No less effective along with machine guns, pistols, carbines, rifles and artillery pieces is a “pocket projectile” - a hand grenade. With the help of this explosive ammunition it is successfully incapacitated Combat vehicles and the enemy's manpower is destroyed. During the Great Patriotic War, Soviet soldiers widely used F-1 hand grenades. Today they are in service with the armies of the CIS countries, Africa and Latin America. Based on the Soviet model, copies were made by Iraqi, Chinese and Bulgarian designers. The great popularity of the F-1 grenade is due to its high combat qualities.

Humanity fights constantly and using the most deadly devices. The victims are both soldiers of the warring parties and civilians. Since the explosion of an F-1 grenade scatters many fragments in different directions, the number of dead and wounded may increase significantly. It is mainly the military who know what damaging factors a particular weapon has. It wouldn't hurt for civilians to be knowledgeable in this area either. Information about the device, principle of operation and tactics technical specifications F-1 grenades are contained in the article.

Acquaintance

F-1 is a hand-held anti-personnel defensive grenade. In the technical documentation it is listed under the index GRAU 57-G-721. This is an explosive ammunition with a significant scattering radius of fragments. Therefore, F-1 combat grenades can be thrown from shelters, from armored personnel carriers and tanks. The hand-held projectile is intended for use in defensive combat. It is delivered to the target manually by throwing it.

About the history of creation. How did it all begin?

In 1922, by order of the military leadership of the Red Army, an audit of artillery ammunition warehouses was carried out. At that time, the Red Army had seventeen types of grenades. However, among large assortment fragmentation-defensive product models domestic production it didn't turn out. The Red Army soldiers used grenades made according to the Mills system. At least 200 thousand units of such hand-held projectiles were stored in warehouses. French ammunition was also used - the 1915 F-1. However, this “pocket shell” had a very unreliable fuse. Since the cardboard case was not airtight enough, the detonation composition became damp, as a result of which French grenades often did not work or exploded in the hands of soldiers. The report to the military department of the Red Army indicated that the Soviet army was only 0.5% equipped with explosive devices of fragmentation-defensive type. In 1925, all explosive devices available in artillery depots were tested. The task of the expert commission was to choose the best option, which could later be used to design a Soviet grenade. After testing, the choice fell on the explosive devices of the 1914 Mills system and the F-1.

What was planned?

The Artillery Committee of the Red Army was assigned the following tasks:

• Upgrade the Mills grenade and make it bigger damaging properties.
• Design a similar fragmentation projectile.
• Modernize French F-1 grenades by replacing Swiss fuses with more advanced ones made in 1920 by F. Koveshnikov.

Result

In 1926, French F-1 grenades equipped with Koveshnikov fuses were retested. After successful tests and minor design modifications, this ammunition was adopted by the Red Army in 1928. From now on, the “pocket” projectile is listed as the F-1 grenade. Koveshnikov's fuse was used until 1942. During the Great Patriotic War it was improved. After the war, a more advanced and reliable standard unified fuse (UZRGM) was designed for the grenade, developed by Soviet designers E. Viceni and A. Bednyakov.

About the design

F-1 consists of the following parts:

• Fuse. The F-1 grenade is equipped with a universal fuse, which is also suitable for models such as RGD-5 and RG-42.
• Explosive (EV). TNT is used for F-1 equipment. For one grenade, 60 g of this explosive is provided. Trinitrophenol can also be used. In this case, according to military experts, the grenade has increased destructive capabilities. However, F-1 with trinitrophenol cannot be stored for a long time, since such ammunition is considered very dangerous after its expiration date. Explosive blocks are isolated from metal cases using varnish, paraffin or paper. It is also possible to equip the projectile with a pyroxylin mixture.
• Metal shell. The explosive device is contained in a special ribbed housing oval shape. Steel cast iron is used to make the shell. The purpose of the fins is to form fragments of a certain size and mass during an explosion. In addition, due to the ribbed shape, according to experts, the F-1 is better to hold in the hand. However, some experts believe that such a design is inappropriate, since many small fragments are often formed during the explosion and crushing of steel cast iron. The fins, according to experts, do not in any way affect the effectiveness of the destructive elements.

The F-1 is often called the “lemon” by the military. According to one version, this slang name is due to the fact that the Soviet grenade is similar to the English hand-held ammunition of the Lemon system. It also looks like a lemon. Thanks to this shape, it is convenient to tie explosive devices to pegs. A photo of the F1 grenade is presented in the article.

About color design

Green colors (mostly khaki and dark green) are used to paint the casings of explosive devices. The F-1 training grenades have black metal casings.

Also, two white stripes must be present on the body of educational simulation products. Additionally, non-combat grenades have holes at the bottom. Battle fuses do not color. In the training models, the rings have pins and the lower parts of the clamping arms are scarlet.

About storage

F-1 grenades are contained in special wooden boxes of 20 pieces. Separate storage is provided for standardized fuses. They are placed in two sealed jars of 10 each and placed in the box with the grenades. Detonating mixtures in fuses packaged in this way do not oxidize and are reliably protected from corrosive processes. Attached to the box is one can opener, with which you can open cans of UZRG. Grenades are equipped with fuses only before use. At the end of the battle, the fuses are removed back and kept separately from explosive devices.

About the UZRG device

The unified fuse consists of the following elements:

• Safety pin. It is a ring to which two pieces of wire are attached. They are passed through a hole in the body and bent with reverse side fuse. Their task is to prevent accidental dropout of the pin, which is used to block the firing pin and prevent it from interacting with the igniter primer.
• Drummer. It is presented in the form of a metal rod, one end of which is pointed and directed towards the capsule. The second end is equipped with a special protrusion, through which the firing pin is connected to the trigger lever. The firing pin is equipped with a special spring.
• Release lever. It is presented in the form of a curved metal plate, the purpose of which is to block the striker after the safety pin is removed.
• Primer-igniter. Used to ignite the retarder.
• Detonating mixture. Contained in a detonator capsule. Used to detonate explosives.
• Moderator. Using this element, the igniter and detonator are connected in the grenade. The moderator is designed to transmit fire, namely detonation and explosion, after a certain time period.

How does it work?

The drummer is in a spring-loaded position and securely secured by the fuse plug. The upper end of the mainspring is in contact with the chamfer of the guide washer, and the lower end is in contact with the washer with which the firing pin is equipped. The safety lever is held in place by a special cotter pin. It is located on the safety pin. The purpose of the cotter pin is to prevent the lever from moving relative to the grenade body. Before operation, the safety pin is first removed. The lever is held securely. After the throw, it rotates, resulting in the release of the firing pin, which is under the influence of the mainspring. Then it hits the igniter primer, causing the retarder to ignite. As it burns out, the flame approaches the detonator, causing the hand-held projectile to explode.

About tactical features

According to experts, due to their characteristics, F-1 grenades pose a danger at a distance of up to 200 m. Complete destruction of manpower by shrapnel occurs within a radius of seven meters. At such a distance, even small fragments can be lethal. If the object is located at a distance (over a hundred meters), only the largest fragments of the body can catch it. The damaging elements move at a speed of 720 m/s. The optimal weight of one fragment is 2 g. When operating grenades in a combat situation, the following nuances are taken into account. F-1 is especially effective in small spaces, since fragments can ricochet off the floor and ceiling. In this case, the enemy will have no chance of salvation, even if he manages to take cover. In addition, the enemy can receive concussion and barotrauma from a grenade explosion. The disoriented enemy is then destroyed using another weapon.

About technical specifications

• The F-1 grenade weighs no more than 600 g.
• The diameter of the case is 5.5 cm, the height including the fuse is 11.7 cm.
• TNT is used as the main explosive.
• Explosive mass - 60 g.
• The grenade is delivered to the target manually. Throwing range - up to 60 m.
• The fuse is designed for a time period from 3.1 to 4.1 s.
• When an F-1 grenade is detonated, the damage radius is 50 m.
• The function of the damaging elements is performed by fragments of steel cast iron in the amount of 300 pieces.
• The F1 combat grenade is considered relatively safe at a distance of at least 200 m from the point of its fall.

About strengths

According to military experts, the F-1 grenade has the following advantages:

• Due to the special design of the body, during an explosion it naturally fragments with the formation of damaging elements.
• Due to its structural simplicity, the production of all-metal monolithic housings is possible on any industrial enterprises. Thanks to the use of steel cast iron, the production of F-1 grenades does not require large financial investments.
• In a combat situation, the projectile can be equipped with both standard TNT and any other available explosive.
• Judging by the reviews, with the help of this grenade you can successfully storm various mines and tunnels of medium diameter. According to experts, if F-1 is thrown into a well, after the explosion everything that was inside it will be thrown out along with the water.
• Due to the remote action, the F-1 can be thrown into the enemy’s shelter, using walls or other hard surfaces for this purpose.

About the cons

Despite the presence of undeniable advantages, the F-1 grenade is not without some disadvantages. Weaknesses include:

• When the “shirt” ruptures, too many small non-killable fragments remain. According to experts, approximately 60% of the hull mass has low efficiency. At the same time, too large fragments are formed, due to which the number of damaging elements with the optimal size is reduced.
• The large weight of the grenade negatively affects the maximum throw range.

About sabotage use

According to experts, with the help of F-1 grenades they place special bookmarks, which are also called trip wires. The hand projectile can remain visible.

However, F-1s are predominantly reliably camouflaged. A tripwire is an anti-sapper combination of two grenades connected by a cable or wire. Often the focus is on one of the munitions. It is neutralized by cutting the cable. At the same time, the second grenade goes off. They also make bookmarks from one F-1. However, according to experts, such stretches are ineffective.

The F-1 grenade has French roots and a long history. Under this designation, but in Latin transcription - F-1 - the grenade was adopted by the French army in 1915.

The French F-1 grenade had a percussion fuse. The simplicity and rationality of the design of the grenade body played a role - the grenade was soon adopted for service in Russia. At the same time, the impact fuse was not sufficiently reliable and safe to use and was replaced by a simpler and more reliable remote domestic fuse designed by Koveshnikov.

In 1939, military engineer F.I. Khrameev of the People's Commissariat of Defense plant, based on the model of the French F-1 hand fragmentation grenade, developed a sample of the domestic F-1 defensive grenade, which was soon put into mass production.

For the F-1 grenade designed by Khrameev, the cast iron body of the grenade was somewhat simplified; it lost the lower window.

The F-1 grenade, like the French F-1 model, is designed to destroy enemy personnel in defensive operations. With her combat use the throwing fighter needed to take cover in a trench or other defensive structures.

Initially, the F-1 grenade used a fuse designed by F.V. Koveshnikov, which was much more reliable and easier to use than the French fuse. The deceleration time of Koveshnikov's fuse was 3.5-4.5 seconds.

In 1941, designers E.M. Viceni and A.A. Poednyakov developed and put into service to replace Koveshnikov's fuse a new, safer and simpler in design fuse for the F-1 hand grenade. In 1942, the new fuse became common for the F-1 and RG-42 hand grenades; it was called UZRG - “unified fuse for hand grenades.” The fuse of the UZRGM type grenade was intended to explode the explosive charge of the grenade. The principle of operation of the mechanism was remote. After World War II, modernized, more reliable UZRGM and UZRGM-2 fuses began to be used on F-1 grenades.

The F-1 grenade consists of a body, a bursting charge and a fuse. The body of the grenade is cast iron, with longitudinal and transverse grooves along which the grenade usually exploded into fragments. In the upper part of the body there was a threaded hole for screwing in the fuse. When storing, transporting and carrying the grenade, a plastic plug was screwed into this hole. The explosive charge filled the body and served to break the grenade into fragments. The body served to connect the parts of the grenade and to hit the enemy with fragments during the explosion. To increase the number of fragments, the surface of the body was made corrugated. When the body ruptured, it produced 290 large heavy fragments with an initial expansion speed of about 730 m/s. At the same time, 38% of the mass of the body was used to form lethal fragments, the rest was simply sprayed. The reduced area of ​​scattering of fragments is 75 - 82 m2.

The fuse consisted of a fuse and an igniting (percussion) mechanism, assembled together in the frame of the fuse. In the walls of the frame there were holes for a safety ball and a safety pin.

The UZRG fuse consisted of an igniter primer, a remote composition and a detonator primer. The ignition mechanism consisted of a firing pin, a mainspring, a safety ball, a safety cap with an outer lever, a cap spring and a safety pin with a ring. The drummer was placed inside the frame. At the bottom, the striker had a firing pin, and on the side there was a semicircular recess for a safety ball. The deceleration time of the UZRG fuse was 3.2-4.2 seconds.

F-1 grenades were stored and transported without fuses, with blank plugs screwed in instead. The ignition mechanism of the fuse was always cocked, the firing pin was cocked, and the mainspring was compressed. The striker was held in the cocked position by a safety pin, which passes through the holes of the frame and striker, and by a safety ball, which with one half entered into the hole of the frame, and the other into the recess of the striker. The ball was held in this position by a safety cap.

To load a grenade you need: unscrew the blank plug, take the fuse and carefully screw it into the grenade hole.

To throw a grenade you need: take a grenade right hand and with your fingers firmly press the outer lever of the safety cap to the grenade body; while holding the lever, pull out the safety pin with your left hand; in this case, the firing pin and the safety cap are released, but the firing pin remains cocked, held by the safety ball; swing and throw a grenade.

The grenade was thrown from behind cover. Grenades were delivered to the troops in wooden boxes. In the box, grenades, handles and fuses were placed separately in metal boxes. There was a knife to open the boxes. The walls and lid of the box were marked, indicating: the number of grenades in the box, their weight, the name of the grenades and fuses, the manufacturer's number, the batch number of the grenades, the year of manufacture and the danger sign. All supplies of grenades and fuses, except for portable ones, were stored in factory closures. Soldiers carried grenades in grenade bags. The fuses were placed in them separately from the grenades, and each fuse had to be wrapped in paper or a clean rag. In tanks (armored personnel carriers, self-propelled artillery units), grenades and fuses separately from them were placed in bags.

The F-1 grenade was widely used during the Soviet-Finnish military conflict of 1939 - 1940, on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War, and in other wars and military conflicts. During the Great Patriotic War, soldiers affectionately called the F-1 grenade “fenyusha” and “limon” because it looked like a lemon in appearance. Usually, when conducting assault operations, one soldier had five to ten F-1 grenades. The F-1 grenade was also readily used as a trophy by German soldiers, since there were no similar defensive grenades in service with the Wehrmacht.

The production of F-1 grenades during the war years was carried out at plant No. 254 (since 1942), 230 (Tizpribor"), 53, in the workshops of the Povenetsky shipyard, a mechanical plant and a railway junction in Kandalaksha, the central repair workshops of the NKVD Soroklag, an artel "Primus" (Leningrad), other domestic enterprises.

During the war, many non-core enterprises and organizations were involved in the production of F-1 grenades. By order of the City Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks on December 28, 1941, production (casting and machining) of F-1 hand grenade cases was organized in the experimental workshops of the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute. In total, the workshops cast 11,000 cases. 5,000 unprocessed cases were delivered to plant No. 103, 4,800 of them were machined and transferred to the Pyatiletka factory. The order for the production of grenade casings was suspended on the instructions of the city committee of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks).

During the war, Leningrad enterprises mastered the production of a version of the fuse for a grenade using one of the brands of hunting gunpowder instead of special tubular gunpowder. In 1942, tests of such a fuse under the designation “PP-42” for the F-1 grenade were carried out at ANIOP (“Rzhev Test Site”). Grenades with RR-42 fuses were put into mass production only at enterprises in Leningrad. These implementations were temporary. There were other examples of unusual grenade production during the war.

Many inventions and design proposals are associated with the F-1 grenade. In August 1942, sergeant of the mortar battalion of the 284th Infantry Regiment N.K. Deryabin developed the “flea grenade” project. It was intended to defeat enemy personnel. The composition of the “flea grenade” included: an expelling charge, a firing pin with a striker and a nut, and an F-1 grenade with the fuse removed. The grenade exploded in the air at a height of 10-15 meters. It was proposed to use a grenade with a parachute for mining. But Deryabin's system turned out to be too complicated. According to military experts, the project was not implemented due to lack of practical value.

To train military personnel in the handling of remote-action hand fragmentation grenades, the techniques and rules for throwing them, a training and simulation URG hand grenade weighing 530 g was created, outwardly similar to the F-1 combat grenade. The URG grenade is equipped with a UZRG fuse simulator.

The F-1 combat grenade is painted green (from khaki to dark green). The training and simulation grenade is painted black with two white (vertical and horizontal) stripes. In addition, it has a hole at the bottom. The fighting fuse has no color. In the training-imitation fuse, the pin ring and the lower part of the pressure lever are painted scarlet. Externally, the grenade has an oval ribbed body made of steel cast iron.

Another training split grenade F-1-A (57-G-7214U) was developed by the Training Instruments Plant No. 1 in January 1940. The grenade had a quarter cutout of the body; instead of an explosive, plaster was poured. It was intended to demonstrate the design of the F-1 combat grenade. The F-1-A grenade was used for training in the Red and Soviet armies for a long time. The F-1 grenade was widely used in military conflicts of the 1940-1990s in different parts of the world.

The disadvantages of the F-1 grenade are not so much related to this sample, but are due to the general obsolescence of this generation. Corrugation of the body, as one of the methods of specified crushing, cannot fully ensure the formation of fragments of a satisfactory shape and the optimal distribution of fragments by mass. The crushing of the hull is largely random. The advantages of a remote fuse include failure-free operation, independent of the impact energy when a grenade falls, and whether it falls on the ground, in snow, in water or in swampy soil. But its drawback is that it cannot ensure an instant detonation of a grenade when it touches the target: the retarder has a specified burning time.

Performance characteristics of F-1 grenades

And the F-1 grenade, as one of the outstanding representatives of the classic type of hand grenades with a solid cast iron body of virtually natural crushing and a simple, reliable remote fuse, cannot compete with modern grenades for the same purpose - both in terms of optimal fragmentation action and versatility of action fuse. All these problems are solved differently at modern technical, scientific and production levels. Thus, the Russian Army created a grenade (defensive hand grenade), largely unified with the RGN grenade (offensive hand grenade). The unified fuse of these grenades has a more complex design: its design combines remote and impact mechanisms. Grenade bodies also have significantly greater fragmentation efficiency.

However, the F-1 grenade has not been removed from service and will probably remain in service for a long time. There is a simple explanation for this: simplicity, cheapness and reliability, as well as time-tested are the most valuable qualities for a weapon. And in a combat situation, it is not always possible to counter these qualities with technical perfection, which requires large production and economic costs.