Stick grenade - 1914-1916

The grenade was abandoned after the Napoleonic Wars, and used only for defence of forts in 1914. Once the front became fixed, however, they became essential for French soldiers, who were unable to respond to the many grenades thrown from enemy lines.

This makeshift grenade is based on a firecracker containing an explosive (melinite or cheddite), placed in a simple iron tube and attached with wire to a long wooden stick to improve range. These weapons were produced by soldiers on the front or second line using materials found in the field, and were standardized to an extent before being phased out in 1916. They were then replaced with more effective and sophisticated industrial weapons, including incendiary and fragmentation grenades.

Stick grenade, or “Third Army firecracker”, 1914-1916, wood, metal, 37 x 4 x 5.5 cm. Inventory no.: 2006.1.5434