Grenades with fuses are so arranged (with sufficient length of fuse) to explode from 3 to 5 seconds after being ignited and thrown, giving the thrower plenty of time (when throwing from a trench) to bend down safe. Grenades, without fuses (but with detonators only) will explode on impact; for instance, in Grenade No. 1, Mark I, it is obvious when instructions (see p. 2, Grenade 1) are carried out, and grenade is thrown, that the steel needle will be driven into the detonator and exploded. In Grenade No. 3, Mark I, when safety pin is removed and releasing socket slipped back, the wind vane revolves backward (during the passage through the air) until far enough to allow the retaining bolt to fall out. This leaves nothing between the firing needle and detonator cap except a very thin spiral spring which is only strong enough to hold the weight of the needle pellet until the shock of impact when the grenade explodes. In Grenade No. 20 releasing collar slips back on the rifle being fired. In Grenade No. 5, Mark I. On this grenade being thrown the pressure of the fingers being released the striking lever flies outward by the pressure of the powerful spring, releasing the shoulder of the firing striker which is driven on to the fuse and explodes in 4½ seconds. All other grenades, see pages opposite plates. =THROWING= Hand grenades are held firmly in the hand behind the thrower, the arm is brought quickly upward with a sweeping movement (the arm straight all the time), the grenade will be let go when the hand is above the thrower’s head, and should describe a semicircle in its flight. Hand grenades can be thrown from 30 to 50 yards, rifle grenades from 200 to 400 yards. Attacks should be practiced with dummy and deteriorated grenades, i.e., grenades with only a detonator and no explosive, etc. Confidence and knowledge of grenades should be gained by students handling, stripping and assembling all types and handling fuses and detonators, as often as possible. The importance of grenade work cannot be over-estimated and one can imagine numberless cases when a grenade is more useful than any other weapon. For instance, in street fighting a number of the enemy are holding a house and firing from an upper window commanding the main approach. You cannot get at them with a rifle, but it might be comparatively easy for one or two men to get along to the house by back ways, using the other houses for shelter and throw a grenade through the window, killing everyone in the room. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Hand Grenades, by Graham M. Ainslie