WORLD WAR ONE RIFLE GRENADE LAUNCHER

$225.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1219-56

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

This is a good example of an early version of the Vivien-Bessiere (“VB”) rifle grenade launcher. Rifle grenades were useful for medium range targets- beyond throwing distance but not far enough to require heavier ordnance, somewhere between 50 and 200 yards, and were extremely useful in small unit attacks on enemy strong points. Early attempts involved a grenade simply mounted on a rod fired from a rifle with a blank cartridge- subject to various mishaps and severe wear to the rifle barrel. This design used a cup launcher fitted to the muzzle of a rifle launching a cylindrical grenade with hole through it allowing a live cartridge to be used for both ignition of the fuse and serve as the propellant. These were developed by the French, supplied to U.S. troops with French rifles and then adopted and improved by U.S. forces for use on both the 1903 a M1917 rifle.

This is an excavated example of an early version with the lower section fitting over the barrel having simple straight cuts along the top and bottom to fit over the front sight and bayonet lug. Later versions used more secure means of attachment with spiral mortises, spring catches, etc. These remained in U.S inventories through WW2 with evidence of use by the USMC in the Pacific.  [sr] [ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!

Inquire »

Inquire About WORLD WAR ONE RIFLE GRENADE LAUNCHER

For inquiries, please email us at [email protected]

featured item

TWO PEN AND INK DRAWINGS BY ALFRED WAUD / HORATIO WAIT OF BLOCKADING SCENES OFF MOBILE 1863

Working as a special artist for Harpers Weekly from late 1861 through 1865, Alfred R. Waud (1828-1891) is one of the best-known Civil War artists. In postwar years he was connected with Century Magazine, which published numerous accounts of the Civil… (557-12). Learn More »

Upcoming Events

21
Nov

Dec. 7 - 8: Middle Tennessee Civil War Show Learn More »

Instagram