The AN-M18 Colored Smoke Grenade

Smoke grenade

Smoke grenades are canister-type grenades used as ground-to-ground or ground-to-air signaling devices, target or landing zone marking devices, or as screening devices for unit movements. Smoke grenades are normally considered non-lethal, although incorrect use may cause death...

is a US Army

United States Army

The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

 grenade used as a ground-to-ground or ground-to-air signaling device, a target or landing zone marking device, or a screening device for unit movements.

Army/Navy Model 18 Colored Smoke Grenade (AN-M18)
Color/Markings: Olive drab body with yellow markings, the top painted red, green, yellow, or violet Violet (color) As the name of a color, violet is synonymous with a bluish purple, when the word "purple" is used in the common English language sense of any color between blue and red, not including either blue or red...  to indicate the smoke color.
Body: Body: Sheet steel cylinder with four emission holes at the top and one at the bottom to allow smoke release when the grenade is ignited.
Fuze Assembly: M201A1 Pull-ring Igniter. A "mouse trap" type igniting fuze with a 1.2 to 2.0 second delay. Ignition ignites the filler and expels it from the grenade body.
Filler: 11.5 ounces of a colored smoke mixture. Comes in red, green, yellow, or violet.
Weight: 19 ounces.
Safety clip?: No.
Range: Can be thrown 35 meters by an average soldier.
Duration: The grenade produces a cloud of colored smoke for 50 to 90 seconds (0.85-1.5 minutes).

Warning

WITH BOTH THE AN M8

AN M8

-Army/Navy Model 8 HC Smoke Grenade :This US Army grenade is used as a ground-to-ground or ground-to-air signaling device, a target or landing zone marking device, or a screening device for unit movements.-Warning:...

AND AN-M18, THERE IS DANGER OF STARTING A FIRE IF IT IS USED IN A DRY AREA.

Field Expedient Use

When employing the M18 or AN-M8 HC hand grenade, it may be desirable to use one of these grenades without the fuze. To do this, the following procedure should be used in combat only:

1. Remove the tape from grenade bottom to expose the filler.
2. Remove the fuze by unscrewing it from the grenade.
3. Ignite starter mixture with open flame.
4. Immediately throw the grenade to avoid burn injury.