F1 grenade (France)
Encyclopedia
The F1 grenade is a hand grenade
used by France
during World War I
and World War II
.
The F1 was a grenade designed during World War I and used by French infantrymen at the time. Originally, the F1 was designed to use a lighter-based ignition system, but later it began using a percussion cap
fuse. Designs such as the M1916 and M1917 Billant fuses turned the F1 into a time-fused grenade, which was the grenade's final ignition system. By World War II, the F1 used the M1935 fuse, which is a time-based fuse, but it differs the M1916 Billant fuse internally.
The F1 was used up to World War II, where it served as France's primary fragmentation grenade. The French also used P1 grenades and Citron foug grenades. After the war, the F1 grenade was withdrawn from service.
, which in turn spawned the iconic Mk 2 grenade
.
forces by France. After the civil war, the French F1 design was modified into the Russian F1 grenade design.
Hand grenade
A hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
used by France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Overview
Percussion cap
The percussion cap, introduced around 1830, was the crucial invention that enabled muzzleloading firearms to fire reliably in any weather.Before this development, firearms used flintlock ignition systems which produced flint-on-steel sparks to ignite a pan of priming powder and thereby fire the...
fuse. Designs such as the M1916 and M1917 Billant fuses turned the F1 into a time-fused grenade, which was the grenade's final ignition system. By World War II, the F1 used the M1935 fuse, which is a time-based fuse, but it differs the M1916 Billant fuse internally.
The F1 was used up to World War II, where it served as France's primary fragmentation grenade. The French also used P1 grenades and Citron foug grenades. After the war, the F1 grenade was withdrawn from service.
United States
The F1 with the M1916 Billant fuse was the preferred grenade by American forces during World War I. The F1 is the inspiration behind the failed American Mk 1 grenadeMk 1 grenade
The Mk 1 grenade is a fragmentation hand grenade used by American forces during World War I. According to its designers, it was to be the "simplest", yet most "fool-proof", grenade ever made...
, which in turn spawned the iconic Mk 2 grenade
Mk 2 grenade
The Mk 2 defensive hand grenade is a fragmentation hand grenade used by the U.S. armed forces during World War II and in later conflicts including the Vietnam War. The Mk II was standardized in 1920 replacing the Mk I of 1917. It was phased out gradually, the U.S. Navy being the last users...
.
Russian Civil War
During the Russian Civil War, the F1 was given to the White MovementWhite movement
The White movement and its military arm the White Army - known as the White Guard or the Whites - was a loose confederation of Anti-Communist forces.The movement comprised one of the politico-military Russian forces who fought...
forces by France. After the civil war, the French F1 design was modified into the Russian F1 grenade design.