MK2 Pineapple Hand Grenade.............

[Kelley (Texas)]

This is a picture of an old MK2 Pineapple Hand Grenade that was used by our arm forces from 1918 to 1960's. You pulled the pin out to activate it and had approximately five seconds to throw it before it exploded. I remember once seeing a war movie with John Wayne being the hero, and he pulled the pin out with his teeth before he threw it at the bad guys. It is my understanding that this could not have been done in the real world, would have pulled his teeth out. This one has been deactivated and is displayed on a book shelf in my study. Kelley (Texas)

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[Nestor Cerpa]

WOW, does that grenade bring back some memories! Great photo!

In 1966, during Marine Corps boot camp, or, Infantry Training Regiment, I cannot remember now, been so long; we had instruction and practice throwing live grenades.

We lined up back behind a sand bag wall, a little over three feet high. We were all wearing our jungle fatigues, including the drill instructor.

Guy directly in front of me, walks up to the sand bags. The drill instructor hands him a live grenade. The recruit pulls the pin, then, gets scared, and holds out the grenade in the direction of the drill instructor.

It rolls off the tips of his fingers and down the front, and INSIDE, of the Drill instructors blouse/bdu jacket.

The Drill Instructor rips off his blouse, grabs the grenade before it hits the ground, barely gets it over the 3 ft sandbag wall, slams the recruit to the ground and we all hit the deck just as it explodes.


Thanks for the flashback, Kelley,


Nestor.

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

n/t

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

This is original and like new condition. Kelley (Texas)

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[Nestor Cerpa]

Kellley,

Why, YES, it does bring back great memories. Thanks, Kelley! Somewhere, packed away, I have one, that I bought legitimately, taped to my South African web harness designed for .308 mags, and the FN-FAL (L1A1 rifle).

Now, a this point in my life, I jcan't remember where it is packed away, back when I was 40. Hope that I never have need for it, for if I ever do, I will play heck in finding it.

 

[Nestor Cerpa]

Hi, Kelley,

Since I lived west of the Mississippi River, I was a Hollywood Marine. Took my first plane ride at 17 from St. Louis, to boot camp in San Diego. That was just two weeks after graduating from high school.

My drill instructor had been one at Parris Island. Sgt. Pettis tried very hard to make sure that we had a Marine Experience that made us envy those who were going through boot camp at Paris Island and wishing that we were with them.

Contrast that with a high school friend who went through Amry boot came at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. After arriving at boot camp, it was a few days before they could call home, and they weren't allowed to go home for a visit until part way though boot camp. We could not even talk to one another, much less call home. They issued me a size 7 boot, when I was measured for a size 9. I was so scared and didn't want to be a sickbay commando, (seeking medical attention) that I wore that size 7 until about the 5th week, when they saw me hobbling. Since the Marine Corps had measured me a size 9, I thought that is what I was wearing, and I wasn't about to complain. After the DI ordered me to report to sick bay, only then, did the doc find that I was wearing a boot two sizes to small. My two outer toes on each foot, are still scruntched under and inward.

Thanks for the walk down memory lane, Kelley.

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

I do think that the drill instructors were in competition to see who could make life the most miserable for the recruits. I don't know who had it worst, those at Parris Island having sand sharks & snakes between them and freedom or those at San Diego with a fence between them and the airport & freedom. Now, many years later, we can laugh at some of the things that occurred at boot camp, but at the time it was not very funny. Semper Fi still holds true! Kelley (Texas)

 

[Nestor Cerpa]

You are right, Kelley. I think that Sgt. Pettis wanted to make sunny California as equally as hellish as the Parris Island experience for Marines. We heard stories about swamps and the sand fleas, etc.

Oh, you hit it! "Zee Plane, boss, Zee Plane!".... we would look up and see those out bound planes. In a way, it was depressing, while it, also, gave us hope, as we imagnied that one day, we would be on an outbound plane for home and leave. Me, I loved trains, and wanted to see America. I took the southerly route trough New Mexico, Texas ending up in KC, changing trains for St. Louis.

Wow, I haven't thought about those planes in years. Again, thanks for a great memory.

 

[SteveC (CntrlFla)]

Not to be a pain, however, if used properly pulling the pin (i.e. a safety) on the grenade did not arm it. Pulling the pin would allow the Safety Lever (i.e. the spoon) to hinge out after bring thrown and allow the spring-loaded Striker to pivot and ignite the fuse (i.e. the time delay) via the primer. That is why you were taught not to loosen your grip (i.e. milk the grenade) after pulling the pin. Since the majority of individuals are right-handed, that's why the steel ring is on the left side of the grenade. Placing the grenade in the right hand so you could pull the ring and pin with the left hand, placed the Safety Lever against the right palm.

 

[Nestor Cerpa]

Could be... but that grenade exploded just after the DI got the grenade over the short blast wall where they were standing.

 

[nge]

Nestor, what is the flag in your avatar.......nge