| Hand grenade use during the Lake George Tactical
has reestablished itself during the last four years. The recent campaign of 2004 saw
the introduction of a British-made grenade, making a scientific study between it and the
existing French ordinance possible. To calm any misconceptions
concerning the context of this study, the grenades being examined are a non-lethal variety
used in 18th century living history demonstrations. A general guideline had been
suggested to both French and British arsenals that defines grenades as such:
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V. Grenades
Grenades must be made from non-fragmenting rubber tennis balls.
Explosive grenades shall contain less than 500 grains of powder.
Infantry must give ground if confronted by grenades.
One cannot claim a kill with grenades.
No grenades are to be thrown at night, but they can be purposely set off to signal an
attack or create a distraction.
No grenades are to be thrown at boats or canoes at any time. |
French Grenades
 The grenades
currently in use by both France and Colonial America consist of a tennis ball, paint,
powder, fuse and glue (see Fig. 1.) They are assembled by first punching a
hole into each ball. Working in half dozen batches, the balls are mounted onto
nails set in a board. A propane torch is then used to burn the fuzz off the tennis
balls, and further use of the torch helps to reduce the elasticity of the rubber.
The balls are painted black once cool, and when dry are filled with 480 grains of FFFF
black powder using a brass funnel. A 7" piece of waterproof cannon fuse is
glued into the hole and the grenade is complete.
The French grenade has seen great success in its use
on Lake George and elsewhere. With a diameter of 2.5 inches and weighing 5.5
ounces, the grenade's particular size makes it suitable for mortar use. The
waterproof fuse and powder seal provides a high probability of detonation in water, while
the heat-treated rubber shell quickly sheds kinetic energy and increases stability and
control to the target. The all-rubber construction guarantees a non-fragmented
explosion that produces smoke and concussion with no discernable flame.
British Grenades
 October
of 2004 saw the introduction of the first British grenade to be used on Lake George in
recent history. It is constructed using a racquet ball filled with 150 grains of
powder. A red waterproof fuse is inserted and secured in place using black utility
tape (see Fig. 2.)
These grenades were first used by the British
against the French at Black Mountain Point. Smaller than its French counterpart, the
British grenade's diameter measures 2.2 inches and weighs 3.25 ounces. The racquet
ball provides for a highly elastic rubber shell, and although the design complies fully
with non-fragmentation standards, it's been reported that these grenades have such a high
factor of elasticity that when thrown can bounce off targets and return to
detonate at their point of origin.
The second generation British grenade is essentially
the same ordinance as the first generation British grenade described above, but with the
addition of black paint, the British broad arrow marking and the use of glue instead of
utility tape to secure the fuse (see Fig. 3.) The oil-based black lacquer
did not apply well to the racket balls and they have a tendency to stick to things if left
for any length of time, even after weeks of drying in low-humidity conditions.
Further tests using a latex-based black paint are in the works.
Technical Comparison:
|
FRENCH GRENADE |
BRITISH GRENADE |
| SHELL |
Tennis Ball |
Racquet Ball |
| DIAMETER |
2.5 inches |
2.2 inches |
| WEIGHT |
5.5 ounces |
3.25 ounces |
| CHARGE |
480 grains |
150 grains |
| FUSE |
7 inch waterproof |
3 inch waterproof |
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