Gammon bomb

Gammon bomb

Infobox Weapon
name= Grenade No. 82 "Gammon Bomb"


caption= The Gammon Bomb shown empty and filled
origin=flagcountry|United Kingdom
type= Hand grenade
is_ranged=
is_bladed=
is_explosive=yes
is_artillery=
is_vehicle=
is_missile=
is_UK=yes
service= May 1943 - 1945
used_by= United Kingdom, Canada, USA
wars= World War II
designer= R.S. Gammon
design_date=
manufacturer=
unit_cost=
production_date=
number= many thousands
variants= No. 82 Mk 1
weight= 340 grams (empty)
length=
part_length=
width=
height=
diameter=
crew=
filling=Typically composition C
filling_weight= Variable: up to 900 grams
detonation= Instantaneously, on impact with the target
yield=

The Gammon bomb officially known as the No. 82 grenade was a British hand grenade used during World War II.

Overview

Designed by Capt. R.S. Gammon MC of the 1st Parachute Regiment, the Gammon bomb was developed as a replacement for the temperamental and highly dangerous "sticky bomb" grenade. It consisted of an elasticized stockingette bag made of dark coloured material, a metal cap, and an 'sic|Allways fuze' (the same fuze as found in the No. 69 grenade).

Unlike conventional grenades, the Gammon bomb was flexible in the amount and type of munition that could be delivered to a target. For anti-personnel use, a small amount of plastic explosive (about half a stick), along with shrapnel-like projectiles if available, would be placed in the bag. Against armored fighting vehicles or other large targets, the bag could be filled completely with explosive. In this manner it was possible to make an unusually powerful grenade that could only be thrown safely from behind cover.

Using the Gammon bomb was very simple. After filling the stockingette bag with explosive, the screw-off cap was removed and discarded. Removing the screw-off cap revealed a stout linen tape wound around the circumference of the fuze. The linen tape had a curved lead weight on the end. Whilst holding the lead weight in place with one finger (to prevent the linen tape from unwinding prematurely) the grenade was then thrown at the target. When the Gammon grenade was thrown, the weighted linen tape automatically unwrapped in flight, pulling out a retaining pin from the fuze mechanism. Removal of the retaining pin freed a heavy ball-bearing and striker inside the fuze, which were then held back from the percussion cap only by a weak creep spring. In this manner the sic|allways-fuze was armed in flight. The grenade exploded when impact with the target gave the heavy ball-bearing a sharp jolt, overcoming the weak resistance of the creep spring to slam the striker against the percussion cap. Detonation of a gammon grenade was instantaneous on impact with the target.

Gammon bombs were primarily issued to special forces such as paratroopers who were issued plastic explosive routinely. These units found the Gammon bomb to be particularly useful due to their small size and weight when unfilled, as well as their adaptability.

Gammon bombs were declared obsolete in the early 1950s, at which point all existing stocks were destroyed. Typically, any examples encountered today will be in the form of unexploded ordnance or inert examples held in museum collections.

Allways fuze

An "Allways" fuze is an impact-only fuze. The term "Allways" refers to the fact that no matter which way the grenade lands (e.g. on its base, sideways or upside down) it will still explode. [http://www.lexpev.nl/fuzesandigniters/unitedkingdom/no247allwaysfuze.html]

External links

* [http://rapidttp.com/milhist/vol055ob.html The Grenade with Instant Fame]
* [http://www.millsgrenades.co.uk/images/WW2%20Grenades/Gammons.jpgPhoto of assorted Gammon Bombs]
* [http://www.millsgrenades.co.uk/images/WW2%20Grenades/No69%20sectioned.jpgSectioned No 69 grenade (same fuse as Gammon bomb)]
* [http://visualcollector.com/VisualCollectorLinks/HowItWorks/C-No69MkI-L.jpgAnother sectional view of a No 69 grenade]
* [http://www.airbornerecce.com/gammon/ Gammon Bomb Reproductions]

See also


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Gammon — can mean:* A particular cut of bacon or ham (from an Old Northern French word Gambe for hind leg of the pig or ham) processed pork product * A synonym for Shelta, the language of the Irish Travellers * A victory in backgammon reached before the… …   Wikipedia

  • Grenade gammon — Une grenade gammon est une grenade à main, dont l explosif est contenu dans un sac souple, et développée par l armée britannique durant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Puissante, elle pouvait retourner un véhicule lourd (camion ou automitrailleuse).… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Sticky bomb — For other uses, see Sticky bomb (disambiguation). Sticky bomb Close up view of sticky bombs being manufactured Type Anti tank hand grenade Place …   Wikipedia

  • Mills bomb — 36M, dating from 1942 Type Hand grenade Place of origin …   Wikipedia

  • No 69 grenade — British No 69 Type Hand grenade Place of origin …   Wikipedia

  • Hand grenade — M67 fragmentation grenade, a widely used modern 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.[1] Explosive grenades… …   Wikipedia

  • List of World War II weapons of the United Kingdom — This is a list of various weapons and vehicles used in World War II by the United Kingdom. Small Arms Rifles *De Lisle Silent Carbine Specialist issue, very low number produced. *Enfield Pattern 14 (P14) Used as a marksman weapon until the No.IV… …   Wikipedia

  • Operation Deadstick — Part of Normandy landings …   Wikipedia

  • List of World War II topics (G) — # G H (navigation) # G Men vs the Black Dragon # G and H class destroyer # G for George # G. B. Pegram # G. Mennen Williams # G. N. Glasoe # G. Warren Nutter # G.I. Robot # G.I. Stories # G.I. Wanna Home # G?siówka # Göppingen Gö 9 # Göran… …   Wikipedia

  • Oakland, California — Oakland redirects here. For other uses, see Oakland (disambiguation). Oakland   City   City of Oakland …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”