Model 39 Grenade

Model 39 "Eihandgranate" (or Eierhandgranate, "egg hand grenade") or M39 grenade was a German hand grenade introduced in 1939 and produced until 1945. The Eierhandgranate used the same fuse assembly as the Model 43 Stielhandgranate, which was screwed into the top of the sheet metal body. The grenade also features a metal ring at the bottom that is used to attach the grenade to either a soldier uniform or as a booby trap. The colour of the cap indicated the burning time of the type of fuse fitted. Typically, a delay of around four seconds was used. The fuse is made in different delays times, indicated by the color of the cap:

Red = 1 second

Blue = 4.5 seconds

Yellow = 7.5 seconds

Gray = 10 seconds

However, if a grenade was to be used as a fixed booby-trap then an instantaneous fuse would be fitted. In September 1944, a separate fragmentation sleeve was introduced for the grenades, in order to increase their lethality. Later in the war, due to shortages of raw material, the Eihandgranaten were manufactured from concrete, with scrap metal pieces inserted into the cast.

To activate it, all that needs to be done is to unscrew the ball cap, pull it out revealing the coiled wire, gently strech it, then quickly pull it and throw the grenade.

Use In Downfall
Grawitz used two of these grenades to kill himself and his family.