F1 grenade (Russia)


The Soviet F1 hand grenade, is an anti-personnel fragmentation defensive grenade. It is based on the French F1 grenade and contains a 60-gram explosive charge. The total weight of the grenade with the fuze is about 600 grams.
Due to its shape and its yellow-green color, it is nicknamed the limonka. It is also nicknamed Efka for the letter F. It is similar to the American Mk 2 "pineapple grenade", which was also ultimately modeled on the French F1.

Fuse

The UZRGM fuse is a universal Russian type also used in the RG-41, RG-42, RGO-78, RGN-86 and RGD-5 grenades. The standard time delay for this fuse is 3.5 to 4 seconds. However, UZRGM fuse variants are available which give delays between zero and 13 seconds. It is possible to hear a loud "pop" as the fuse ignites and begins to burn.

History

The F1 was introduced during World War II and subsequently redesigned post-war. It has a steel exterior that is notched to facilitate fragmentation upon detonation and to prevent hands from slipping. The distance the grenade can be thrown is estimated at 30–45 meters. The radius of the shrapnel dispersion is up to 200 meters. Hence, the grenade has to be deployed from a defensive position to avoid self harm. About 60 percent of the grenade body pulverizes during the explosion, only 30 percent of the body splints into 290 high velocity sharp cut splinters each weighing around 1 gram with initial speed of about 700 meters per second.

Foreign copies

The F1 grenade has been supplied to various Soviet allies and Third World nations over the years, including Iraq and other Arab nations, and there are different production variations according to country of origin. Though obsolete and no longer in production, it can still be encountered in combat zones.