The Model 24 was the standard hand grenade of the German Wehrmacht throughout World War II. The grenade was an offensive grenade, meaning that it relied more heavily on lethality through sheer concussive force than through shrapnel, unlike the British made Mill's Bomb of the time.
To arm the Model 24, the bottom cap must first be unscrewed. This would reveal a small porcelain ball attached to a string, which would then be pulled to ignite the internal fuse. One advantage of the Model 24 was its long handle, which would act as a lever when thrown. This lever action allowed it to be thrown much further than the standard "pineapple" grenades used by the Allies.
Due to its' distinctive shape, the Model 24 was nicknamed the "Potato Masher," due to its resemblence to a tool used to mash potatoes at the time. Another nickname was "stick grenade," due to its length and thinness.
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