^Lot 1562 RARE WWI FRENCH "PETARDS RAQUETTE" HAND GRENADE.

This inert grenade was also known as a "hairbrush" grenade. These grenades with their wooden stick handle had an explosive packed cylinder attached with a wire wrapping. The detonator was a separate wooden block mounted over a metal plate. The detonator consisted of a nail (not present on this example) which was struck on a hard surface to ignite a detonator cap. A length of fuse ran between the wooden block and the explosive giving hopefully a 5-7 second delay to allow for throwing the grenade. This grenade measures 14 1/2" in length overall. The metal cylinder measures approx 5" long. The handle is equipped with a belt hook formed from heavy wire. CONDITION: handle has a worn and scorched appearance. The metal parts have been repainted black. Nail and fuse are not present. (02-26998-2/RW). NON-GUN. $150-250.