| M26 grenade | |
|---|---|
 M61, a variant of the M26 (manufactured in May 1969) |
|
| Type | Time-fused grenade |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1950s-1970s |
| Used by | United States, Israel, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Portugal, South Africa |
| Wars | Vietnam War, Falklands War |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 454g[1] |
| Length | 99mm[1] |
| Diameter | 57mm[1] |
|
|
|
| Filling | Composition B |
| Filling weight | 164g[1] |
| Detonation mechanism |
Timed Friction Fuse |
The M26 is a fragmentation hand grenade made by the United States.
Contents |
Description [link]
The M26 is a fragmentation grenade developed by the United States military. Its distinct lemon shape led it to being nicknamed the "lemon grenade".
Fragmentation is caused by a special fragmentation coil that lies between the outer layer and explosive filling.[2]
Use [link]
History [link]
Origins [link]
The M26 emerges [link]
The M26 was developed as a result of the studies on the Mk 2. Unlike its previous counterpart, its fuse creates no tell-tale smoke or sparks.[2]
Use [link]
The M26 series was the primary fragmentation grenade used by American forces in the Vietnam War.
Replacement [link]
The M26 series was replaced by the M67 grenade after the Vietnam War.
Variants [link]
M26A1 [link]
The M26A1 is an M26 that has fragmentation serrations against the explosive filling.
M26A2 [link]
The M26A2 is an M26A2 modified to accept an impact fuze. It is slightly fatter than the M26A1.
M61 [link]
The M61 is the M26A1 with an extra safety (called the "jungle clip") attached to the lever. This is to prevent detonations in case the pin is accidentally pulled (such as because of it hanging from a soldier's uniform).[2]
Users [link]
- United States[3]
Canada: Canada adopted the M61, but it has been replaced by the C13 grenade, a Canadian-made version of the M67 grenade.[4]
United Kingdom: The L2 series is the British version of the M26. It has been almost completely replaced by the L109 grenade.[5]
Israel: The M26 was adopted in Israel, and is still in use in that country. Its variant is named the M26A2, but it has no relationship with the American-made M26A2.[6]
Australia: Australia adopted the M26, but it has been mostly replaced by the F1 grenade.[7]
Portugal: Portugal adopted the M26 as the M312.[8]
South Africa: South Africa adopted the M26, but switched to the Portuguese version of the M26 for unknown reasons.[9]
South Vietnam[3]
References [link]
- ^ a b c d https://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/americas/unitedstates/m26m26a1m61.html
- ^ a b c https://www.inert-ord.net/usa03a/usa3/m61/index.html
- ^ a b Unwin, Charles C.; Vanessa U., Mike R., eds. (2002). 20th Century Military Uniforms (2nd ed.). Kent: Grange Books. ISBN [[Special:BookSources/1-84013-276-3|1-84013-276-3]].
- ^ https://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/americas/canada/index.html
- ^ https://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/europe/unitedkingdom/l2serie.html
- ^ https://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/middleeastasia/israel/m26a2.html
- ^ https://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/middleeastasia/australia/index.html
- ^ https://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/europe/portugal/index.html
- ^ https://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/middleeastasia/southafrica/index.html
