M43 Stielhandgranate – Late-War German Grenade

The Stielhandgranate 43, commonly abbreviated M43, was developed during the final phase of the Second World War as a simplified replacement for the Stielhandgranate 24. Although its design originated in 1943, large-scale manufacture and troop issue occurred mainly during 1944. It retained the familiar cylindrical head and long wooden handle but required fewer components and manufacturing operations.

The most important difference from the M24 concerned the ignition system. On the earlier grenade, the friction igniter and pull cord passed through a hollow wooden handle. On the M43, the igniter was mounted directly on top of the explosive head. This allowed the use of a solid, undrilled wooden handle and eliminated the lower metal cap, internal cord channel and several fittings required by the older design.

The cylindrical head was made from thin sheet iron or steel and attached to the handle by deep pressed indentations or crimps. The complete grenade measured approximately 35 to 38 centimetres and weighed about 600 grams, with variations between manufacturers and fillings. Its head was approximately 70 millimetres in diameter and contained around 170 grams of explosive, normally TNT or an alternative composition such as Donarit.

Like the M24, the standard Stielhandgranate 43 was primarily an offensive or concussion grenade. Its thin casing produced comparatively limited natural fragmentation, with most of its effect coming from blast pressure. It was particularly associated with close-range attacks against trenches, buildings, shelters and fortified positions.

The initial standard igniter was a modified form of the Brennzünder für Eihandgranaten 39, originally developed for the Eihandgranate 39. Its usual blue cap identified a delay of approximately four and a half seconds. From late 1944 the grenade could also receive the Brennzünder 40, which appeared similar externally but employed a different internal ignition mechanism. The assembly was used with the Sprengkapsel Nr. 8 detonator.

Moving the igniter to the head meant that the handle no longer contained mechanical or pyrotechnic components. It served only as a grip and throwing aid. This greatly reduced the woodworking required and allowed handles to be produced by factories without the equipment needed to drill the long internal channel of the M24.

Early examples could retain the traditional ordnance-green finish. Most later production was painted Dunkelgelb, a tan or dark-yellow colour widely used on German military equipment during the closing years of the war. Shade, paint thickness and surface quality varied between factories, while examples from 1945 frequently show particularly economical finishing.

Maker codes and production dates were normally stamped on the upper and lower surfaces of the head and applied to the wooden handle. Additional markings could include Waffenamt acceptance stamps, lot information and black ink codes identifying the explosive filling. A letter K indicated a filling approved for cold-weather conditions, while Do denoted Donarit.

Numerous companies participated in production, resulting in substantial differences in handle profile, metal construction and marking style. The head and handle were not necessarily manufactured by the same firm. Late 1945 components may display abbreviated dates, weakly applied stamps or parts from different subcontractors assembled into a single grenade.

The M43 could be fitted with a Splitterring, or fragmentation sleeve, placed around the explosive head. Both smooth sleeves and versions divided into raised square sections are documented. Some grenades were issued with the sleeve already installed, increasing fragmentation and making the configuration more suitable for use from protected positions.

Stielhandgranaten 43 were generally transported in crates containing fifteen grenades. The same basic container could accept either the M24 or M43, with the model identified by markings on the lid. Existing M24 stocks remained in service, so both designs were used alongside one another until the end of the war.

A standardized, widely produced Übungs-Stielhandgranate 43 is not documented in the same manner as the red training version of the M24. The principal identifying characteristics of the combat M43 are therefore its solid handle, top-mounted igniter, simplified head-to-handle connection and frequent dark-yellow late-war finish.