Together with the development of evolution, there was a constant improvement not only of tools, but also of weapons. The banal stick and stone, thanks to which our ancestors had the opportunity to attack and defend, have now been replaced by a machine gun and an F1 grenade. The characteristics of modern weapons are undoubtedly an order of magnitude higher. Take, for example, a grenade. By definition, this is one of the types of explosive ammunition that is designed to disable the equipment of the opposing side or destroy manpower.
Application History
During the Great Patriotic War, hand grenades were widely used. Such explosive munitions could be divided into fragmentation, lighting, smoke, anti-tank and incendiary. It is worth adding that during the war years, tens of thousands of factories and various industries were converted to create such grenades, not counting the fact that a large number of such ammunition were exclusively “handicraft production”, which were manufactured in combat conditionspartisans.
Classification
All explosive ammunition, and the F1 grenade is no exception, are divided according to the principle of operation of the detonator and mechanism:
- Electric.
- Mechanical (tension, break, unloading and pressure).
- Chemical.
- Combined.
The electric method of charge detonation is carried out thanks to a current source, while the detonation is carried out directly when the contact is closed. This can be done manually by the demoman himself, or a disguised charge, such as on a TV set, is activated at the time the victim plugs into the socket.
The mechanical method speaks for itself, and only human strength or physical impact is required. This is by far the most common method, along with electric.
The chemical principle is based on the action of a certain substance or most often an acid.
Classification of ammunition according to their purpose
All explosive devices can be divided according to the method of their impact on the target. At the moment, thanks to some modifications and improvements, the F1 combat grenade can be used for any of them. A significant role in this was played by partisans and modern military operations in the territories of the CIS and the Middle East.
- Bookmark: This method is due to the preliminary installation of an explosive device. As for grenades, the most popular is the "stretch", which is based on physicaldetonation by the victim himself. At the same time, it can be both camouflaged and obvious.
- A so-called "mail item" that can be disguised as an ordinary ammo box and detonates when opened.
Varieties of grenades
- Manual - performed with a hand throw.
- Anti-personnel - to defeat manpower.
- Fragmentation - the defeat occurs as a result of fragments from a grenade.
- Defensive - the spread of fragments exceeds the possible range of the throw, which makes it necessary to attack from cover.
- Remote action - detonation occurs some time after the throw. The F1 training grenade provides for 3.2 and 4.2 seconds. Other explosive devices may have different detonation times.
F1 grenade: characteristics, damage radius
From the whole variety of defensive weapons, I would like to highlight the following. One of the best anti-personnel, hand-held explosive devices is considered to be the F1 grenade. The performance and design proved to be so good that it managed to last a long time without any improvement. The only thing that has been modified is the fuse system and its design.
This type of explosive device is designed to hold defensive positions and hit mainly enemy manpower. This is due to the rather largethe radius of its fragments. For the same reason, it is necessary to throw it from cover (tank, armored car, etc.) in order to avoid causing damage to yourself.
Grenade F1 specifications are as follows:
- The number of fragments after the explosion reaches 300 pieces.
- Weight - 600 g.
- Type of explosive - TNT.
- The throw averages 37m.
- Safe distance - 200 m.
- The radius of destruction by shrapnel is 5 m.
History of F1 creation
It all started back in 1922, when the department of the Workers 'and Peasants' Red Army decided to audit the artillery depots. According to the reports of that time, they were armed with 17 types of various grenades. At the same time, among the numerous choices of types of fragmentation-defensive character, there were no explosive devices of our own production at that time. It was because of this that Mills grenades were in service, as an exception, the use of the French version of the F-1 explosive device was also allowed. And based on the fact that the French fuse was extremely unreliable, a large number were not activated, and even more so, they exploded right in their hands. The same committee, as of 1925, created a report that stated that the need for such explosive devices in the army was satisfied by only 0.5%. In the same year, Artkom decided to test all the samples that were available at that time. Based on this, a 1914 model grenade was chosen, which was to be modified underan improved analogue of the Mills fragmentation system.
Thus, the Swiss fuses were replaced by domestic ones - Koveshnikov, and already in 1925, in September, the first tests were carried out, in which fragmentation was the main criterion. The commission's conclusions satisfied the committee. This is how the F1 grenade appeared, the technical characteristics of which surpassed the French counterpart and met the needs of the Red Army.
Instructions for use
In order for the F1 grenade to be ready for action, you need to find the antennae that are located on the safety pin and unbend them. The explosive device is taken in the right hand, the fingers must firmly and confidently press the lever directly to the body itself. Before throwing, the index finger of the second hand must pull out the check ring. After that, you can hold the grenade for a long time, until the lever is released and the impact striker activates the fuse. If the need for the action of the grenade disappears, then the pin can be inserted back, and after the antennae are returned to their original position, it can be safely stored.
Having examined the model of the F1 grenade, you can fully familiarize yourself with its structure, and due to the weight, which is identical to the combat version, you can test it for throwing range. In the case of combat operations or conditions close to them, the first step is to determine the goal and choose the right moment to perform the throw. Once the grenade is on its way to its target,the lever will apply pressure to the striker, which, in turn, will press on the primer, causing an explosion after a certain period of time.
Among the damaging factors, one can note not only high-explosive action, but also fragments that are formed as a result of a rupture of a grenade shell. This is also due to the frequent use of F1 when installing "stretch marks". So, if during an explosion a person can survive a high-explosive shock wave, then the fragments will not leave anyone a chance within a radius of 5 meters.
Additionally, it is worth noting a rather cunning and effective combination that consists of 2 grenades, due to which an anti-sapper effect is also created. So, if it is discovered by an inexperienced sapper, who subsequently cuts the stretched cable, thereby detonating 2 fuses at the same time. There are improvements that allow instant grenades to fire instantly with the installation of an instant-activation mine fuse.
For your safety
In order to avoid any unfortunate situations, you must be very careful about the precautions. Before laying grenades, you need to inspect them and pay attention to the fuse. The case should not show deep rust and strong dents. The fuse and its tube must not have any signs of corrosion, the pin must be intact, the ends are separated, and the bends must not be cracked. If a green coating is found on the fuse, then in no case should such a grenade be used. When transporting ammunition, it is necessary to protect it from impacts,dampness, fire and dirt. If the grenades were soaked, then you can not dry them by the fire.
Regular inspections are needed. Strictly prohibited:
- Touch an unexploded ordnance.
- Dismantle a combat grenade.
- Try to fix the problem yourself.
- Carry grenades without bags.
Analogues
The French fragmentation and English models were taken as a basis, thanks to which the F1 grenade appeared. The characteristics of such a symbiosis were unique compared to similar domestic explosive devices. This model is known by its nickname "lemon". In turn, models from Chile (Mk2), China (Type 1), Taiwan and Poland (F-1) can be considered copies of this grenade.
The Soviet version was widely used throughout the world in the most famous and extensive military conflicts.
Unique F1 grenade
In fact, the fact that this type of ammunition did not need to be modified for quite a long time speaks volumes, in particular, that the F1 grenade is considered one of the best developments of that time. The characteristics of this device are so good, and the production is simple, that by the beginning of 1980 there was a huge stock of such supplies in warehouses, all of which were in working order. At the moment, they remain, if not the most perfect type, then time-tested.
Maybe after a while new ones will be created, completelyunique types that will be completely devoid of all the shortcomings of old ammunition and will confidently take their place, but at the moment the F1 grenade remains one of the best. The characteristics (expert's comment confirms this) of the new types of explosive devices have some advantage, but it is not yet possible to call them the best replacement for the old types of grenades.
