Description
These are hand thrown, antipersonnel, frangible, chemical grenades designed for use in confined spaces.
These grenades are recognizable mainly as round glass bowls filled with HCN. They differ in minor details.
The copper stabilized type is round bottomed whereas the 172 B-K and 172 C-K have flat bottoms.
The copper gives one a yellow tint while the other two appear to be light green.
The copper stabilized type has one moulded ring around the outside instead of two as the others have.
The copper stabilized type is closed by a crown cap over a cork stopper and the other two are closed by a crown cap over a rubber washer.
The copper stabilized type is carried in a sheet metal container and the 172 B-K and 172 C-K are carried in cardboard containers.
The grenades contain 12.2 oz. of liquid which is about 80% hydrocyanic acid. This is a very strong systemic poison.
Functioning
The grenade is thrown and on impact the glass will break releasing the HCN. This gas is swift and deadly if inhaled. In such quantities the gas is exceptionally nonpersistent so these grenades are designed for use in small closed spaces such as pillboxes or tanks.
Hazardous Components
Filler - HCN, 12.2 fluid ounces
See Also
Nothing else to see.
Source(s)
Old Chemical Weapons Reference Guide (1998)
OP 1667, Japanese Explosive Ordnance, Volume 1 (1946)
Japanese Hand, Rifle, and Mortar Grenades
