Description
This is a delay-fired offensive or defensive hand grenade. When it is used as a defensive grenade, a fragmentation sleeve is installed.
The handle contains the firing mechanism. The inner tube mounts a clamp holder that has a series of keyways. The firing pin is mounted on the firing-pin clamp, which rides in the keyways, retracting the firing pin to the cocked position when the handle is rotated. A firing-pin spring is between the inner tube and the handle. The firing-pin latch is a spring-actuated device that interrupts a channel between the firing pin and the central tube. The safety slide has a pin that engages a keyway in the clamp holder to immobilize the firing mechanism when the slide is moved to the right.
The primer-detonator fits in the central tube, and is held in place by the swing away cover. Earlier models of the grenade had a sliding cover instead of a hinged cover. The stud on the side of the head is used for attaching the fragmentation sleeve. The sleeve has a slotted slide that mates with the stud.
The grenade is painted olive drab. Markings are unknown.
Functioning
To use, the grenade is grasped by the handle with the right hand, and by the head of the grenade with the left hand. The handle is pulled away from the grenade head until it stops, then the handle is turned to the right as far as it will go, and eased down into position. A red mark will then show to the right of the safety slide on the handle, to indicate the grenade is armed. The safety slide is moved to the right until it covers the red mark. The grenade is then safe. The detonator-delay assembly retaining arm on the head of the grenade is then moved aside to uncover the detonator pocket. A detonator-delay assembly is inserted with the tapered (primer) end first and pressed home gently with the thumb. Then the retaining arm is moved back to the closed position, and locked in place under the catch provided. To throw the grenade the safety slide is again moved to the left. The red mark is again visible indicating the grenade is armed, and ready for throwing.
The grenade must be thrown with a jerky, vigorous, overhand swing, as this motion is necessary to disengage the handle from its notch so it will snap back to the closed position, thus driving the striker forward and exploding the primer. The primer initiates the delay powder train (3.2 to 4 seconds) after which time the bursting charge of the grenade detonates.
Up to five grenade heads may be bound to a central grenade to give increased blast effect. The RGD-33 is used as an offensive grenade without the cast-iron fragmentation jacket, and as a defensive grenade with the cast-iron fragmentation jacket.
Hazardous Components
No information about hazardous components.
See Also
Nothing else to see.
Source(s)
Intelligence Bulletin (June 1946)
