V-40 Mini Grenade: Difference between revisions

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The MK3 hand grenade is a cylindrical concussion grenade designed to produce casualties during close combat while minimizing danger to friendly personnel exposed in the open owing to minimal fragmentation. There is a secondary fragmentation hazard though from rocks, gravel, wood splinters, glass, etc. The grenade is also used for concussion effects in enclosed areas, for blasting, or for demolition tasks. The shock waves (overpressure) produced by this grenade when used in enclosed areas are greater than those produced by the fragmentation grenade. It is, therefore, very effective used in an offensive role against enemy soldiers located in bunkers, buildings, and fortified areas. It is commonly known as the "concussion" or "demo" (from demolition) grenade.
The '''M26''' is an American fragmentation hand grenade introduced in the early 1950s as a successor to the World War II-era Mk 2. Its smooth, oval “lemon” body was intended to be easier to carry and throw while still producing effective fragmentation. It is best known as the basis for the M26-family grenades that were widely used by U.S. forces through the Vietnam War era.


There are three variants: the basic MK3, the MK3A1, and the MK3A2. They differ in their construction and the type of fuze used. They were designated Mk III (Roman numbers) prior to 2 April 1945.
==HISTORY==
=HISTORY=
The M26 was developed from postwar studies of the Mk 2 grenade, addressing complaints about inconsistent fragmentation and the conspicuous ignition effects of earlier fuzes. The M26 family used a safer and more uniform explosive filler (commonly Composition B) and a fuze design that avoided obvious sparks or smoke during function, improving both handling safety and tactical discretion. The M26 entered U.S. service in the early 1950s and saw combat use in Korea, gradually supplanting the Mk 2 as standard issue in many Army units while large leftover stocks kept Mk 2 grenades in circulation for years.
The MK3A2 had a waterproof asphalt-impregnated fiberboard cylinder and its top and bottom were made from the same material. The top had a fuze well directly threaded in its center. It originally used the M6A4D fuze, which had a four to five second delay. This was later replaced with the updated M206 series fuze (currently using the M206A2), which was smokeless— and noiseless—burning and had a five-second delay. It contained an 8 oz. (~226.8 grams) TNT charge.


It can be identified by its cylinder, which is in two halves and is secured in the middle with a wide black band. The yellow lettering is printed directly on the surface of the grenade and reads "Grenade Hand - Offensive MK3A2 - TNT".
By the Vietnam War era, improved variants in the M26 family—often referenced through designations such as the M26A1 and related types—were among the primary fragmentation grenades used by U.S. forces in theater. As grenade designs continued to evolve, the M26 family was later replaced by newer U.S. fragmentation grenade patterns that became standard after Vietnam.
 
===Sources===
* https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/land/m26.htm M26 Fragmentation Hand Grenade | Federation of American Scientists (Military Analysis Network)
* https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/munitions/m26.htm M26 Fragmentation Grenade | GlobalSecurity.org
* https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/hand-grenade-fragmentation-m26 Hand grenade, fragmentation, M26 | National Army Museum
* https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1213531 Hand Grenade, M26 (collection record) | Australian War Memorial


The grenades weighed in at 0.96 lbs. (~435.45 grams) They came packed in storage tubes in crates of 30 grenades.
<br>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MK3_grenade SOURCE]
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File:M26 Grenade.jpg|M26 fragmentation hand grenade.
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File:RpOXbBStdFVaMU7Y8HD6lJRHpId64qlKmpK8bXYH.jpg|M26-series grenade in field context.
 
File:M26-hand-grenade.jpg|M26 “lemon” grenade profile.
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Revision as of 23:33, 24 February 2026

Factions Frag Grenades Icon Classes Ammo Explosion
Damage Radius

US
V-40 Mini Grenade		 Gun Game
Zombies		 1/2 100 275
Designation Weapon Type Fire Modes Throwing Range Weight
V-40 Grenade 3 Sec + 5 Sec 25 meters? 1 kg (2.2 lbs)
Full name Caliber Place of Origin Date Manufacturer Total Length Weapon Script Name
FN grenade United States Of America D8 ARM in ( mm) weapon_v40


The M26 is an American fragmentation hand grenade introduced in the early 1950s as a successor to the World War II-era Mk 2. Its smooth, oval “lemon” body was intended to be easier to carry and throw while still producing effective fragmentation. It is best known as the basis for the M26-family grenades that were widely used by U.S. forces through the Vietnam War era.

HISTORY

The M26 was developed from postwar studies of the Mk 2 grenade, addressing complaints about inconsistent fragmentation and the conspicuous ignition effects of earlier fuzes. The M26 family used a safer and more uniform explosive filler (commonly Composition B) and a fuze design that avoided obvious sparks or smoke during function, improving both handling safety and tactical discretion. The M26 entered U.S. service in the early 1950s and saw combat use in Korea, gradually supplanting the Mk 2 as standard issue in many Army units while large leftover stocks kept Mk 2 grenades in circulation for years.

By the Vietnam War era, improved variants in the M26 family—often referenced through designations such as the M26A1 and related types—were among the primary fragmentation grenades used by U.S. forces in theater. As grenade designs continued to evolve, the M26 family was later replaced by newer U.S. fragmentation grenade patterns that became standard after Vietnam.

Sources

Real-Life Photos
  • M26 fragmentation hand grenade.
    M26 fragmentation hand grenade.
  • M26-series grenade in field context.
    M26-series grenade in field context.
  • M26 “lemon” grenade profile.
    M26 “lemon” grenade profile.
Videos
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