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SELDOM SEEN WWII INERT TOBIAS HELL-BALL GRENADE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:150.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 500.00 USD
SELDOM SEEN WWII INERT TOBIAS HELL-BALL GRENADE

MADE IN KEYES FIBER OF WATERVILLE, MAINE.
Tobias Miller of Point Lookout, New York filed a patent for a Hand Grenade on Feb. 13th, 1941 S# D-98950 & was awarded the patent 2,393,861 on January 29th, 1946. His patent was to improve means for preventing premature firing & accidental discharge while in transit; while designed to be lightweight & easily throwable. On Nov. 5th, 1941, Grant Schlieker, Lieutenant Colonel of Infantry authorized a test of the grenade. While Keyes Fiber of Waterville Maine as subject of manufacture these grenades, complications about construction of plants need to manufacture the grenades along w/ issues with fuses not firing, only samples of these grenades were ever produced.
This 3 1/2" diameter sphere grenade is mfg from die cast plastic w/ a cross section metal insert. Inside of this grenade is a hand scratched "8"; mostly likely sample #8. The cap for this grenade is red die cast plastic w/ a cross slot for the pin & having a brass forked holder for the fuse surrounded by 2 intertwined coil springs. A large steel ring holding the 2 1/2" pin that holds the cap to the main shell by 2 cross slots. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: copies of provenance about the Tobias Miller patent #2393861, Jacobi & Jacobi law offices correspondence about the patent, War Department & W. E. Parsons Keyes Fiber correspondence. Also included is a lg. schematic print of the grenade by B.L.M. Inc. CONDITION: very good overall showing only light marks & scuffs on exterior w/ residue on steel ring. (02-16278/MD). 300-500.