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The Model 24 Stielhandgranate was the standard hand grenade of the German Army from the end of World War I until the end of World War II. The very distinctive appearance led to it being called the stick grenade or "Potato masher".
Designed in 1915 it used an friction igniter - uncommon in other countries but widely used for German grenades. The handle was hollow and a string ran from the detonator within the explosive head down through the handle to terminate in a porcelain ball in the base closing cap. In use the base cap was removed and the ball and string fell out, pulling the string dragged a roughened steel rod through the ignitor causing it to flare-up and start the burning of a ten second fuse.
As a fragmentation grenade, it is a very useful and powerful anti-personnel device. The highly explosive charges reduce their metal casing to flying fragments, causing considerable blast damage. Though they are virtually ineffective against armoured vehicles, they are extremely useful for clearing out entrenched infantry positions.
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