[Robe]

A grenade consists of a lemon sized hollow steel casing filled with an explosive powder, a cap like device screws into the top, IT consists of a little spring loaded flipper (don't cha love the tech talk )a handle holds the flipper open , and the handle is held in place by a pin( looks just like a cotter pin) with a large ring on to to put your finger in.
You hold the grenade in your hand and hold the handle down with your fingers, When you pull the pin, and throw the thing.. the handle immediately is flung off, and the little flapper slams down on a primer which sets a fuse to burning in a tube connected to the top.
After a period of time , anywhere from 3 to 15 seconds the grenade goes BOOM Anybody out there that can explain it better , feel free to jump on in..

[CaptainLou]

A grenade consists of a lemon sized hollow steel casing filled with an explosive powder, a cap like device screws into the top, IT consists of a little spring loaded flipper (don't cha love the tech talk )a handle holds the flipper open , and the handle is held in place by a pin( looks just like a cotter pin) with a large ring on to to put your finger in.
You hold the grenade in your hand and hold the handle down with your fingers, When you pull the pin, and throw the thing.. the handle immediately is flung off, and the little flapper slams down on a primer which sets a fuse to burning in a tube connected to the top.
After a period of time , anywhere from 3 to 15 seconds the grenade goes BOOM Anybody out there that can explain it better , feel free to jump on in..

During basic training we had a guy who pulled the pin, flipped the handle, and THEN threw the grenade. He was on his way home that afternoon. Those aren't the kinds of people you want in your fox hole. :-)

[The Shrew]

The only thing that I would add to your description of the function of a grenade is that it is possible to "Milk" a grenade and allow the 'spoon' enough slack that the primer can be ignited while the spoon is still on the grenade. This is NOT a good thing.

Semper Fi,

TS