No. 73 Grenade

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No. 73
Type	Anti-tank grenade
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Specifications
Weight	4 lb 8 oz (2.0 kg)
Length	9.5 inch

Filling	HE
Detonation mechanism	Impact

The No. 73 "Thermos" was a British anti-tank grenade used during World War II. It got its nickname from the resemblance to a Thermos flask.

It was simple cylindrical case filled with high explosive with an "Allways" fuse. It could only be thrown a short distance (about 10 metres) and the blast radius was greater than that so it was only for use when the thrower could take cover. The grenade worked on sheer blast effect. The intended use was to throw it into the track or suspension of the tank and so disable it. It was therefore an ideal weapon for use from ambush and was issued to the Home Guard.

The training manual said "...the best effect being when used against the track or suspension of a tank. Owing to its weight and shape; and, owing to the powerful nature of the grenade, it is absolutely essential that the thrower is behind cover."

[edit] See also

British Grenades of World War I & World War II
Anti-personnel
Grenade, No 1 Hales \| No.s 5, 23, 36 Mills \| No. 69 \| No.s 8, 9 Double Cylinder Jam Tin
Anti-tank
No. 68 AT (Rifle) \| No. 73 Thermos \| No. 74 Sticky bomb \| No. 75 AT Hawkins \|
Special Types
No. 82 Gammon \| No. 76 (WP) \| No. 77 (WP) \| "Lewes bomb"