SS Gewehr Panzer Granate 61 versions nomenclature

[WWIIBuff]

Hey Guys,

As far as I know, both versions of the SS Gewehr Panzer Granate 61 had the same name, and no distinction was made between them. Is that correct?

For reference in my database I refer to them as SS.G.Pz.Gr.61r for the round top version (r = rund), and SS.G.Pz.Gr.61s for the pointed version (s = spitz), but I am curious if the SS did make any distinction between them?

Also, does anyone have any training manuals or diagrams that show these that you can post?

Thanks

John

[BrunoH]

Hi,
As described here: https://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/europ...any/index.html in the rifle grenade section you may find the two links to the Gew.Pz.gr 46 and 61 model.
That's all the info I can found.
Regards

[WWIIBuff]

Thanks Bruno. I am familiar with the content on that website, but there is no information about these grenades, only a couple pictures.

The website inert-ord.net has a little bit of information, and a few more pictures, but nothing that specifically talks about the two different variants.


I am also wondering which version was made first, the rounded or pointed one. Or were they both made at the same time?

[bergler]

as far as I know the round head is later production as the pointed head had issues when hitting a target in an angle. So the design was changed to the round head.

This is Information I got from collectors mouth. No proof.

[WWIIBuff]

Thanks for that information Martin!

[Grossfuss]

SS GPzGr

One in that condition is bad enough but two? That's more than a man can stand!

Regards,

Grossfuss

[WWIIBuff]

One in that condition is bad enough but two? That's more than a man can stand!

Regards,

Grossfuss

LOL!!! And to think that I almost did not buy them because I already have a set. What was I thinking?

[bergler]

as far as I know the round head is later production as the pointed head had issues when hitting a target in an angle. So the design was changed to the round head.

This is Information I got from collectors mouth. No proof.

Some more Information here from my side:

I got a couple of SS GG 61 recently (more than only those 2), both versions (round and pinted head). Inspecting them closely I discovered something very interesting:

- Both grenades made in the same year (1944). So the Information above (round head late war, pointed head earlier) is incorrect

- Both have same manufacturer ("dot") and same WaA (63)

- BUT: there is a clear distinction on the markings, and this is on all ecxamples I have here:
pointed head: dot 1a 44
round head: dot 2a 44

To me it seems that the manufacturer distinguishes between model 1a (pointed) and model 2a (round)!

If you wnat, have a look on your items and see if that is the case. I guess it will be. The markings can be found on the shaft.

[WWIIBuff]

Nice find Martin, but unfortunately I do not think those numbers make a distinction between the two different models. If those were the only numbers found, I would agree with you, but as you can see from my pictures below, there are more numbers to be found on these:

Picture 1 = dot 1b 44 - Round head

Picture 2 = dot 1d 44 - Pointed head

Picture 3 = dot 1c 44 = Pointed head

I also checked my SS.G.Pz.Gr.46, but it does not have any markings on it at all.

What I am curious about are the characters, letters, numbers, or symbols that appear after the manufactured/date markings. I cannot make out what these are, although the first one almost looks like an "R" and a small "2". R = Rund?

[klarkon]

Behind the manufactured/date markings is The rest of Waffenamt 63, I think.

[WWIIBuff]

Behind the manufactured/date markings is The rest of Waffenamt 63, I think.

Ah yes, now I recognize that on a couple of them.

[bergler]

on mine (7 pieces) there is WaA63 clearly marked. I was not aware that there is a, b, c, and d (and else?) in the number bloc. I thought my theory (a for pointed, b for round tip) was magnificent, but shuttered to pieces within seconds. What a Desaster ;-)

But that is what it makes it interesting as well, not everything clear and in books and referenced and all. Still room for exploration!

[WWIIBuff]

It was a good theory Martin, and I wish it had worked out. I think yours is the only one with a number 2 so far, but what that meant, we may never know.


But I think the most impressive part of your last post is the fact that you said you have 7 of these!!!

[bergler]

It was a good theory Martin, and I wish it had worked out. I think yours is the only one with a number 2 so far, but what that meant, we may never know.


But I think the most impressive part of your last post is the fact that you said you have 7 of these!!!

Yes, 3 ponted and 4 round heads. The ting is that the round heads seem to be of thinner material and always have some holes. Or bigger holes. Very hard to find a round one with no Problem on it.....

[WWIIBuff]

My second rounded grenade is also of thinner material with holes in it. The two minty examples I posted above are heavier and seem to be made out of a thicker material, but yet they are dated 1944, so I do not think they are earlier examples.