Type L grenade

L type
L type
Type	Anti-tank grenade
Place of origin	Italy
Service history
In service	1940-1945
Used by	Royal Italian Army
Wars	World War II
Production history
Manufacturer	Odero Terni Orlando
Specifications
Mass	2040 g
Height	320 mm
Diameter	120 mm
Filling	TNT
Filling weight	1500 g
Detonation; mechanism	Percussion on impact

The Type L is an anti-tank hand grenade provided to the Royal Italian Army during World War II.

Description

Designed for anti-tank use is practically an OTO inside a painted red cylindrical container filled with 1500 gr explosive charge with a wooden handle to facilitate the launch.

The type L is designed to be used against vehicles and tanks, the bomb had essentially the task of destroying the track to immobilize it, since the charge was insufficient for its destruction, but made the tank still vulnerable to possible attacks from the infantry, the soldiers at this point proceeded to place explosive charges or throw incendiary grenades into the engine compartment covered by some smoke grenade.^[1]

The bomb consists of a metal casing with a wooden throwing handle. On the upper part of the casing there is a tab for removing the safety pin, and a small metal strip protruding from the base of the handle. The strip is a second safety precaution. The metal strip is held in position by the wire on the side of the handle. This wire is held in position by a piece of wired tape secured by a pin.^[2]

Operational use

Before launching the L type it is necessary to remove the metal tab security at the base of the cylinder containing the explosive charge, then, firmly holding the handle, remove the pin at the base of the handle. Make sure that the wire rewind safely. When the grenade is thrown, the wire releases the second safety pin.^[3]

References

^ Pignato, Nicola (1971). Le armi della fanteria italiana nella seconda guerra mondiale. Ermanno Albertelli Editore.
^ Talpo, Marco. "Description of the bomb on Talpo.it".
^ "Descriptio on the correct throw from US troops field manual".

[1] Pignato, Nicola (1971). Le armi della fanteria italiana nella seconda guerra mondiale. Ermanno Albertelli Editore.

[2] Talpo, Marco. "Description of the bomb on Talpo.it".

[3] "Descriptio on the correct throw from US troops field manual".

[1]

[2]

[3]

v t e Italian firearms and light weapons of World War II
Side arms	Beretta M1923 Beretta M1934 Beretta M1935 Roth–Steyr M1907 Steyr M1912 Glisenti M1910 Bodeo Model 1889
Rifles and carbines (fucili e moschetti)	Fucile da Fanteria Mod. 1891 Moschetto Mod. 91 da Cavalleria Moschetto per Truppe Speciali Mod. 91 Fucile Mod. 1938 Armaguerra Mod. 39 rifle Moschetto Automatico Revelli-Beretta Mod. 1915
Submachine guns	MAB 38 Onorati Carabinetta Automatica O.V.P FNAB-43 OG-43 TZ-45
Machine guns and other larger weapons	Fiat-Revelli Mod. 1914 Fiat Revelli Mod. 1935 SAFAT M1926 Breda-SAFAT Breda Mod. 1930 Breda Mod. 5C Breda Mod. 1937 Breda Mod. 1938 Solothurn S-18/1000 Fucile Controcarro 35(P)
Grenades	OTO Mod. 35 OTO Mod. 42 SRCM Mod. 35 Breda Mod. 35 Breda Mod. 42 L Type P Bomb
Mortars (mortai)	Brixia Model 35 81/14 Model 35 Mortar
Cartridge	.32 ACP .380 ACP 6.5×52mm Mannlicher-Carcano 7.35×51mm Carcano 8×57mm IS 8×59mm Rb Breda 9×19mm Glisenti 9×19mm Parabellum 20×138mmB

Type L grenade

Description

Operational use

See also

References