View source for M26 grenade

{{Infobox weapon
| name = M26 grenade
| image = M-61Grenade.jpg
| image_size = 
| caption = M61, a variant of the M26 (manufactured in May 1969)
| origin = United States
| type = [[Hand grenade]]
<!-- Type selection -->| is_explosive = yes
| is_artillery = 
| is_vehicle = 
| is_missile = 
| is_UK = <!-- Service history -->
| service = 1950s–present
| used_by = See ''[[#Users|users]]''
| wars = [[Korean War]]<br>[[Vietnam War]]<br>[[Six-Day War]]<br>[[Yom Kippur War]]<br>[[Falklands War]]<br>[[Syrian Civil War]]
<!-- Production history -->| designer = 
| design_date = 
| production_date = 1950s–present<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label = 
| weight = 16 oz. [454 g]<ref name=nl>{{cite web|author=LEXPEV |url=http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/americas/unitedstates/m26m26a1m61.html |title=M26, M26A1 & M61 |publisher=Lexpev.nl |access-date=2014-05-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inetres.com/gp/military/infantry/grenade/hand.html |title=Hand Grenades |publisher=Inetres.com |access-date=2014-05-03}}</ref>
| length = 99 mm<ref name=nl /> [3 7/8 inches]
| part_length = 
| width = 
| height = 
| diameter = 57 mm<ref name=nl /> [2 1/4 inches]
| crew = <!-- Explosive specifications -->
| filling = [[Composition B]]
| filling_weight = 5.75 oz. [164 g]<ref name=nl />
| detonation = M204-series Timed Friction Fuse <ref name="operatormanuals.tpub.com">{{cite web|url=http://operatormanuals.tpub.com/TM-9-1330-200-12/TM-9-1330-200-120023.htm |title=Table 1: Authorized Hand Grenades |access-date=2013-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050523/http://operatormanuals.tpub.com/TM-9-1330-200-12/TM-9-1330-200-120023.htm |archive-date=2016-03-04 }} Training Manual TM-9-1330-200-12 Grenades. Table 1: Authorized Hand Grenades3</ref>
| yield = 
}}

The '''M26''' is a fragmentation [[hand grenade]] developed by the United States military. It entered service in 1952 and was first used in combat during the [[Korean War]], replacing the [[Mk 2 grenade|Mk 2]] of [[World War II]]. The M26 series was the primary fragmentation grenade used by American forces in the [[Vietnam War]]. It was replaced by the [[M67 grenade|M33 series grenade]]. Its distinct [[lemon]] shape led it to being nicknamed the "lemon grenade" (compare the Russian [[F1 grenade (Russia)|F1]] and American [[Mk 2 grenade|Mk 2]] "pineapple" grenades).

== History ==
[[File:Ethiopian Soldiers Korean War.jpg|thumb|right|Ethiopian Soldiers from the [[Kagnew Battalion]], 7th Inf. Div., in [[Korean War|Korea]], 1953]]
The M26 series was created after [[World War II]] to meet criticisms of the [[Mk 2 grenade|Mk 2]]. Rather than relying on a cast body to produce fragments like the Mk 2 the M26 had a thin sheet-metal body and the fragments were instead created by a notched wire coiled up inside which produced smaller fragments but a greater number traveling at a higher velocity and distributed them more evenly than the Mk 2, giving it a larger effective casualty producing radius.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=Technical Manual 9-1330-200 / Navy Ordnance Pamphlet 3833 Grenades, Hand and Rifle |date=24 June 1966 |publisher=Department of the Army, Department of the Navy}}</ref> The fragments were also more consistently sized posing less of a risk of a stray fragment traveling further than intended and endangering the user.<ref name=":0" /> Its [[Composition B]] filler was considered safer than the flaked or granular [[TNT]] filling used in the Mk 2. The M26 is lighter than the Mk 2 at 16 ounces to the Mk 2's 21 ounces It also benefited from the M204A1 fuse introduced late in Mk 2 production, which creates no noise, smoke, or sparks when ignited which could give away the user's position, unlike the earlier M5/M6/M10/M11 fuzes used on the Mk2 for the majority of World War II.<ref name=":0" />

Development of what would become the M26 began in January 1949.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Report of Project Nr. 2601 (Arctic), Grenade, Hand, Fragmentation, M26 |date=30 April 1954 |publisher=Army Field Forces Artic Test Branch}}</ref> After passing an expedited service test in February 1952 during the [[Korean War]], it replaced the Mk 2 as the US military's standard fragmentation hand grenade, though the Mk 2 would see use in the [[Vietnam War]].{{sfn|Rottman|2015|page=26}}

The M26 series (M26/M61) began to be replaced by the [[M67 grenade|M33 series grenade]] (M33/M67) in 1969.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Army Buildup Progress Report |date=5 February 1969 |publisher=Deputy Secretary of the General Staff (Coordination And Reports)}}</ref> While the M26 proved to be effective, it also had an inconsistent casualty radius and was heavy, at {{cvt|1|lb}}. Though production ceased in the United States, remaining stockpiles remained in US service during the 1970s.{{sfn|Rottman|2015|page=28}}

The grenades were stored inside fiberboard containers and were packed 25 or 30 to a crate.{{sfn|Departments of the Army and Navy|1971|page=2−16}}{{sfn|Logistics Command|1970|page=106}}

==Variants==

=== Live Variants ===

=== T38E1 ===
The T38E1 was the final experimental variant which was approved and redesignated as the M26.

=== M26 ===
The M26 was the original variant of the M26 series. Initially it used the M204A1 fuze originally introduced towards the end of [[Mk 2 grenade|Mk 2]] production. Later M26 production used the updated M204A2 fuze.<ref name=":0" />

=== M26A1 ===
The M26A1 is an M26 that has the fragmentation coil redesigned to have a square rather than circular cross-section and has deeper serrations to aid in fragmentation. It also added a small [[tetryl]] [[Explosive booster|booster charge]] on its [[fuze]] to completely [[detonate]] the explosive filler (displaced to 5.5 ounces (160 g) because of the added booster charge) and used the updated M204A2 fuze. It was adopted in American service in 1958.

=== M26A2 ===
The M26A2 is similar to the M26A1 but wider and shorter, without tetryl booster pellets, instead containing 6.3 ounces of Composition B filler (0.8 ounces more than the M26A1) and a larger 5⁄8-inch (16&nbsp;mm) fuze well capable of accepting either the M215 delay fuze or the M217 impact fuze.<ref name=":0" />{{sfn|Departments of the Army and Navy|1971|page=2−16}}<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |title=Field Manual 23-30 Grenades and Pyrotechnic Signals |date=16 December 1969 |publisher=Department of the Army}}</ref> 

When thrown, the M217 fuze lever would fly off and the striker would ignite the primer that activated a thermal power source after 1−2 seconds. The grenade would detonate upon impact afterwards. If it did not impact or the impact mechanism failed, the thermal source would continue burning making the grenade explode after 4 seconds. If it still failed to detonate, the source would continue burning for 30 seconds and become inactive.  Early M26A2s had red levers, some with the word "IMPACT" written in black letters, while later grenades had "IMPACT" embossed on their levers. The impact fuzes were impopular with soldiers: armed grenades caused friendly casualties after being accidentally dropped or if they struck vegetation. According to Rottman, some M26A2s were fitted with a M204A1 delay fuse.{{sfn|Rottman|2015|page=26}}

=== M56 ===
The M56 is the M26A2 with the M215 delay fuze with the addition of a safety clip.<ref name=":2" />

=== M57 ===
The M57 is the M26A2 with the M217 impact fuze with the addition of a safety clip.{{sfn|Departments of the Army and Navy|1971|page=2−15}}

===M61===
[[File:M61 cropped.jpg|thumb|upright|M61 showing the additional safety clip]]
The M61 is the M26A1 with the addition of a safety clip (informally referred to as a "jungle clip").{{sfn|Rottman|2015|page=28}} The safety clip is a bent spring steel wire which loops around the neck of the fuze body and passes over the safety lever holding it down.{{sfn|Departments of the Army and Navy|1971|page=2−7}} This acts as a redundant safety preventing the grenade from detonating even if the safety pin were to be accidentally pulled such as if snagged on jungle vegetation. The user rotates the safety clip off the safety lever with the thumb of their non-throwing hand at the same time as they pull the pin with their index finger. Existing stocks of M26 and M26A1s were converted to M61s with the addition of the safety clip.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |title=Field Manual 23-30 Grenades and Pyrotechnic Signals |date=27 December 1988 |publisher=Department of the Army}}</ref>

=== M1A2 Grenade Projection Adapter ===
The M26 series (with the exception of those with M217 impact fuzes) can be fired from any rifle with a NATO-standard [[22 mm grenade|22mm muzzle]] by use of the M1A2 Grenade Projection Adapter which was originally developed for the Mk 2.<ref name=":0" />

=== Practice Variants ===

=== T39 ===
The T39 was the experimental practice version redesignated as M30.<ref name=":0" />

=== M30 ===
The M30 is the practice version of the M26 grenade. It had a cast-iron body with a plastic base plug. It had a filler of 21 grains of black powder and used the M10A2/M10A3/M10A4 or M205A1/M205A2 series of fuzes. Its body is painted light blue with markings in white; earlier variants had a brown band across the middle.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> The body was embossed with the symbols "RFX55" for its manufacturer Richmond Foundry and Manufacturing Company. When the grenade detonated, the overpressure made the plug pop out with a loud noise and released a plume of white smoke.<ref name=":0" /> The body is reusable.<ref name=":0" /> It was originally the basis for an experimental hand grenade that was never put into production.{{Citation needed|date=March 2025}}

=== M50 ===
The M50 was a "live fire" conversion of the M30 Practice grenade for use on training ranges. It sealed the base plug, used the M204A1 fuze, and replaced the low-explosive black powder filler with high-explosive Composition B. It allowed the training of recruits with greater safety because it lacked the fragmentation coil of the M26 and had a smaller blast radius. This also used up obsolete ordnance by utilizing worn M30 bodies as its base.

=== M52 ===
The M52 is the practice version of the M2A2 with M217 impact fuze. It uses the M225 fuze.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Horton |first=2LT Gerald M. |title=Service Test of Practice Hand Grenade, XM52 with Fuze, XM225 Final Report |date=February 1968}}</ref>

=== M62 ===
The M62 is the practice version of the M61, it is a M30 with the addition of a safety clip.<ref name=":2" /> Later versions of the M62 had a larger  5⁄8-inch (16&nbsp;mm) fuze well and used the M228 fuze.<ref name=":3" /> Its body and lever are painted blue to identify it as a practice grenade.

=== M66 ===
The M66 is the practice version of the M57, it is a M52 with a safety clip.

===L2 (United Kingdom)===
[[Image:L2A2.JPG|thumb|upright|right|A British L2-A2 fragmentation grenade]]

The '''L2 series''' (with a green shell) is the British version of the M26; it has a 4.4 second fuze. The L2 was like the early M26 (except it used the L25 series fuze), the L2A1 was like the product-improved M26A1, and the L2A2 was a variant of the L2A1 with a redesigned fuze well for ease of mass production.<ref name="militaryfactory.com">[http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=555 '''Military Factory''' ''L2 Anti-Personnel Fragmentation Hand Grenade'']</ref> <br>The '''L3 series''' (with a light blue shell and a black powder filler) is the Practice grenade variant.<ref name="militaryfactory.com"/><ref name="weaponsystems.net">{{cite web |title=M26 |url=http://weaponsystems.net/weapon.php?weapon=BB01%20-%20M26 |access-date=2013-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117014722/http://weaponsystems.net/weapon.php?weapon=BB01%20-%20M26 |archive-date=2015-11-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref> <br>The '''L4 series''' (with a dark blue shell, non-functional fuze, and no filler) is the inert Drill grenade variant.<ref name="militaryfactory.com"/><ref name="weaponsystems.net"/>

===DM41 (West Germany)===

[[File:DM41 hand grenade_cutaway.png|thumb|left|West German DM41 fragmentation grenade filled with Composition B. This example has been dissected to reveal the fragmentation sleeve and explosive charge]]
The DM41 or DM41A1 is a [[West German]] copy of the M26A1 hand grenade, manufactured by [[Diehl Defence]] of [[Nuremberg]]. Production ended around 1975 when the DM51 explosive fragmentation hand grenade was adopted by the [[Bundeswehr]].<ref name="DM 41">{{Cite web|url=https://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/europe/germany/dm41.html|title = DM 41}}</ref>
{{clear}}

==Users==
*{{flag|Australia}}: Australia adopted the M26, but it has been replaced by the [[F1 grenade (Australia)|F1 grenade]].<ref>{{cite web|author=LEXPEV |url=http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/middleeastasia/australia/index.html |title=Australian grenades |publisher=Lexpev.nl |access-date=2014-05-03}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|Brazil|1964}} [[Military dictatorship in Brazil]] / {{flag|Brazil}}: Used by the [[Brazilian Army]].{{sfn|Logistics Command|1970|page=106}}
*{{flag|Canada}}: Canada adopted the M61, but it has since been replaced by the [[C13 grenade]], a Canadian-made version of the M67 grenade.<ref>{{cite web|author=LEXPEV |url=http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/americas/canada/index.html |title=Canadian grenades |publisher=Lexpev.nl |access-date=2014-05-03}}</ref>
*{{flag|Chile}}{{sfn|Rottman|2015|page=137}}
*{{flag|Colombia}}: Used by the [[Colombian Army]]. Produced by [[INDUMIL|Military Industry of Colombia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indumil.gov.co/product/granada-imc-mg-m26-he/|title=Granada IMC MG M26 HE – Indumil}}</ref>
*{{flag|Ethiopian Empire}} / {{flagicon|Ethiopia|1974}} [[Derg]] : Used during the [[Korean War]].{{sfn|Rottman|2015|page=26}}
*{{flag|West Germany}} / {{flag|Germany}}: Used by the West German [[Bundeswehr]] until the DM51 grenade was adopted circa 1975.<ref name="DM 41"/>
*{{flag|Guatemala}}{{sfn|Rottman|2015|page=137}}
*{{flag|Israel}}: The M26A2 was adopted in Israel as the M26, and is still in use in that country.<ref>{{cite web|author=LEXPEV |url=http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/middleeastasia/israel/m26a2.html |title=M-26 |publisher=Lexpev.nl |access-date=2014-05-03}}</ref> Its variant added an improved safety fuze in 2012, aimed to ensure the grenade will not explode if struck by an enemy bullet.<ref>http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/154626#.UaPin5zi6F1 ''Learning from Tragedy, IDF Develops Safer Hand Grenade'' (4/9/2012), Israel National News</ref>
*{{flag|Japan}}: Used by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, ex-US Army stock.{{sfn|Rottman|2015|page=137}}
*{{flag|Liberia}}{{sfn|Rottman|2015|page=137}}
*{{flag|New Zealand}}{{sfn|Rottman|2015|page=137}}
*{{flag|Nicaragua}}{{sfn|Rottman|2015|page=137}}
*{{flagicon|Nigeria|1966}} [[Military dictatorship in Nigeria]] / {{flag|Nigeria}}: British L2 series supplied to [[Nigerian Armed Forces|Nigerian government forces]] during the [[Nigerian Civil War]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Jowett |first1=Philip |title=Modern African Wars (5): The Nigerian-Biafran War 1967–70 |date=22 September 2016 |publisher=[[Osprey Publishing]] |isbn=9781472816092}}</ref>
*{{flag|North Korea}}: Used by North Korean Special forces.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bemil.chosun.com/nbrd/gallery/view.html?b_bbs_id=10044&pn=1&num=177361|title = 북괴군 특작부대, 무장공비 사용화기, 장비}}</ref>
*{{flag|Pakistan}}{{sfn|Rottman|2015|page=137}}
*{{flag|Third Philippine Republic|1946}} / {{flag|Fourth Philippine Republic|1986}} / {{flag|Philippines}}: Used by [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]] and [[Philippine National Police]]-[[Special Action Force]] 
*{{flagicon|Portuguese Republic|1933}} [[Estado Novo (Portugal)]] / {{flag|Portugal}}: Portugal adopted the M26A1 and produced it under license as the M312.<ref>{{cite web|author=LEXPEV |url=http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/europe/portugal/index.html |title=Portuguese grenades |publisher=Lexpev.nl |access-date=2014-05-03}}</ref>
* {{flag|Rwanda|1962}} / {{flag|Rwanda}}: South African M26 grenades supplied to the Rwandan government in October 1992.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Smyth |first1=Frank |title=Arming Rwanda - The Arms Trade and Human Rights Abuses in the Rwandan War |url=https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/RWANDA941.PDF#page=15 |website=hrw.org |publisher=[[Human Rights Watch|Human Rights Watch Arms Project]] |access-date=9 April 2022 |date=January 1994}}</ref>
*{{Flagicon|South Africa|1982}} [[South African Constitution of 1961|South African]] / {{flag|South Africa}}: South Africa produced the M963, itself a variant of the Portuguese M312, under license.<ref>{{cite web|author=LEXPEV |url=http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/middleeastasia/southafrica/index.html |title=South African grenades |publisher=Lexpev.nl |access-date=2014-05-03}}</ref> Production would later comprise a copy of the standard M26 grenade designated as the M26 HE Hand Grenade, a blue training version with a reusable aluminium body designated as the M26 Practice Hand Grenade, and an inert training version designated as the M26 Drill Hand Grenade,<ref>{{cite book |title=A/3/O8/PL GREN Training with Grenades |date=February 1980 |publisher=[[South African Army#"Border War" (1966–1989)|SA Army Headquarters]]}}</ref> with these designs remaining in production<ref>{{Cite web |author = Denel Land Systems |author-link = Denel Land Systems |url=http://www.denel.co.za/Landsystems/LS_PyrotechnicsGrenades.pdf |title=Grenade Datasheets |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060914233456/http://www.denel.co.za/Landsystems/LS_PyrotechnicsGrenades.pdf |archive-date=14 September 2006 |access-date=3 November 2020 }}</ref> and in South African military and police service.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fact File: M26 fragmentation hand grenade|url=http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6708:fact-file-m26-fragmentation-hand-grenade&catid=79:fact-files&Itemid=159|publisher=DefenceWeb|access-date=3 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140504040152/http://www.defenceweb.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6708:fact-file-m26-fragmentation-hand-grenade&catid=79:fact-files&Itemid=159|archive-date=4 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sapstf.org/Equipment.aspx|title=SAP Special Task Force|website=www.sapstf.org}}</ref>
*{{flag|South Vietnam}}:<ref name="mcnab2002">{{cite book |last=McNab |first=Chris|title=20th Century Military Uniforms |year=2002 |edition=2nd |publisher=Grange Books |location=Kent |isbn=1-84013-476-3|page=308}}</ref> South Vietnam received the M26 grenade as US aid. Production and sales of the M26 continued to South Vietnam even after the US military adopted the M26A1 / M61 and M33 / M67.
*{{flag|Taiwan}}{{sfn|Rottman|2015|page=137}}
*{{flag|United Kingdom}}: The L2 series replaced the [[Mills Bomb|M36 Mills Bomb]] in British service. It was replaced by the [[HG 85#L109A1|L109A1]] grenade during the 2000s.<ref>{{cite web|author=LEXPEV |url=http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/europe/unitedkingdom/l2serie.html |title=L2 serie |publisher=Lexpev.nl |access-date=2014-05-03}}</ref>
*{{flag|United States}}: The M26 was introduced during the Korean War. It was limited standard issue at the beginning of the Vietnam War and was soon replaced by the M26A1 / M61 (1958), M26A2 / M57 (1960), and M33 / [[M67 grenade|M67]] (1968) as standard issue.

==References==
{{reflist}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last1=Departments of the Army and Navy |title=TM 9 1330 200, Grenades, Hand And Rifle |date=1971 |publisher=Department of the Army |location=Washington, D.C. |url=https://archive.org/details/TM91330200GrenadesHandAndRifle/mode/2up |access-date=31 March 2025 |language=English}}
*{{cite book |last1=Logistics Command |first1=Brazilian Army |title=Armazenamento, Conservação, Transporte e Destruição de Munições, Explosivos e Artifícios (T 9-1903) |trans-title=Storage, Conservation, Transportation and Disposal of Ammunition, Explosives and Ordnance (T 9-1903)|date=1970 |edition=1st |url=http://bdex.eb.mil.br/jspui/handle/123456789/9467 |language=pt-br}}
*{{cite book |last1=Rottman |first1=Gordon L. |title=The Hand Grenade |date=2015 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-1-4728-0735-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3D-VCwAAQBAJ |language=en}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
*[http://www.lexpev.nl/grenades/americas/unitedstates/m26m26a1m61.html Pictures of the M26]
*[http://www.inert-ord.net/usa03a/usa3/m61/index.html Overview of the M61]
*[http://www.big-ordnance.com/grenades/Gren3/M26A2.jpg Picture of the M26A2]
*[http://www.safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/998/1591 Accidental M26 hand grenade blast injuries in the Transkei region of South Africa: A case report]

[[Category:Hand grenades of the United States]]
[[Category:Fragmentation grenades]]
[[Category:Military equipment introduced in the 1950s]]