DEACTIVATED INERT. French WW1 Viven-Bessières (VB) Rifle Grenade. O 1672 DEACTIVATED INERT. French WW1 Viven-Bessières (VB) Rifle Grenade. O 1672 Other Ammunition

DEACTIVATED INERT. This is an original WW1 French Viven-Bessières, commonly called the VB rifle grenade developed during WW1. The grenade was fired by a cup discharger fitted to the standard Lebel infantry rifle and was fired unusually by a live round, the bullet going through the centre of the grenade, thus arming the mechanism and the residue gasses launching the grenade. The grenade is of a cylindrical shape and was made of cast iron with internal grooves to facilitate fragmentation. The grenade has two internal tubes. The first, central, allows the passage of the ball that sends the grenade, the second contains the detonator. This cast iron grenade has cast into the side VO. The brass fuse holder is stamped FCP 68 37 in the side. No licence is required to possess this item in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. The price includes UK delivery. O 1672 £125