F1 grenade (France)

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For other uses, see F1 grenade.
F1 grenade
Defensive fragmentation grenade 16 type WWI.png
From left to right: F1 with M1916 Billant fuse, F1 body, F1 with percussion fuse.
Type Percussion, then time-fused grenade
Place of origin  France
Service history
In service 1915–1940[1]
Used by France, United States of America, Finland
Wars World War I and World War II
Production history
Designed 1915
Produced 1915–1940
Weight 570 g[2]
Length 90 mm (without fuse)

Filling Cheddite (World War I model)
Filling weight 60 gr
Timed Friction Fuse

The F1 grenade is a hand grenade used by France during World War I and World War II.


F1 grenade with the percussion fuse.

The F1 was a grenade designed during World War I and used by French infantrymen at the time. Originally, the F1 was designed to use a lighter-based ignition system, but later it began using a percussion cap fuse. Designs such as the M1916 and M1917 Billant fuses turned the F1 into a time-fused grenade, which was the grenade's final ignition system. By World War II, the F1 used the M1935 fuse, which is a time-based fuse, but it differs from the M1916 Billant fuse internally.

The F1 was used up to World War II, where it served as France's primary fragmentation grenade. The French also used P1 grenades and Citron foug grenades. After the war, the F1 grenade was withdrawn from service.


In addition to the French, several other forces used the F1.

United States[edit]

The F1 with the M1916 Billant fuse was the preferred grenade by American forces during World War I. The F1 is the inspiration behind the failed American Mk 1 grenade, which in turn spawned the iconic Mk 2 grenade.

Russian Civil War[edit]

During the Russian Civil War, the F1 was given to the White Movement forces by France. After the civil war, the French F1 design was modified into the Russian F1 grenade design.[3][better source needed]

See also[edit]


  2. ^ "Finnish Junkyard". Saunalahti.fi. Retrieved 2012-09-18. 
  3. ^ "Pics Russian F1 War Time Grenade?? Possible French F1?? at War relics forum". Warrelics.eu. Retrieved 2012-09-18. 

External links[edit]