The German rifle grenade key (Gewehrgranatenschlüssel)During World War II, the German army developed several devices to enhance the versatility of its infantry weapons. One of these was theGewehrgranatenschlüssel, orrifle grenade key. This specific device was used in conjunction with theGewehrgranatgerät(rifle grenade device), an attachment mounted on the barrel end of the standard infantry rifle—usually theKarabiner 98k—to fire rifle grenades.Function of the grenade keyThe rifle grenade wrench was an essential tool formaintaining, disassembling, and assemblingthe rifle grenade device. The device itself consisted of several metal parts that required regular cleaning and adjustment, especially after repeated use with high-powered grenades.