Original Imperial Japanese Inert Type 23 Fragmentation Grenade with Original Fuze Cover - Very Rare

Item DescriptionOriginal Item. Only One Available. This hand grenade is documented in several U.S. military publications of the period, identified as the Japanese Type 23, or sometimes referred to as simply the Japanese 'Pull-Type' grenade. It has a cast iron body which contains an explosive filler of flaked TNT. A simple 5-1/2 second delay fuze was protected by a screw-on lead cover with a thumb released locking catch. This is one of the scarcest Japanese grenades of the Second World War.Unloaded or dummy grenades, artillery shell casings, and similar devices, which are cut or drilled in an BATF-approved manner so that they cannot be used as ammunition components for destructive devices, are not considered NFA weapons. This example is in total compliance and is NOT AVAILABLE FOR EXPORT.Confusion often exists among militaria collectors since the embossed '23 Type' (Kanji in the center circle on the cap.) does not fit the usual date / type scheme associated with other Japanese ordnance. Someone familiar with Japanese identification practices of the time might deduce the '23' indicates the Meiji Era. Meiji 23 would be 1867+23=1890 (just before the Sino-Japanese War 1894-1895), but the grenade's design is a bit too advanced for that time period. Also, the grenade's appearance and fuze function is quite different from other contemporary Japanese cast iron grenades.With the start of the second Sino-Japanese War (WWII) heavy fighting with the Russians and Japanese put extreme demands on the limited manufacturing capability available to the Chinese. A simple grenade which could be produced in small, less sophisticated machine shops made practical sense. This led to a grenade design using a somewhat obsolete friction igniter rather than a more advanced striker/primer system. That feature, along with simple casting methods and common materials, allowed factories with advanced tooling to focus on weapons requiring more demanding manufacturing technology.When the Japanese advanced south from Manchuria, they captured stores of existing grenades as well as shops that made them. The Japanese used captured grenades to further supply their army and also kept those shops producing grenades for continued use in country, helping the occupying army to be self-sufficient.By 1943, Japanese supply lines leading South from the mainland were being continually disrupted. Distribution of Type 23 grenades from occupied China to troops fighting Allied forces in the South Pacific became a necessity, especially since those southern supply lines were relatively un-molested. The Type 23 started to appeared to U.S. forces in South Pacific campaigns. Unknown to the Allies, it was assumed by American intelligence to be a new simplified Japanese design. (They often appeared as booby traps and G.I.s were warned to keep an eye out for dead soldiers rigged with Type 23 grenades. The attachment rings and pull fuze made the Type 23 well suited to that application.)This example is in good but heavily worn condition. The fuze cover does not screw on but sits well for display. The hanging ring is gone and the fuze does not unscrew from the body, and appears stuck in place. A great but relic example, ready for further research and display!Shipping RestrictionsThis product is not available for international shipping.Payment OptionsNot eligible for payment with Paypal or AmazonLegal InformationTotally inert, cannot be converted to an explosive device, not available for export. This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America.All deactivated ordnance sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).