No 77 smoke grenade

No 77 smoke grenade history

No 77 smoke grenade came into service in the British Army in 1943. It consists of phosphorus which reacts immediately with the contact of air, emitting a large white smoke. Its use is thus dedicated to the reporting of a position or to mask its action to the opponent.

The firing pin fires at impact. In the case of a smoke grenade, the power of the detonator is not without danger for the personnel in the vicinity during detonation. On the other hand, the reaction of phosphorus with air is also conducive to the outbreak of a fire, and grenade No 77 smoke grenade can also be used to destroy the tube of an artillery cannon.

This smoke grenade is used from 1943 to 1945 and especially during the Battle of Normandy. The metal used to contain the phosphorus was quickly wasted and in 1948 the remaining stock of No 77 grenades was destroyed as they were considered obsolete. Canadians produced it until 1950, using better quality metals.

No 77 smoke grenade specification

Creator: Britain
Users : Commonwealth
Denomination: Grenade, hand, Smoke, No. 77

Type of grenade: smoke grenade

Detonation mecanism: detonation at impact

Filling: 224 grams of white phosphorus