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The Model 24 Stielhandgranate was the standard hand grenade of the German Army from the end of World War I until the end of World War II. The very distinctive appearence led to it being called the stick grenade or "Potato masher".
Designed in 1915 it used an friction igniter - uncommon in other countries but widely used for German grenades. The handle was hollow and a string ran from the detonator within the explosive head down through the handle to terminate in a porcelain ball in the base closing cap. In use the base cap was removed and the ball and string fell out, pulling the string dragged a roughened steel rod through the ignitor causing it to flare-up and start the burning of a five second fuse.
