Description
The M7 and M7A1 are used to control counterinsurgencies and for other tactical missions. They also may be used to simulate casualty agents during training.
Grenade M7 and Grenade M7A1 are burning type riot control agent grenades. CN has a powerful lachrymal effect and is irritating to the upper respiratory passages. In higher concentrations it is irritating to the skin, causing a burning and itching sensation. The onset of incapacitation is 15 to 30 seconds and duration from 5 to 20 minutes depending upon dosage concentration.
The grenade bodies of these grenades are of thin sheet metal and are cylindrical in shape. The filling is compressed into the grenade body, a tapered hole being formed through the body of the filling. The top surface of the filling and the tapered walls of the hole are coated with starter mixture (to aid ignition of the fuel by the fuze).
Hand grenade fuze M201A1 is a pyrotechnic delay igniting fuze. The body contains a primer, first-fire mixture, pyrotechnic delay column and igniter mixture. Assembled to the body are a striker, striker spring, safety lever and safety pin with pull ring. The split end of the safety pin has an angular spread.
Safety clips are not required with these grenades.
The M7 and M7A1 have different filler weights, location and number of emission holes.
M7 - 18 holes in side.
M7A1 - 4 holes in top. 1 hole in bottom.
Functioning
Removal of the safety pin permits release of the safety lever. When the safety lever is released, it is forced away from the grenade body by a striker acting under the force of a striker spring. The striker rotates on its own axis and strikes the percussion primer. The fuze delay element, ignition mixture, and grenade starter mixture and filler are initiated in turn by the preceding component. The pressure sensitive tape is blown off the emission holes and the CN agent is emitted for 15 to 30 seconds.
Hazardous Components
No information about hazardous components.
See Also
Nothing else to see.
Source(s)
Old Chemical Weapons and Related Materiel Reference Guide (2018)
TM 43-0001-29, Grenades (chg 4, 2002)
TM 3-300, Ground Chemical Munitions (1956)
OP 1664, Volume 2 - US Explosive Ordnance (1947)
