What is stick grenade?

The stick grenade, also known as the "potato masher" due to its distinctive shape, was a type of hand grenade used by the German military during World War I and World War II. It was designed for easy handling and throwing by infantry soldiers, with a long wooden handle that provided greater leverage for throwing long distances.

The stick grenade had a simple ignition system, with a pull-cord attached to the handle that, when pulled, activated the grenade's fuse. This allowed soldiers to safely carry the grenade with the fuse unlit until they were ready to throw it.

The explosive component of the stick grenade was housed in a metal casing at the end of the wooden handle, which contained a high explosive filler and a fragmentation sleeve to increase its lethality upon detonation.

While the stick grenade was an effective and widely used weapon during the world wars, it was eventually replaced by more modern grenade designs with improved safety and performance features. Today, the stick grenade is primarily used as a historical artifact or in military re-enactments.