Russian WW2 RGD 33 Grenade

The Soviet RGD-33 was an anti-personnel fragmentation stick grenade developed in 1933 from the Model 1914 grenade used during World War I.

The RGD-33 is constructed with a central detonator around which is the 80 gram (TNT) bursting charge. The charge is contained within a cylindrical can attached to a short throwing handle. Between the outer metal casing and the explosive charge is a series of deeply embossed steel cylindrical shells. Upon detonation the shells fragment in a multitude of mainly rectangular shaped thin steel fragments, which, along with the casing and detonator fragments, retard rapidly in air. Due the fragments rapid loss of velocity the lethal radius is small, making this grenade an "offensive" type. The grenade was unusual but not unique, in that it had an optional "jacket" – a thick metal fragmentation sleeve weighing around 270 grams. When fitted over the grenade the sleeve improves the lethal radius by producing a number of diamond shaped heavier fragments which are lethal over a greater distance. With the jacket installed the grenade was said to be in "defensive" mode.

The fragmentation lethal radius was approximately 15 meters with the sleeve and 10 m without. As with most grenades of this era, there is the potential for some very large fragments to be projected to a distance much further than the thrower can lob the grenade.

The total weight of the grenade including the fragmentation sleeve was 771 grams. The grenade’s overall length was 191 mm and has a diameter of 52 mm with sleeve attached.

Before use, a locking catch on the handle must be operated and fuze inserted into the top of the can to make the grenade operational.

The grenade, which used a 3.5 to 4 second fuse, could be thrown about 35-40 meters.

The grenade was complicated to use and manufacture. After the German invasion of Russia the simple and crude RG-42 was developed to replace it.