Any insight into this would be appreciated. I noticed it when they ran film from the Vietnam war and it made me very curious as to why it would've been done. I tried to google it for more info but had no luck. Does anyone have any idea whether this was a cosmetic choice by the soldier on film, or if there was an actual reason for it? Just to keep track of the grenades thrown? Someone watching with me suggested that maybe it was in case they had an opportunity to re-pin an incoming grenade, but that seems crazy to me.
Any insight you may have is appreciated, seeing it made me curious, and not being able to find any information at all was very frustrating. Thanks for reading this long post, and for any information you might have.
Someone watching with me suggested that maybe it was in case they had an opportunity to re-pin an incoming grenade, but that seems crazy to me.
It is. The pin itself on a Vietnam-era grenade does nothing except hold the lever (spoon) in place. The grenade striker is springloaded, but held apart from the primer by the lever. Here's a diagram.
So, if you're holding a grenade and pull the pin, nothing will happen because your hand is holding the lever in place and preventing the striker spring from actuating the striker. Once you throw it, the striker spring will simultaneously launch the lever away (because you're not holding it in place) and force the striker into the primer. The primer will detonate, and ignite the fuze, which will then burn until it hits the main charge. At which point, of course, the grenade will fulfill it's raison d'être.
Putting the pin back in place in that situation will achieve nothing. The lever will be long gone, and even if you put them both back, they fuze is already lit.
I won't speculate about why grenade pins were kept, but I can without equivocation shoot down that theory.
My best GUESS would be that it's a form of tallying. Much like you would see on a fighter plane or a football helmet. Almost a sort of status mark amongst other soldiers. Bragging rights if you may. This could be completely wrong as well though, and is only speculation.
