Original U.S M15 White Phosphorous Inert Smoke Grenade with M1 Projection Grenade Adapter - Willie Pete

Original Item: Only One Available. Totally inert grenade in full compliance with BATF guidelines with hollow body and inert fuse. This grenade cannot be converted to an explosive device and is not available for export.

This WP Smoke grenade is original and at some point had an M1 Projection grenade adapter added to the bottom. The grenade has a yellow band painted with the text:

SMOKE
WP
EA-8-42
LOT-123

The adapter, which is welded to the bottom, is marked:

ADAPTER, GRENADE
PROJECTION M1
LOT EC3-171 1943

The original fuze is unmarked and can be unscrewed for inspection of the interior. A very interesting grenade, ready for further research and display.

The M15 (sometimes nicknamed "Willy Pete" for white phosphorous) was a white phosphorous smoke grenade that was developed by the United States during World War II. The M15 White Phosphorous Grenade was widely used by the United States Military throughout World War II. Notably, it was used in extensive numbers in the Pacific for its abilities to clear out hard to reach defensive positions used by the Japanese such as in caves and mountainsides. The white phosphorous coupled with the smoke made staying in such locations virtually impossible. By December 1945, some 5,800,000 examples had been produced.

The M15 was initially intended to be a screening weapon, a tool designed to cover troop movements or disrupt enemy fire. However, in practice, the bursting design coupled with the emitted white phosphorous burning at over 2,700 degrees Celsius made the grenade an effective weapon against enemy infantry. The bursting radius of the grenade was about 17 meters with the white phosphorous having a burn time of approximately sixty seconds. Anyone within the 17 meter radius would have to be covered or run the risk of being hit by the many white phosphorous particles in the air. Any white phosphorous in contact with skin would have to be doused in water to avoid further combustion.

The grenade's body is cylindrical in shape with either an M6A3 or M206 fuse on top and rounded edges. To activate, the procedure is to remove the safety pin and let go of the handle. The fuse would go off after about four and a half seconds. The average throwing range for the weapon was about 30 meters. The body itself is made of 18 gage steel and has a length of 114 mm. The total length of the grenade fuse included is 136 mm while the diameter is 64 mm. The total weight is 880 grams with 425 grams of that being the white phosphorous filling.

Generally, most M15 grenades were marked with a standard coat of grey paint with yellow lettering and a single yellow band across the diameter of the grenade.