| Wurfkörper 361 | |
|---|---|
 A schematic of components. | |
| Type | Rifle grenade |
| Place of origin | Germany |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Wehrmacht |
| Wars | World War II[1] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 230 g (8.1 oz) |
| Length | 180 mm (6.9 in) |
| Diameter | Stem: 26 mm (1 in) Grenade: 60 mm (2.4 in)[1] |
| Maximum firing range | 78 m (85 yd) at 45° |
| Warhead | Amatol |
| Warhead weight | 110 g (4 oz) |
Detonation mechanism | 4.5 secondtime fuze[1] |
TheWurfkörper 361 was agrenade that was developed by Germany and used by theWehrmacht duringWorld War II. The Wurfkörper 361 was designed to be fired from aLeuchtpistole orflare gun in English.
The Wurfkörper 361 was a grenade that could be fired from theLeuchtpistole 34,Leuchtpistole 42, orSturmpistole giving German troops a small and lightweight grenade launcher for engaging targets from close range which could not be engaged satisfactorily by infantry weapons or artillery without endangering friendly troops.[1]
The Wurfkörper 361 grenade was formed by screwing a bakelite or wooden stem into anEierhandgranate 39 which allowed it to be fired from a Leuchtpistole. Inside the base of the stem, there was a flash cap inside an alloy flash tube which connected to a time fuze in the base of the grenade. The Leuchtpistole was abreak action gun and a brass or aluminumshell casing containing propellant was pushed into the breech of the gun. Then the safety pin at the base of the stem was removed arming the grenade and the stem was inserted into the muzzle of the gun until it slipped inside the shell casing. The gun would then be closed and the hammer cocked for firing. When the gun fired the stem and grenade were forced from the barrel and the striker in the base of the stem ignited a flash cap and a jet of flame traveled up the flash tube and ignited the time fuze. Once the time fuze expired the grenade detonated.[2]
The Wurfkörper 361 was considered more effective than theWurfgranate Patrone 326 due to its larger explosive charge but each grenade had its own mission. The Wurfgranate Patrone 326 was used for low angledirect fire where range and accuracy were needed while the Wurfkörper 361 was used for high angleindirect fire where itsshrapnel would be useful. The Wurfkörper 361 was not recommended for use at less than 46 m (50 yd) due to the risk from shrapnel and its maximum range was limited to around 78 m (85 yd) at 45° because the grenade had a 4.5 secondtime fuze.[2]