| HG 85 fragmentation grenade | |
|---|---|
| Type | Time-fused grenade |
| Place of origin |
 Switzerland |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Switzerland, United Kingdom, The Netherlands |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Munitionsfabrik Altdorf, today RUAG |
| Designed | 1985 |
| Produced | 1985 -... |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 465g[1] |
| Length | 97mm[1] |
| Diameter | 65mm[1] |
|
| |
| Filling | TNT |
| Filling weight | 155g[1] |
Detonation mechanism | Time Fuse |
The HG 85 is a round fragmentation hand grenade designed for the Swiss Armed Forces and still produced by RUAG Ammotec in Switzerland. Due to its special constructed fuze and packaging, it is considered especially secure. For these reasons, it is also used in a number of other European Armies and Armies in the Middle and Far East. HG 85 is the internal designation of the Swiss Army and replaces the HG 43 from WWII.
It entered service in the Swiss Army in 1985.
Variants[]
L109[]
The L109 is the British designation for the HG 85. It differs from the HG 85 in that it has a special safety clip (matte black in colour) which is similar to the safety clip on the American M67 grenade. It is deep bronze green in colour with golden yellow stencilling, and a rough exterior comparable to light sandpaper. The grenade has a range of 190m and is used to 'incapacitate and stun the enemy'; being used mainly in fighting in built-up areas, trench clearing and wood clearing. It is effective against unprotected personnel up to 10 m (33 ft) away, and protected personnel up to 5 m (16 ft). It comprises a pre-segmented shell filled with 155g of high explosive. Once the pin is pulled, the grenade is live and has a fuse delay of 3–4 seconds; however this is not activated as long as the fly-off lever is depressed while the grenade is held (so the grenade can be held indefinitely with the pin out, and returned to storage if the pin is replaced).
L110[]
The L110 (Drill Grenade) is an inert (no explosive content) version of the L109. It is identical in size, weight and shape, as the live grenade and is used for practise throwing purposes. It can be easily distinguished from the live grenade as it is blue rather than green.
Nr300[]
The Nr300 is the Dutch designation for the HG 85. It is exactly like the L109.
Notes[]
There is an other HG 85 from Arges in Austria, which is designed for other specifications and has a plastic body.
External links[]
The original article can be found at HG 85 and the edit history here.