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Viven-Bessière ("VB") / Mod.1917 Rifle Grenades
The French Viven-Bessière "VB", Cup Launcher was introduced in 1916.
It's made of machined steel with a blued finish and was mounted over the muzzle of the MAS 36 or Lebel 86M93 service rifle, held secure by just the friction fit of the slotted base.
A small graduated accessory, the Model 1917 sighting device, based on the plumb line principle, is attached to the rifle's rear sight.

Volley fire techniques, using teams of 16, could fire 150 grenades per minute over a 200-meter front, with a maximum range of 180 meters.

VB performance so impressed the German Army they immediately created their own design, introducing it the following year. ('Karabingranate 1917')

A copy of this grenade design (with slight modifications to the launcher and grenade) was used by U.S. troops as well.

The VB continued to be used by both French and Americans into the early years of WWII.
"Viven-Bessières shell", had a 50mm diameter cast iron body which was internally segmented for improved fragmentation and an 8-second internal combustion fuze.
The total weight is 475 grams, including 60 grams of Cheddite explosive,

A small brass protective cap with a central hole covered the fuze to protect the striking pin from accidental impacts. The brass safety cap could be used in place or removed.

VB grenades are delivered pre-loaded and ready for use in crates of 18 to 100.

The grenade body has a central copper tube, which allows for the passage of the bullet, and a lateral tube housing the detonator and the 8-second delay fuse. The fuse primer is opposite a small striking pin protruding above the central channel. When the shot is fired, the bullet pushes the pin into the primer which starts the delay. Expanding cartridge gases propel the grenade forward.

It was a departure from the rod grenade designs in common use at the time. Using standard ball ammunition, accidents caused by the incorrect choice of propellant cartridge are avoided, a frequent problem with rod grenades.
Observations:

  • The larger German 60mm Mle.1917 launcher is lighter, weighing just over 3 lbs, while the smaller French 50mm VB is heavier by 3 ounces.

  • While basically duplicating the overall function, the Germans eliminated the external features of the VB grenade, making for a cleaner design.

  • This VB carry case is a hardshell leather design, unmarked. Examples are found with a black finish. Both the case and the Karabingranate 1917 launcher are not often encountered.

  • An easy way to tell the difference between French and U.S. made grenade bodies is the central tube. Copper for French, Steel for U.S..
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    Viven-Bessière ("VB") Message Grenade
    This device consists of a cast iron body filled with a smoke-producing composition (sulfur, saltpeter, realgar), packed around a central tube in which a small tin-plate case is housed to contain the message.
    The base assembly, pierced with vents, holds the primer and the striker.
    The striker is free to move except it's held in place by a safety wire that breaks when the shot is fired.

    Total weight is 490 grams, with a maximum range of 350 meters. The smoke emission duration is approximately 40 seconds.
    A special blank launching cartridge is stored in the message cavity.

    This was a short-lived communications experiment. (Re-painted example.)
    25.12.30
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