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+--- Thread: Byzantine Hand Grenades (/showthread.php?tid=21826)
Byzantine Hand Grenades - Gaius Julius Caesar - 10-05-2012
I was just wondering if there are any provenenced finds of
Byzantine hand grenades?
Byzantine Hand Grenades - Flavivs Aetivs - 10-05-2012
I've heard of it, butu I'm not sure. As far as I know they're only recorded in the sources, and even then I doubt they'd react without water to start the oxidation process.
Byzantine Hand Grenades - Eleatic Guest - 10-05-2012
And I am wondering why you've posted this interesting topic in this subsection. ;-)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenade#Incendiary_grenades (+ picture)
Byzantine Hand Grenades - Gaius Julius Caesar - 10-05-2012
Errr so am I!
Thanks for the link, I was able to find some listed in antique websites!
The wiki only seemed interested in modern!
Byzantine Hand Grenades - Eleatic Guest - 10-05-2012
Perhaps you could post some links. :-)
Byzantine Hand Grenades - Vindex - 10-05-2012
There's always the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch.... :twisted:
Byzantine Hand Grenades - Gaius Julius Caesar - 10-05-2012
Quote:There's always the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch.... :twisted:
Que, hombre? :dizzy:
Sorry Eleactic, I imagine it would be breaking forum rules to
Post sellers sites on here!
Byzantine Hand Grenades - Vindex - 10-05-2012
Quote:[quote="Vindex" post=322116]There's always the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch.... :twisted:
Que, hombre? :dizzy:
Monty Python and the Holy Grail
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOrgLj9lOwk
Byzantine Hand Grenades - Gaius Julius Caesar - 10-06-2012
Great stuff!
I have the opportunity to obtain one said 'Holy grenade, but not of Antioch'!
However, it is without it's holy pin...... :whistle:
While examination of this object makes me think it to be genuine,
a good forger could well fool most of us.
However, the website I found many for sale on shows them to be similar.... :? :? :?
Byzantine Hand Grenades - Gaius Julius Caesar - 10-06-2012
[attachment=5356]IMG_0938.JPG[/attachment]
[attachment=5357]IMG_0939.JPG[/attachment]
[attachment=5358]IMG_0942.JPG[/attachment]
Byzantine Hand Grenades - M. Demetrius - 10-06-2012
Smart to save one back, just in case you find one of those killer bunnies?
Seems like any small jar of oil with a lit rag wick could do this task. Wonder if anyone thought about it earlier than 10th C.
Cocktailus Molotovus?
Byzantine Hand Grenades - Gaius Julius Caesar - 10-06-2012
Having looked at these three, I a certain these were probably launched
Via a catapult of some sort! While they could as easily be hurled from
Walls such as Constantinoples, I think they are sturdy enough to work
As a projectile as well!
BTW, the one in the middle photo is about twice the size of
The other two!
Byzantine Hand Grenades - Gaius Julius Caesar - 10-07-2012
Well, any small jar with a very small opening to allow for the fuse and to prevent the contents being lost in flight.....
And which would be of very little use for anything else, apart from throwing or launching.
Byzantine Hand Grenades - Gaius Julius Caesar - 11-28-2012
http://www.google.fr/search?q=byzantine+grenades&hl=en&client=firefox-a&hs=71h&tbo=u&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=0wK2UK79LYeQtQbG4YDYAg&ved=0CEgQsAQ&biw=1280&bih=931
I was more successful this time in a search for images of these devices.
I am surprised at how many intact specimens there are, and am now thinking it is possible these ones are genuine.
Byzantine Hand Grenades - M. Demetrius - 11-29-2012
A lot like the more modern Molotov coctail, if filled with lamp oil, wick lit, and flung at a door or group of soldiers, or whatever. Might not explode like gasoline, but it would certainly be useful in starting random fires.
I don't know enough about Greek Fire to know if that would work in them, but presumably, these could be flung long distances with a sling, making them more of an irritant to incoming enemies. Nothing like having your armor on fire to break a formation....