Greetings all,

 

I host a small militaria show every month and today this little gem popped up.  It's a live TA M83 smoke grenade still sealed in the canister.  I've never seen one before, so I just had to have it.  What would the value on this one be?  Would it hurt the value much if I were to take it out of the canister for display?  I've had numerous M18 smoke grenades, so this one really peaked my interest being a different type.  Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

JQMD

Your grenade will look physically the same as an M-18 colored smoke grenade.

 

The following is from FM 3-23.30   Grenades and Pyrotechnic Signals

 

M83 TA White Smoke Hand Grenade. The M83 TA white smoke hand grenade

(Figure 1-9) is used for screening the activities of small units and for

ground-to-air signaling. The components are:

          • Body: a cylinder of thin sheet metal, 2.5 inches in diameter and 5.7 inches long.

          • Filler: 11 ounces of terephthalic acid (TA).

          • Fuse: M201A1.

          • Weight: 16 ounces.

 

(1) Capabilities. The M83 TA produces a cloud of white smoke for 25 to 70 seconds.

(2) Colors and Markings. The grenade has a forest green body with light green markings, a light blue band, and a white top.

 

Prior to the TA smoke grenade, the AN-M8 HC (hydrochloric smoke mixture) smoke grenade was used for screening.  The AN-M8 produces harmful hydrochloric fumes that irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs. Because of this, the Military found a less toxic smoke mixture so Troops using it for screening that had to move through or with the cloud weren't as affected by it.

 

As for value, comparable to any other smoke grenade. There is nothing special about it and they will just become more common as time goes on and more wander away from home. It is worth exactly what you paid for it.

Monitor GB for smoke prices. $100-150.00 realized. 

Oh man these replaced for training the AN/M8HC's

 

trust me sucking in some of the HC smoke and you would be yakking. Once during a night trench attack at Drum they threw so many HC  I came to a intersection and didnt know which way the previous section went until I heard SPC D. Page yakking his guts up. Better than a chemlight to guide on.

 

These were much safer

On 6/25/2023 at 12:12 AM, RWW said:

Your grenade will look physically the same as an M-18 colored smoke grenade.

 

The following is from FM 3-23.30   Grenades and Pyrotechnic Signals

 

M83 TA White Smoke Hand Grenade. The M83 TA white smoke hand grenade

(Figure 1-9) is used for screening the activities of small units and for

ground-to-air signaling. The components are:

          • Body: a cylinder of thin sheet metal, 2.5 inches in diameter and 5.7 inches long.

          • Filler: 11 ounces of terephthalic acid (TA).

          • Fuse: M201A1.

          • Weight: 16 ounces.

 

(1) Capabilities. The M83 TA produces a cloud of white smoke for 25 to 70 seconds.

(2) Colors and Markings. The grenade has a forest green body with light green markings, a light blue band, and a white top.

 

Prior to the TA smoke grenade, the AN-M8 HC (hydrochloric smoke mixture) smoke grenade was used for screening.  The AN-M8 produces harmful hydrochloric fumes that irritate the eyes, throat, and lungs. Because of this, the Military found a less toxic smoke mixture so Troops using it for screening that had to move through or with the cloud weren't as affected by it.

 

As for value, comparable to any other smoke grenade. There is nothing special about it and they will just become more common as time goes on and more wander away from home. It is worth exactly what you paid for it.

 

Thanks for the info, but I have to disagree on one thing.  It's worth way more than I paid for it because it cost me exactly nothing!  Thanks again.

12 hours ago, 917601 said:

Monitor GB for smoke prices. $100-150.00 realized. 

Thanks.  That's pretty much what I figured.