RARE CIVIL WAR HANES “EXCELSIOR” HAND GRENADE.

RARE CIVIL WAR HANES “EXCELSIOR” HAND GRENADE. One of two types of hand grenades developed during the early years of the Civil War. Unlike the more common Ketchum grenade, this type was developed by W.W. Hanes in early 1862. He names his patented invention the “Excelsior” grenade. This device is a small cast-iron shell with percussion nipples, each requiring attachment of a percussion cap before throwing the grenade. It would only take one cap to trigger the explosion, and soldiers trying to use Hanes’s grenade found out the hard way that it was too easy to accidentally set off one of the percussions caps. This resulted in the Excelsior grenades never being used in battle or, at least, there has not been a recorded battlefield find of one. These grenades are exceedingly rare. This example is a variant roughly cast in two sections with 10 brass nipples inserted and two fill holes. Its external cast iron case does not accompany this grenade. CONDITION: Very good. Exterior may have once been painted black but now retains a nice dark patina. All of the 10 nipples are in excellent condition. 4-30296 CW2 (3,000-4,500)

Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	422	$2,875.00	RARE CIVIL WAR HANES “EXCELSIOR” HAND GRENADE. One of two types of hand grenades developed during the early years of the Civil War. Unlike the more common Ketchum grenade, this type was developed by W.W. Hanes in early 1862. He names his patented invention the “Excelsior” grenade. This device is a small cast-iron shell with percussion nipples, each requiring attachment of a percussion cap before throwing the grenade. It would only take one cap to trigger the explosion, and soldiers trying to use Hanes’s grenade found out the hard way that it was too easy to accidentally set off one of the percussions caps. This resulted in the Excelsior grenades never being used in battle or, at least, there has not been a recorded battlefield find of one. These grenades are exceedingly rare. This example is a variant roughly cast in two sections with 10 brass nipples inserted and two fill holes. Its external cast iron case does not accompany this grenade. CONDITION: Very good. Exterior may have once been painted black but now retains a nice dark patina. All of the 10 nipples are in excellent condition. 4-30296 CW2 (3,000-4,500) Auction: Firearms - Spring 2007 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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