British No. 74 ''Sticky Bomb'' Grenade

By Crusader1307

The inventive and effective No. 74 Grenade, was best known by it's nickname "The Sticky Bomb". Born out of the need for a cheap and effective battlefield explosive device, capable of inflicting damage to various types of Armor (Tanks), The No. 74 was very effective. The weapon was invented by British Army Major Millis Jeffries around 1938. These prototypes would serve until the finished and more stable Model was deployed in 1940.  A glass ball was filled with Nitroglycerin, mixed with a stabilizing agent. The most effective discovered was of all things, Birdlime. This substance is a viscous. clay material that was extremely adhesive. Spread in tree limbs, it use used to humanely trap birds. A fuse mechanism was placed into the 1-pound mass of explosives. A secondary fuse was installed into a 8-inch handel. Finally, a woolen "sock" glove was fitted around the Orb. When "struck" against a surface, the Orb would break and cause the Birdlime/Glycerin to adhere. A quick "pull" of the handle ignited the fuse mechanism. With 5-seconds, The No. 74 would detonate. For protecting the Orb, a metal fitted sheath was placed to enclosed the "Sock". Some 2.5 Million were produced between 1940-1943. The No.74 became a weapon for The British Home Guard Units during World War II  (with fears of a German Invasion). In addition, "The Sticky Bomb" was popular with numerous Special Operations Units (Commando and Demolition Teams), who used them in several clandestine operations. The No.74 was best suited against Tanks. A soldier could simply "slap" one on to an enemy Tank's tread. It was very effective at damaging and immobilizing such. The principles of "The Sticky Bomb" would lead to better devices and more effective materials such as Plastique (a more stabilized explosive).