Early 19th Century Iron Ball Hand Grenades Mounted as Decorative Bookends

Authentic Military Relics from the Age of Grenadiers A rare and compelling pair of early 19th-century cast iron ball hand grenades, now mounted as exceptional bookends on handcrafted cherry wood bases. These spherical grenades date from the era of the Napoleonic Wars, a period when such weapons were deployed by elite infantry units known as grenadiers. Each grenade would originally have been filled with powder and fitted with a fuse through the central aperture before being thrown in combat. These grenades represent a transitional period in military history, bridging earlier explosive devices and more advanced ordnance of the later 19th century. Their association with grenadier regiments—elite soldiers selected for strength and stature—adds further historical depth. Surviving examples are increasingly scarce, particularly in matched pairs of this size and form. Now presented as bookends, these artifacts combine authentic military history with refined interior design. Offered as a matched pair. Object Details • Type: Ball hand grenades (inert) • Material: Cast iron • Date: Early 19th century (circa 1800–1820) • Weight: Approx. 637g each • Diameter: Approx. 8 cm • Mounting: Later custom wooden display bases