Putting this thread in the Barracks as it's more general Military History than WW2. When was the earliest use of hand-grenades? I thought it was late 17th century but have seen ECW re-enactors with clay "grenades" for use on seige warfare. Also have seen some War of the Roses era illustrations of men-at-arms with fire-pots. Were they used any earlier than that? I suppose someone will say the Chinese had them thousands of years ago.
I've thrown pottery 'Grenados', quite surprising bang from a fairly small amount of black-powder. Definitely around much earlier but I'd stick with the c17th. for when they really flowered as gunpowder based Military tech and tactics began to firm up around that point. Are you moving on from Longbows already? Fancy a caliver now do you?
I am sure the romans had clay kiln fired attempts. not good for ranged attacks but effective close up as they used glass or metal shards in the casing to make sure it took the target out.
