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MMHX Armory, Po Box 519, Athol, MA (2026)

03/29/2026

I made a post a while ago, when I obtained the two M34 White Phosphorus gr***des.

I have since gotten one more, on the right in the first picture. This one came to me after being demilled, with a hole punched in it. As you can see in the pictures, it needed a bit of a clean up. Since it arrived with a hole in it, and the displays already include two M34s the natural choice was to take out the damaged pieces and make it a sectioned piece.

As part of the demilitarization process and rendering the M34 gr***des inert, the fuzes are removed from the gr***de bodies. Due to the violent reaction of white phosphorous when it is exposed to oxygen, the gr***des must be placed in a closed system at Crane Army Ammunition Activity. Without going into too many details, the folks over at CAAA are able to convert white phosphorous into phosphoric acid, which is then sold as fertilizer.

The first picture shows not only the cutaway beside the complete gr***de, but two different body types as well.

The remaining pictures show the condition it was received in, and how it looked after a little clean up.

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03/24/2026

A day America must remember

On this date in 2003, members of the 507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas, were ambushed near Nasiriyah, Iraq.

Despite mistakes made by their leaders and a severe lack of sleep due to extended operations, these soldiers did their duty and made us all proud.

In the ensuing action, SGT Donald Walters (KIA) and PFC Patrick Miller earned Silver Star Medals, and SGT Matthew Rose earned a Bronze Star Medal-Valor. There were also a number of Bronze Star Medals, Purple Hearts and POW medals awarded in person and posthumously.
Killed or died of wounds were: - SPC Jamaal Addison - 1SG Robert Dowdy - PVT Ruben Soto - PFC Howard Johnson - SPC James Kiehl - CW2 Johnny Mata - PFC Lori Piestewa - PVT Brandon Sloan - SGT Donald Walters

Taken prisoner: - SPC Edgar Hernandez - SPC Joseph Hudson - SPC Shoshana Johnson - PFC Jessica Lynch - PFC Patrick Miller - SGT James Ripley

Wounded in action: - SGT Curtis Campbell - CPL Francis Carista - SPC James Grubb - SSG Tarik Jackson - CPL Damien Luten

This photo was of the commander's HMMWV, and lists the status of unit members as it was known then. The hood is in the ADA museum at Fort Sill OK.

Shared with permission from CSM (Ret.) Jeff Mellinger

01/26/2026

I got some questions about the shooting star painted on the side of my helmet from the pictures I posted of the Battle of the Bulge event from last weekend.

I'm very fortunate in that the two chaplains of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment during World War II, Delbert Kuehl and Edwin Kozak, had much of their uniforms and equipment pretty well documented throughout the war, and many key items still exist in collections that the owners have graciously posted pictures of online.

Since I always try to base the uniforms I wear and equipment I carry off of things that those two gentlemen actually wore and carried, this makes my research a lot simpler.

When I knew this Battle of the Bulge event was coming up, I started researching to see if I could figure out what either of these two amazing paratrooper chaplains had painted on their helmets during that particular battle.

With some help from some folks on a GI reenactor help page (thanks guys!) I was able to find views all the way around of Chaplain Kozak's helmet, and so I painted mine based on how his was painted in the newsreel I watched from December of 1944.

What I found was that some members of the 504th had painted the shooting star symbol on the sides of their helmets sometime before the battle, and although I wasn't able to find many of them, I did find photos of a few. I also had photos of some of Chaplain Kuehl's items from the war, and he had painted that same symbol on one of his late-war bags.

Armed with this evidence I was able to paint my helmet for the event very much like Father Kozak's (center and two right-side photos), also with the chaplain cross on the front and the officer leader bar on the back.

It's not often in research that such specific and definitive information presents itself, so I count myself very lucky.

I like to add these details because they make great talking points so I can talk to folks about the amazing contributions of these brave and heroic chaplains who jumped into danger completely unarmed alongside their beloved paratroopers.

I'm always looking for more information on these two guys, so if you happen to have any photos or information on them I would love to know about it.

I also have more very, very unique items to share with you that I've recreated based on photos of the chaplains from the Second World War. Hopefully soon!

________________________________
Text and photos (other than the newsreel still) copyright ©2026
Historia Obscurum

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AI was not used in any way in the writing of this post.

Thank you for reading. 😊

01/08/2026

Almost 24 years ago, Donald was there with me every day, riding in my cargo pocket and poking his head out (minus the toy rifle of course) to make kids traumatized by the war smile and give them a little brightness.

So I figure he earned this medal, and today I finally pinned it on him.

We are only as good as the goodness we bring to others.

Salute, Donald. 🫡 Thanks for brightening my days, too.

12/14/2025

One of my friends recently got their hands on a truck that has been in hiding for forty years.

It is an 1985 M1009 K5 Chevy blazer.

The main purpose of posting the detailed pictures off what's left of the bumper numbers is that we are hoping to track down where this vehicle was assigned, for what it's role likely would have been. If you have a guess, shoot me a message.

It has less than two thousand original miles, and the sides aren't rotted off, like one would typically find on a forty year old truck.

You're probably familiar with the M988 HUMVEE, but prior to that, in the 1980s the government had the CUCV program. CUCV stood for Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle, and was a program where heavy duty commercial vehicles would be beefed up to military standards. In this case, the Chevy K5 Blazer was upgraded from the standard 1/2 ton civilian rating to a 3/4 ton rating. It features a 6.2 litre Detroit Diesel V8 and a three speed automatic transmission. Equipped for a 24 volt system, the vehicle was further modified with antenna mounts, weapons mounts, and anything else specific to its task. These were not built for speed, being governed to 55mph aided in preventing rollovers and ensuring safe driving.

A odd feature, the rear window MUST be lowered to open the and close the tailgate. Typically the first time you smashed the windows it was a life long lesson.

12/13/2025

Pictured today is a bit of an unusal one.

This is an Israeli practice gr***de, to train in the use of the Number 26 Hand Gr***de.

The number 26 is an Israeli clone of the American M26A2 hand gr***de. While containing no moving parts the practice gr***de is the same size and weight as the actual No 26 Gr***de. The fuze head, held on by a hex head bolt features a Safety Clip. The "Confidence Clip" on most American gr***des faces straight down, while the Israeli confidence clip is designed with the opening to the lower left.

I ended up with this thanks to another collector who included it with a box of goodies.

The first picture shows the gr***de in profile, while the second picture shows how the fuze body is attached to the gr***de body.

A cheap yet effective method for teaching users how to safely remove the pin and throw the gr***de.

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11/30/2025

One of the newest additions to the collection is a reference book, " The Gr***de Recognition Manual, Volume 1A1".

A worth while book that I would highly recommend for collectors, reenactors, and anyone who may come across such devices.

This book covers American hand gr***des and rifle gr***des from 1775 all the way up to 2016. The book is en excellent resource, covering not only the "common" gr***des, but also the rare, seldom seen gr***des such as the T32 gr***de, the Beano gr***de, and many others.

The author has done an amazing job describing each gr***de physically, and how they function. There are also pictures for help in identification. As you can see by the second picture, through a network of collectors the author was able to show the multiple generations of a gr***de as well.

Since Facebook dislikes external links, I will post a link to the authors website in the comments. Definitely reach out to him if you would like a copy of the book.

10/26/2025

This weekend we went on an adventure off to the North Country.

The initial purpose of our trip was to visit the Roger's Rangers Cemetery, in Granby, Vermont.

In October of 1759, during the French and Indian War a team of three Rangers were dispatched to track a moose that had been shot by the hunting party. The Rangers came upon the wounded moose being attacked by a pack of wolves, who turned upon the Rangers and gave chase, killing one and mortally wounding the other two.

In October 2020, the pavillon which includes picnic tables and solar lights was dedicated to pay tribute to the fallen Rangers. It was built and designed by an Eagle Scout Candidate from Ridgefield, CT Troop #76.

The address is Porrell Road, in Granby, Vermont. As with most of the more remote places we have landmarks in New England, you may not NEED a truck to get there, but don't expect to spend much time on paved roads.

10/19/2025

Thanks to a supporter ( and my inability to stop acquiring things), pictured today are three types of Simunition cartridges, produced by Simunition, a company that specializes in Force on Force training.

The Simunition system uses a proprietary conversion kit which allows the user to train with their service weapon. Since these systems are designed for force on force training, the bolt and barrel combination will not allow the user to chamber a live round.

Their systems are used by military forces, security groups and law enforcement agencies around the world for realistic training. Simunitions have a relatively short range, making them excellent for MOUT and CQB.

Pictured in the far left is a Simunition marking cartridge in nine millimeter. This fires a .4 gram marking plastic projectile and is designed for short range training Next to it is a spent Simunition. Not only is the projectile missing, but the rear of the casing protrudes.

In the center is a 5.56 millimeter non marking simunition. This fires a .12 gram plastic projectile, and is designed for an effective training range of 30 meters. Beside the live cartridge is a spent casing.

On the far right is 5.56 millimeter marking simunition. This fires a .23 gram projectile a maximum range of 64 meters. Beside the live cartridge is a spent casing.

Having been off in the woods, I didn't have a backdrop handy, so.....

Pictured as a backdrop is an OCP Wizard hat produced by Kruschiki Supply Company.

09/27/2025

This weekend me and some of the boys are off to the woods. This weekends shenanigans include testing various 3d printed objects. These were all created by the incredibly talented Germy_Ballswell on Instagram. I will put a link to his Instagram in the comments.

Check out his account, see some of his amazing work, and be sure to watch his videos to see the best Rocket Dog.

If you want the files, find his page on Cults.

He is NOT on Facebook, only visit or interact with the verified, checkmarked Instagram account

This weekend we will be testing speed, distance, and visibility with different glow filaments. All projectiles and fragments will be recovered before we leave.

I will try to rememberto get both pictures and videos, for those curious.

07/25/2025

I was recently given the chance to add not one, but two uncommon gr***des to the collection. And because I have poor impulse control, here we are.

Pictured on the left is an early factory inert M34 White Phosphorous Bursting Smoke Gr***de. This gr***de unfortunately has no markings. As a result, it will likely live in the rifle gr***de display, where I don't have to worry about the adapter damaging the markings.

Pictured in the center is ANOTHER inert M34. This one had a newer fuse installed while it was in Argentina, which is dated 1988. While this gr***de came to me with a "confidence clip" on the fuze, that was removed as the confidence clip did not begin being retrofit onto gr***des until 2009.

Picture on the right is a replica M34 which will be removed from the displays in favor of the actual gr***de.

The M34 gr***de weighs just under a pound and a half, contains fifteen ounces of Whote Phosphorous and has a bursting range of 35 meters. Caution must be exercised in its employment as the average throwing range is approximately 35 meters.

Additionally it can be fired from a NATO launcher using the M1A2 Gr***der Projection Adapter.

One of these will be displayed beside the M15 White Phosphorous gr***de.

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***desInTheDisplay

06/21/2025

In addition to all of the hand gr***des, I have been reworking some display boxes, and am now able to display a variety of American gr***de fuzes.

Pictured below are three gr***de fuzes:

An M228 Gr***de Fuze, a spent M228 Fuze, and an M213 Fuze. The M228 and M213 are both produced by Martin Electronics Incorporated. The fuzes are visually similar, with the difference being the color of the sealant used on the detonators, and the color of the safety levers. An M228 fuze is issued with a safety lever that is primarily blue, with a red/brown color on the end. The M213 Fuze is manufactured with an olive drab fuze for combat use.

The M228 has three safety features (the safety lever, the safety clip, commonly called a jungle clip, and the pull ring with confidence clip system). The M228 is field replaceable. Removal of a spent M228 Fuze and installation if a new one takes approximately a minute. Since a company sized element will likely expend several hundred fuzes in a training rotation, most soldiers are taught how to remove and replace the fuzes.

The spent M228 in the middle shows how the detonator cap is blown apart once the fuze has been used. In the M69 practice gr***de this creates an audible bang, and a white puff of smoke.

Additionally pictured is an M213 gr***de fuze. This fuze is used exclusively in the M67 fragmentation gr***de, and is not issued individually.

The second picture shows the top markings of the safety levers, as well as the primer and striker mechanism in a spent M228 fuzes.

The third picture shows the color difference of the two safety levers.

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MMHX Armory

03/29/2026

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