in their branch insignia. The Finnish Army Corps of Engineers' emblem consists of a stick hand grenade (symbolizing demolition) and a shovel (symbolizing construction) in saltire. The branch insignia of the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps also uses this symbol, the grenade being symbolic of explosive ordnance in general. The United States Marine Corps uses the grenade as part of the insignia for one officer rank and one Staff NCO rank on their uniforms. Chief Warrant Officers designated as a Marine Gunner replace the rank insignia worn on the left collar with a "Bursting Bomb" and a larger "Bursting Bomb" insignia is worn 3/4" above the rank insignia on both shoulder epaulets when a coat is worn. Additionally, the rank insignia for Master Gunnery Sergeant has three chevrons pointing up, with four rockers on the bottom. In the middle of this is a bursting bomb or grenade. U.S. Navy Aviation Ordnanceman's rating badge features a winged device of similar design. Legislation In the United States grenades are classed as destructive devices, a form of Title II weapons under the National Firearms Act. They must consequently be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, are taxed, and are illegal in states that ban Title II weapons. While in principle it is possible to legally obtain and possess hand grenades in some states, in practice they are not generally available. See also Grenadier Rifle grenade Grenade launcher Rocket-propelled grenade Satchel charge Technology of the Song Dynasty References Citations Sources Needham, Joseph (1986). Science and Civilization in China: Volume 5, Part 7. Taipei: Caves Books, Ltd. External links "Getting Good with the Grenade...It Pays!" – November 1944 Popular Science article with complete history, cutaway, and illustrations Mecar – Belgian manufacturer of various grenade types Pakistan Ordnance Factories – licensed manufacturer of Arges grenades Film of exploding grenade "How Grenades Work" – from HowStuffWorks CenturioLight c/o Centurio Products Group – manufacturer of the electronic flashbang's "BAD" Exploded view of a modern Arges 73 hand grenade Accidental hand grenade blast injuries in the Transkei region of South Africa: A case report (WARNING: graphic content) Historical footage from a German hand grenade factory in World War I, filmportal.de Acs Grenade Site Category:8th-century establishments in the Byzantine Empire Category:8th-century introductions Category:Byzantine inventions Category:Incendiary weapons Category:Infantry weapons Category:Non-lethal weapons