Its distinct lemon shape led it to being nicknamed the "lemon grenade" (compare the SovietF-1 grenade with similar nickname).
The grenade was developed as a result of studies on the Mk2 grenade. The M26 series was created after World War II to meet criticisms of the Mk 2. It was replaced by the M33 series grenade (M33/M67 at the end of the Vietnam War.
