Item:
ON10025

Original German WWII SD-1 Inert Sub-munition for Cluster Bomb AB 500-1 - Maker and Waffen Marked

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. The SD1 Splitterbombe (Fragmentation Bomb)
is an Anti-personnel (fragmentation) that was used primarily in two roles that were determined by the type of fuze and accessories fitted to the bomb. The first was as a fragmentation bomb with instantaneous fuze and when the bombs exploded above ground the case created large fragments which would kill enemy personnel and destroy unarmored vehicles. The second role was as a general-purpose or armor-piercing role. In this role, the bombs were fitted with a time delay fuze which detonated the bomb after it had pierced a target destroying it with a combination of its blast and fragments.

The cluster bomb was introduced in 1942 as an anti-personal air dropped bomb designed to be airdropped in containers. There were 392 SD1 cluster bombs are contained in the AB500-1 container, 224 in the AB250-2 and 50 in the AB70-D1 container. When carried in containers, the nose of the fuse nestled in a cavity in the base of the bomb in front, so protecting the fuse. No safety device was fitted to the fuse once loaded. The reinforcing ring on the fins was made longer in 1943. 

This very example features a cast iron body with a sheet metal tail, which is held in place with a pressed sheet steel ring. It has a good amount of the original yellow paint, though there is definitely pitting and corrosion on the exterior. It is also fitted with the mechanical impact fuze, which still retains the original fuze cap, which would be removed when the cluster bombs were loaded. 

The alloy AZ73 nose fuze is faintly marked in the casting [A]Z (73) A3 . Due to corrosion the marking is not entirely clear. It is also marked on the side of the fuze with the Luftwaffe Waffen proof and maker code jjm, however we have not been able to identify this maker. The fuze can be removed to inspect the sub-munition interior.

This example is a totally inert according to guidelines provided by the ATF.

  • This product is not available for international shipping.
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