Original U.S. Post-WWII “Howie” Toy Cannon Made from Surplus Mk. II Grenade Fuze in Original Box - Inert
In stock
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Original Item. Only One Available. This toy is a great example of the Yankee ingenuity that was prevalent during World War II and afterward, as the United States recovered by repurposing and re-tooling wartime technology into practical items for the next generation of Americans it was just beginning to create.
This is a great example of a Post-WWII era Howie Cannon, a tin toy cannon that looked like a howitzer and could fire wooden bullets. The “cannon” of the toy was the fuse/detonator from a hand grenade, with the rear support made from the grenade spoon. Tin balloon wheels were added to a simple axle that passed through the detonator where the firing pin would have normally been. A thin piece of copper wire was bent to furnish a crank mechanism that retracted the spring within the detonator, which in turn released the explosive pin inside the barrel when the handle was rotated.
The explosive pin strikes the “bullet” and shoots it across the room. Thousands were sold, helping Curran stay solvent and gave them the ability to hire some of the returning veterans as well.
This example is in great shape and comes in the original box measuring 6 x 3 x 2 ½”. There is damage to the box with missing pieces and water damage. Ready for display.
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