{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-d-day-army-10-cap-blasting-machine-by-white-rodgers-electric-co-demolition-team-excellent","title":"Original U.S. WWII D-Day Army 10 Cap Blasting Machine by White-Rodgers Electric Co. - Demolition Team - Excellent","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is an excellent original U.S. WWII Army 10-Cap Blasting Machine manufactured by White-Rodgers Electric Co. of St. Louis, Missouri, retaining its original wooden twist handle, retaining chain, and complete leather carrying strap. The machine is identified on its instruction plate as Type 6901 No. 1, serial number \u003cb\u003e65049\u003c\/b\u003e, and represents the compact hand-operated blasting machine used by U.S. Army engineer and demolition personnel to electrically initiate blasting caps during demolition, obstacle-clearing, construction, and related military engineering work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe machine has a painted metal body with what appears to be a brass lower housing and a lighter-metal upper section or lid, possibly zinc or aluminum alloy. The exact metal composition of the upper portion has not been independently confirmed, so it is best described visually rather than assigned a definite alloy. The original finish remains very well preserved overall with the expected scattered wear and age marks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Data plate reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eU.S. ARMY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBLASTING MACHINE\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e10 CAP\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTHIS MACHINE MAY LOSE\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCAPACITY TEMPORARILY. TO\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eRESTORE, TWIST THE HANDLE\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eVIGOROUSLY A FEW TIMES\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMANUFACTURED BY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWHITE-RODGERS ELEC. CO.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eST. LOUIS. MO.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTYPE 6901 NO. 1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSERIAL NO. 65049\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMADE IN U.S.A.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 10 CAP designation refers to the rated capacity of the machine to fire a circuit of electric blasting caps. WWII U.S. demolition manuals document a hand-operated twist-type blasting machine of 10-cap capacity, while larger Army blasting machines were manufactured in 30-, 50-, and 100-cap push-down configurations. Later U.S. Army documentation specifically identifies the White-Rodgers Electric Co. Type 6901, Number 1 as a U.S. Army 10-cap blasting machine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Blasting Machine comes complete with the original twist handle, still attached by a chain though it was reattached to the twist handle. The handle itself is wood, and retains much of its paint. Attached is the original leather carry strap, which is complete and unbroken. Offered in excellent condition, with the expected wear of age. Comes ready for further research and display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGerman defenses along the Normandy coast had been strengthened considerably during the months preceding the invasion. Under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, extensive efforts were made to increase the density of mines, stakes, ramps, steel obstacles, and other anti-landing defenses intended to disrupt Allied landing craft and vehicles. When Allied troops landed on June 6, 1944, demolition teams were required to destroy or remove many of these obstacles rapidly while exposed to enemy fire. Naval historical records describe their assignment as involving the detonation of mines and clearing of obstacles at the waterline and across the beaches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall condition is excellent, with the original data plate remaining very clear and legible, the operating handle present, the retaining chain still attached, and the original leather shoulder strap complete and unbroken. The painted surfaces show the expected minor wear and age consistent with an original wartime piece, but there are no major condition problems noted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a particularly complete example of the U.S. Army White-Rodgers Type 6901 No. 1 10-Cap Blasting Machine, retaining the components most often lost or damaged after service, including the wooden operating handle, chain, and leather carrying strap. The clearly marked instruction plate and serial number 65049 make it an excellent representative example of the electrically operated demolition equipment used by American engineers during WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45555756761157,"sku":"ONJR26JYHG030","price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/4C5CFE4A-A59E-4A5A-AC15-A605B32A616A.jpg?v=1786735654","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-d-day-army-10-cap-blasting-machine-by-white-rodgers-electric-co-demolition-team-excellent","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}