Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. M38A2 100 lb. Practice Aerial Bomb dating from the final months of WWII. It retains much of its blue finish along with the original white stenciled identification, including the clearly visible designation:

PRACTICE
BOMB
100 LB M38A2

A second stencil lower on the body is more worn and appears to read:

LOT FS-1-[38]
MAY 45

The suffix of the lot number was somewhat imperfectly applied and is difficult to read with certainty, while the MAY 45 date is considerably clearer.

The bomb remains in very good overall condition for its age. Much of the blue finish survives, and the principal identification stencil remains well preserved and readily legible. Scattered scratches, small areas of finish loss, and minor oxidation are present where the underlying steel has been exposed, consistent with age, storage, and handling. The nose shows somewhat more surface wear, while the tail and box-type fin assembly remain substantially intact. There is no major crushing or severe deformation evident.

The M38A2 was a full-size aerial practice bomb intended to reproduce the handling and ballistic characteristics of a General Purpose bomb without requiring a service high-explosive filling. Its relatively light sheet-metal body consists of a cylindrical center section, rounded nose, conical tail, and characteristic box-type fin assembly.

For training use, the hollow body could be filled with sand to bring the bomb to its intended practice weight. A spotting charge could also be fitted in a receiver at the rear of the bomb within the fin assembly, allowing the point of impact to be readily observed during bombing exercises. M1A1, M3, and M5 spotting charges were authorized for use with the M38A2. The empty bomb weighed approximately 14 to 16 pounds, while a bomb prepared for training with sand and a spotting charge weighed approximately 100 pounds.

This inert ordnance item has been fully deactivated in accordance with ATF guidelines. It cannot be converted into a functional explosive device and is strictly restricted from international export.

Totally inert, cannot be converted to an explosive device, not available for export. This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America.

All deactivated ordnance sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).