Original Item: Only One Available. Much like the US Army 10 Cap Blasting Machine as used on D-Day, this machine was used in the same manner, just in the Pacific Theater by Navy Underwater Demolition Teams and the Marines on land. These were used to clear and destroy the many obstacles and fortifications found on the many battlefields of the Island Hopping Campaign. This particular example has a brass lower housing, with a lid that appears to be zinc or aluminum.

This example does not have an instructions plate on it like the Army version, but does have data plates on both sides which read as:

US NAVY BU. OF ORD.
FIRING KEY
MK. 27 MOD. 0
WT. 4.75 LBS.
SERIAL NO.
2070
FIDELITY ELECTRIC CO.
LANCASTER, PA.

THIS KEY MAY LOSE
CAPACITY TEMPORARILY; TO
RESTORE, TWIST THE HANDLE
VIGOROUSLY A FEW TIMES

The Blasting Machine comes complete with the original twist handle, still attached by a chain and complete, without damage. The leather carry handle is still present and in a solid, yet worn condition. The machine and sling are both marked with postwar white paint markings.

Offered in very good condition, with the expected wear of age.

Underwater Demolition Team
Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT), or frogmen, were amphibious units created by the United States Navy during World War II with specialized non-tactical missions. They were predecessors of the navy's current SEAL teams.

Their primary WWII function began with reconnaissance and underwater demolition of natural or man-made obstacles obstructing amphibious landings. Postwar they transitioned to scuba gear changing their capabilities. With that they came to be considered more elite and tactical during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. UDTs were pioneers in underwater demolition, closed-circuit diving, combat swimming, and midget submarine (dry and wet submersible) operations. They later were tasked with ensuring recovery of space capsules and astronauts after splash down in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo space flight programs. Commando training was added making them the forerunner to the United States Navy SEAL program that exists today.

In 1983, after additional SEAL training, the UDTs were re-designated as SEAL Teams or Swimmer Delivery Vehicle Teams (SDVTs). SDVTs have since been re-designated SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams.