INERT - Partly Activated - WW2 German 1Kg B1E Incendiary Bomb - Dropped on Portwrinkle in Cornwall 1941

Here on offer is an inert and party activated, WW2 German 1Kg B1E incendiary bomb.

It is one of a pair, (see item 51576) I recently acquired from a local Cornishman, who claimed they were dropped on Portwrinkle, a harbour village in Cornwall, during the massive German bombing raids on Plymouth, in early 1941.

Plymouth was the target of many bombing raids during World War II, including the Blitz, a sustained campaign of heavy air raids in March and April 1941.
The heaviest bombing of Plymouth occurred over seven nights in March and April 1941, when the city was hit by over 205,000 incendiary bombs and 6,000 general purpose bombs.

Plymouth was a prime target for the Luftwaffe because of its large naval dockyard, the presence of the Air Force, and the Army. The city was the second most heavily bombed in the country, after London

This type of WW2 German 1Kg B1E incendiary bomb was used by the Luftwaffe and known as the Brandbombe or fire bomb.

The bombs are cylindrical with the main body being made of magnesium alloy, filled with thermite, The top was fitted with a three-finned sheet metal tail assembly.

When the bomb hit its target, a needle in the igniter would strike a percussion cap, which would then ignite the thermite and ultimately the magnesium casing.

It would burn incredibly hot, up to about 2,500 degrees Centigrade and could melt steel or even rock. Therefore, once ignited, they were difficult to extinguish.

Now this example is in great, but activated original condition retaining its sheet metal three-finned drum-shrouded tail, still riveted in place and with its original green and silver paint.

It does have a “burn hole” in the side where the thermite has started to melt the magnesium casing, presumably before it was extinguished by the civil defence or ARP in Portwrinkle.

The fuse at the tip can still be unscrewed, but owning to the casing melting, in no longer screws in all the way, leaving just small gap as can be seen in the photos.

Stamped on the top of the fuse are numerous German ordinance marks and some small impact marks.

The marks include, Rhs over 143 means it was manufactured by the Rheinmetall Sommerda plant. The numbers 38 refer to the year of manufacture being 1938, the 7a is the batch number and AZ8312* is the fuze type. It also has the official inspectors stick eagle Waffenamt stamp, with what looks to be with the number 6.

These Waffenamt 6 stamps also appear twice on the main body casing, along numerous ordinance marks, such as RW over 151 which I believe is the maker, but I can’t identify who this was? Next to these marks are the years dates of 1937 and 1938. There are also the numbers 82 and 81, the large letters K-Bi and a large star shaped line mark.

This example is totally INERT and therefore safe to display, with all the contents having been removed many years ago.

It is just rare to find one in such good original condition, especially the steel fins.

It measures 13.8” (35.2cm) tall by 1.9” (5cm) diameter and weighs 680g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to International shipping regulations, this item can ONLY be shipped within the UK and proof of age over 18 years will be required.

Thank you for taking the time to look.

Code: 51574