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Bit of a quandry... RPG rockets, cutaways and a fuze

Chaos

New Member
Firstly, let me say that I am not sure whether to post this here, in the cutaways section, or in the rockets section. Hopefully this is appropriate.
I recently came into possession of 4 very nice original RPG7 factory (Bulgarian) cutaway rockets. These are demo models that are inert, sectioned, and obviously made as sales samples for demo purposes. They came via various people, from the original munitions dealer through a militarty museum and then to me.
They consist of a PG7-VM, PG7-VR, TBG-7V and finally an OG-7V.
All are properly done, nicely sectioned with the fillers being wood and everything as it should be. Until I look at the OG-7V. When I first got it, I looked at the fuze and said to the guy "ummm..err....are you sure this is inert?"
He looked at me, at the fuze, and said "I am sure it must be!"
But he didn't look convinced. I don't think he knows either.
The whole thing is correct...sectioned tube, wood filler, all ok. Except for that fuze. It isn't sectioned, has a cap, has markings, and looks very much to me to be unmessed with. It is the correct O-4M fuze.

Now I am fully aware that the forum can't tell me what to do, or how to check too much. But i wanted to ask those who know these things what their initial impression is from the pics. Do I call an explosives unit connection of mine and give it to him to destroy and keep the rest of the rocket without fuze? No way will they check it and give it back if it is empty. So it's either get rid of it, or keep it. And of course I don't want to keep it if it is live.

Even considered asking a local dentist to xray it. Is that a viable option? What would you guys do? I think these are fairly safe to handle, but just don't drop it without the cap?
I am hoping it is solid or inert, but why does it have the correct markings on it, and that (copper?) disk in the front?

Ok...comments welcome. I'll post pics of the other 3 PG's in the cutaway section soon. They are well done, and beautiful. But I'll only be keeping one or 2, as they are not cheap.
Appreciate any comments or advice to this newcommer.
 

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Looking at the picture IMG2071 I am 99% shure the lower part of the fuze is a dummy. Normally these boosters are screwed in and not one piece with the lower part of the O-4M fuze.
Regards, DJH
 
Looking at the picture IMG2071 I am 99% shure the lower part of the fuze is a dummy. Normally these boosters are screwed in and not one piece with the lower part of the O-4M fuze.
Regards, DJH
I agree 100%. The 5th foto shows clearly, that this is a factory made dummy for exhibition / sales purposes. If it would have been a classroom dummy for schooling munitions personnel, it would not be that easy to recognise as a dummy.
Bellifortis.
 
Well thank you gents, that is certainly a relief, and means I can keep it together and complete.
Anyone have a pic of that area on a genuine O4-M fuze?
Would the top half of it unscrew then, or should I leave it alone? Need to be able to prove it's inert in case of inspection.
Yes, these 4 cutaways were for demo/sales purposes from Arsenal way back. Wonder why they didn't section the fuze along with the rest of the OG-7V.
 
Hi,
to answer your question: Because it's cheaper. Why invest the time of a specialist sectioning an original, if you don't need to show the innards. That's what I told you already in my last answer. It always depends on, for what purpose a sectioned item is made. Potential customers wanting to buy the product, are not interested in the innards of the fuze. While an armourer working with the product, may need to know also the setup of the fuze. A section is always much more expensive to produce. Time is money.
regards,
Bellifortis.
Well thank you gents, that is certainly a relief, and means I can keep it together and complete.
Anyone have a pic of that area on a genuine O4-M fuze?
Would the top half of it unscrew then, or should I leave it alone? Need to be able to prove it's inert in case of inspection.
Yes, these 4 cutaways were for demo/sales purposes from Arsenal way back. Wonder why they didn't section the fuze along with the rest of the OG-7V.
 
Thanks, and agree with you.
Would the upper half unscrew from the lower or are they semi permanently joined usually? I guess the top could be from a regular fuze and the bottom is solid? I assume only the bottom possesses the charge usually? Is there a percussion cap in the top half?
All the sectioned pics I could find online were tiny with no detail.
 
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