Firebomb Fritz

[Martin22]

Evening all
I recently acquired this B1 , a very reasonable price I thought at £170. I’m guessing it dates to 1939 going by the letter K ?
It won’t unscrew even after soaking it in penetrating oil but I know it’s empty as there is a piece of metal inside that travels the length of the internal bore when I tip it . And it rattles about.
The piece of metal is like a fat washer if you like round and with a hole through the middle
From looking at diagrams of the internals I think it might be the booster
I can make it out with a torch through the holes near the base.
My main concern is the possibility of an explosive charge potentially being at the tail end of.
Yes it says it’s a bi not a biEZ and there’s no z stamped on it and it’s early ish.
Obviously I’m not holding anyone to their opinions but any thoughts on my concern would be gratefully received.
In fact any information about it would be great.
Thank you very much

 

[Ossington]

Have you weighed it? If it's under, then there's a good chance that the initiator has been removed.

 

[Martin22]

Thanks ossington

It weighs in at 799 gems ?

 

[Martin22]

Ignore above , it weighs 700 grams

 

[Fuzeman]

Hi Martin if it weighs between 690 to 720 grams it’s perfectly safe , if shaken does it rattle as often the split collar is left inside

 

[LEI-13-HG]

£170.00 is fairly steep for a standard B1E.
The body shows no markings indicating it has explosive component and most of these incendiaries were emptied at the time to be kept as souvenirs.
That said, the Germans did not always stick to the markings - examples have been seen with the 'Z' marking but a standard stopper under the tail and no explosive cannister and vice-versa, no markings but an explosive cannister.

 

[Martin22]

Hi Martin if it weighs between 690 to 720 grams it’s perfectly safe , if shaken does it rattle as often the split collar is left inside

Evening fuzeman
Thank you for your help
Yes it does rattle , I thought it might be the booster.
I’m now assured that it’s safe , thank you
Martin

 

[Fuzeman]

Evening fuzeman
Thank you for your help
Yes it does rattle , I thought it might be the booster.
I’m now assured that it’s safe , thank you
Martin

 

[Fuzeman]

Hi Martin
ok it’s perfectly safe even if the percussion cap was present it would cause any problem , I own over 100 of the B1
£170 is a good price as I’ve paid more than that at auction
I have a dedicated web site page on Www.Bombfuze.net on them

Steve

 

[Martin22]

Hi Martin
ok it’s perfectly safe even if the percussion cap was present it would cause any problem , I own over 100 of the B1
£170 is a good price as I’ve paid more than that at auction
I have a dedicated web site page on Www.Bombfuze.net on them

Steve

Morning Steve,
To be honest I thought it was a fair price , I’ve seen posts several times years old and people have paid £200+ a few years back so I’m happy , I don’t think I will loose on it anyway given the nice condition. And thank you for the link , off for a look now .thanks

 

[Fuzeman]

Hi Martin
they are a good investment. Prices do vary , this year I’ve bought 19 prices ranged from £90 to £190 although I have a few more expensive ones.

 

[Martin22]

Hi Martin
they are a good investment. Prices do vary , this year I’ve bought 19 prices ranged from £90 to £190 although I have a few more expensive ones.

That’s a amazing collection Steve,
I guess my area is more a mixture of ww2 general Militaria,
I only have the one B1 and this is how I display it

 

[Fuzeman]

That’s a amazing collection Steve,
I guess my area is more a mixture of ww2 general Militaria,
I only have the one B1 and this is how I display it

That’s an excellent way to display it , I started the collecting bug with Swords then sold them and collected bayonets , sold them and collected hand grenades , sold them I bought my first Amateur Radio transceiver , which I,m still licenced and then back into bomb fuzes and incendiary .