Anyone know what this practice bomb is?

[Gil Boyd]

Steve,
There are several at the IWM Duxford which opens back up today. If I can get a photo for you, they are identical mate if it helps so worth $60 of my money if that sort of thing is what you want.
Flour came in during practice runs later, used by airforces both sides of the pond in WW1.
The IWM ones I refer too, the picture isn't on the page. This is another version on the same theme. They came in every shape and size:

RARE Circa 1918 WW1 U s Army Practice Bomb Wood Solid Training Dummy Bomb | eBay | Ww1, Ww1 posters, Ebay

[mrclark303]

Looks like a fairground prop to me, it's got a distinctly 1930's Art Deco look to it.....

Nice piece though, Its just begging to be added to a man cave!

Edit, just seen Gil's post, I stand corrected....

[Aragorn243]

OK, I will see if I can get it today. Thanks.

[Aragorn243]

I got it for $54. On bringing it home and looking at it in natural light, it might be weighted. It looks like a very nicely done plug on the top, maybe 1/2 inch in diameter. Looks like a 5 was also painted there at one time but is mostly worn off. The body cleaned up nice, the fins have significant rust as you can see from the photo. I knocked the loose stuff off but I don't plan to refinish it. Just want to stop what's there now.

[browningautorifle]

Close up pics later...when you can?

[Gil Boyd]

Well done mate. The five looks painted in a WW1 style, before stencils came about, be nice if there was some other markings on it. I doubt it as they often broke up dependant on how high they were dropped.
Did the seller give any provenance?

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I would have gambled as well. As stated it has a well constructed and vintage look. IMO spiffed up a bit. $54 man cave cool even if it is a prop. Good work.

[Aragorn243]

The seller was a back alcove in an antique combine. Never met the man. He didn't have any notation on it as to what it is which he often does with other things. I first saw this about 2 months ago but I bought a shell casing then a few weeks later the big mortar round I shared. Always liked the look of this but he never had a price on it. I did ask once and they made a phone call and said $60 which seemed high for the mood I was in that day. But it was there every time I went and I really like it. And then here I am two or three weeks without a purchase and it's still there.

On the way home with it, I stopped in another antique mall and found a Danish 1915 Krag bayonet without a price. Always seems to happen with me. They couldn't reach the owner so I went home. He called an hour later and offered it for $125 and I countered with $100 cash and he accepted. Been watching these sell on ebay for about a year in the $225-$250 range. I have that all cleaned up now also. Someone did a bubba partial cleaning on it that looked awful but it cleaned up well. This guy assured me it was German WWI. I didn't argue. He even went into great detail about looking up the manufacturer on the internet. I again didn't say anything, I've done the searches, It's Danish.

Other than the partial/possible 5 on the top, I can't make anything out. My mind is trying to tell me there are faint stamps on the top but I really don't think they are anything. It feels like something is moving when I shake it but I think one of the fins is a little loose.

I'll get some photos up probably tomorrow

[Aragorn243]

Better photos:







This last photo seems to show a partial 5 on the top but it's mostly gone. It is also harder to make it out in the photo than it is in person as is the plug. The 5 is nearly upside down. The plug is dead center. The plug may also simply be the ring from the lathe attachment, it's really hard to tell.

[rcathey]

Even as a piece of folk art that would be worth $54. Too cool!