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38 cm “Siegfried” shells

Dwight

Well-Known Member
I was wondering if anyone had any pictures of this type of shells? I have tried to find pictures of this type shell on the net, but I have not been very successful. I am also looking for pictures of the nose and base fuzes used in these type of shells.

All information is much appreciated!
 
Hi Dwight,
I have no photos of the shells, just some diagrams.
For all purpouses the Hbgr.Z.40 looks the same as Hbgr.Z.35 (IMG 4979)

Bob
 

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Many thanks for the information! Is the Hbgr.Z.40 considered to be rare? What is the difference between the Z.35 and the Z.40?
 
The HbgrZ40 has different safety band (10) to accommodate for the different arming forces and the needle housing (22) is held by a shear wire (33) which the HbgrZ 35 does not have.

As to the rarity...I do not have one :) Or the BdZ 40 for that matter. Considering the use only in 38 and 40 cm ammunition I would say there are not many left.

Maybe in Koblenz, Overloon or other museums. Maybe someone has photos?


Bob
 
In my old collection I had a number of head and bottom fuses for these large grenades (Hbgr. Z. 35K, Dopp. Z.S. 45-125, etc.). You can see it on my HP www.harryszuenderecke.de under old collection. Could take a look. Harry
 
Hi Harry,
I know Your excelent site. That was some collection You had.
The "35" fuzes are much more common than the "40". I do not think I have ever seen a "40" here in the Czech Republic.
Bob
 
In a Norwegian handbook I found 2 more 38 cm shells. The lay-out of the Zt.Z. S/5 W is identical to the steel version of the Zt.Z S/30 with the difference that it is threaded W50 x 1/8" and that it runs max. 5 sec. The capital W on these fuzes means that they have Whitwort threading, which was often seen on German naval shells.
 

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Last edited:
Very interesting information and many thanks! Attached some German information and two pictures of the tool for the Zt.Z. S/5. The Zt.Z. S/5 was used for close combat ("Nahkampf").

ZZS5-2.jpgZZS5-1.jpg38cm-2.jpg38cm-1.jpg
 
Very interesting information and many thanks! Attached some German information and two pictures of the tool for the Zt.Z. S/5. The Zt.Z. S/5 was used for close combat ("Nahkampf").

Very nice to see, thank you for showing. These fuzes are rare, but the fuze setting device is even rarer.
 
My pleasure. You mention a "Norwegian handbook", would it be possible for you to post a photo of the front of it? The German information I have comes from "Marine Dienstvorschrift Nr. 198".

MDvNr198.jpg
 
Here are a page out from the "H.Dv.g.119/670 Schußtafel für die Siegfried Kanone (Eisenbahn)".
 

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Again many thanks for the fantastic information! The “Dienstvorschrift” I showed here does not belong to me and unfortunately I don’t know if it is available digitally somewhere else.
 
Here is page two. Column 27, “Bemerkungen (Comments), is interesting. For the 38 cm, Spgr, L/4,4 Bdz u. Kz (m.Hb) it is stated (handwritten):

“ZZS/60nA für Luftzielschiessen”

“ZtZ S/5 W für Nahkampf”

38cm-3.jpg
 
My pleasure. You mention a "Norwegian handbook", would it be possible for you to post a photo of the front of it? The German information I have comes from "Marine Dienstvorschrift Nr. 198".
I don’t have the original document only a partial (bad) copy. The original was in color, the copy is in black and white and I only have 3 parts of it.
 

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Here is what I think can be a ballistic cap for a 38 cm “Siegfried” projectile. I am however not sure! I was hoping that pictures of such a projectile would turn up, but it seems that they are quite rare.

I just received the cap and according to the former owner it was used as a flower pot for the last 50 years! From what I can see, the cap is in pretty good condition. It seems to be made of some light weight material, probably aluminium. It weighs about 18 kilo, is 83 cm high and 36 cm wide at the base. It is painted black but there are several older paint layers underneath (black, red/dark red and yellow). It is a very impressive piece compared to a 40mm case!

All help in identifying this cap is very much appreciated!

d5.jpg4.jpg3.jpg2.jpg1.jpg
 
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