New unknown 1,000 pound casing with interesting fin assembly. *USA*

[DEADLINE222]

Found on an antiques site and purchased from a junkyard owner in Mississippi, U.S.A.

You can see where it his been punched through by a charge or whatever means EODs would use in this case.

I am wondering what the nomenclature is on this piece? It is very rusty, yet without comparing the two, it seems to show differences from my ANM-65A1.

It was made in August of 1944, but I cannot tell what modification it is, other than "BOMB 1000 LB ANM***. What really catches my eye is the construction of the box fin assembly. From what I can see, there are no welds of any type to be found. The sheet steel is doubled up in the joining lacations and held together with flat head screws and nuts, so I am thinking that the fin is an older type. Upon examiniation, you will see there are what I assume to be stamped reinforcing braces bolted on the rear of each fin.

As I already have a ANM-65A1 in my collection, I am hoping it is a ANM-65, or possibly an M-44. It has the single lug on the bottom, and I estimate it’s weight to be 575 +/- pounds. It could be less because I am not certain of the pallet’s weight it was shipped on, or if there is any inert material inside the casing other than a few drops of dirt and leaves I have removed.

Any information on the nomenclature of the casing or especially the box fin would be much appreciated.

[US-Subs]

A little more information would be helpful.

There are a couple of key areas for identification of US bombs. One is the construction of the base/baseplate of the bomb, under the cup of the tail assembly. Some bombs (i.e. incendiary, chemical, etc) have very different bases, and viewing this can be key to identification.

Another is that most US bombs had stamped identification markings. Normally these markings would along the top centerline, either between the lifting lugs or just above the baseplate. A good wire-brushing or even use of a file will sometimes help to bring out these markings

[outlook6]

Nice find. And definitely a unique box fin assembly. First time I've seen such as well.
Regards,
Jim

[DEADLINE222]

I reluctantly removed the fin with the plasma cutter because the rust holding the fin retaining nut looks impenetrable, and I could not fit the big pipe wrench inside the fin openings.

As I have many casings, I am well aware of the stamped areas rear of the top, rear suspension lug. On my first post, I was describing what I can read on the casing that is not consumed with heavy pitting.

I will take a picture soon, but I did this drawing based on what I see looking at the rear of the casing.

There looks to be some type of heavy valve stem, so tell me I have the last surviving chemical type bomb of it’s type left in the world, or a just a plain old AN-M65.

[US-Subs]

Your diagram looks about 95% similar to the chemical base, but also quite close to the incendiary base. A photo would be of assistance. If its the CW base you have most likely the M79, though there was a variant called the T2 which is difficult to find solid references on.

There are not many of the M79s left, most are buried in museums. The best I've been able to do is the 500lb version, the M78. Send a photo when you get a chance, and I'll try to dig out some pubs tonight.

[US-Subs]

Got your picture by PM, its definitely the M79 chemical bomb. A WWII bomb, the standard fill was Hydrogen Cyanide or Phosgene. Nice find.

[DEADLINE222]

Thank you.

For futrure reference, might I ask what the difference is between a chemical and incendiary casing?

[Fr Cdn AT]

Hey guys,

We found an interesting bomb 2 years ago, in the same circomstance... in a scrap yard that is!?! We could not beleive it and did not find out how it got there either... was an AN series, M79 1000lbs Chemical bomb. ID was quite easy as stamp was still visible on it. Although, the person who made those mark kinda miss his shot and double it on the zero's so we did not know if it was authentic. We asume that it was, what it is... as the difference with the M65 GP bomb got trunions on each side of it. This one has not. But it is definatly an AN series (Army-Navy) bomb.

Here some pict. We still have it at work.

Cheers.
FCAT.
IMG_0585.JPGIMG_0586.jpgIMG_0587.JPGIMG_0588.jpgIMG_0589.jpgIMG_0590.JPGIMG_0591.jpgIMG_0592.JPG

Got few more pict to come in a minute.

[Fr Cdn AT]

Here's some more pict from find above... and drawing/difference between model 79 and 65.

And I hope I was of any help.
Cheers,
FCAT.

IMG_0594.jpgIMG_0595.jpgIMG_0596.jpgIMG_0597.jpgU.S. BOMB, 1,000-LB, CHEMICAL, AN-M79.jpgU.S. BOMB, 1,000-LB, CHEMICAL, AN-M79-1.jpg1000 lb, demo HE, AN M44, M65, M65A1.jpg1000 lb, demo HE, AN M44, M65, M65A1-1.jpg1000 lb, demo HE, AN M44, M65, M65A1-2.jpg

[DEADLINE222]

I guess that means there are two M-79s left in the world.

Very nice.

I would still like to know what the differences are in the chemical and and incendiary casing?