SD2 arming wires - real or repro?

[SG500]

Having got into collecting SD2's a couple of years ago I've found one of the more difficult bits to find is a genuine arming wire so at the risk of boring you guys I'm going to talk write a few words about the things to look out for.
The photos shown are in all cases from top to bottom:
Top - genuine arming wire
Next to top - one that one of you guys on BOCN made
Next to bottom - one of the ones that can be bought from the "dugup" web site
Bottom - a mystery one that was sold as genuine

The most obvious thing to spot is the stamping on the genuine ones. I've not seen a repro that has Waff stamping on it - see photo.

Next is the wire itself - the genuine arming wires are made up of fairly inflexible wires that are twisted from a bundle of single strands. The 3 reproductions shown are multi strand which in turn are then twisted to make the large wire. The effect is that the original wires are much stiffer than the reproductions. My guess is that its far easier to purchase multi strand cable than the original type.

Next is now the wires are fixed to the end bits. The originals appear to be crimped in (perhaps someone can confirm this - Butterfly any chance you can post a photo of your sectioned arming wire?). The reproductions are either soldered in or glued in, traces of which can be seen on the wires.

The length of the wires on the reproductions appear to vary wildly. I was looking at some of the dugup ones that were for sale at one of the arms fairs and whilst they are well made the length of the wires do vary quite a bit. The genuine ones are usually very close in length.

And finally a comment about the last one (shown at the bottom of the photo), I've still not made up my mind about this. The ends look good although there isn't any stamping on them but the wire is flexible, multi strand and glued in. I wonder if someone came across a box of real ones that hadn't been completed........Mmmmmm........on reflection its probably a modern one that someone left in the garden for a few months to age it (not me!).

So if you buy an SD2 make sure the wire is correct, but DON'T try and bend a genuine one too far as its quite likely to snap.

Dave.

[waffenamt]

Hi Dave,i reckon our man Phil is the one to answer this good and proper for you.
As far that pic 4,i reckon the code looks ok,although im not sure about the waff adler.
btw,
great write up pal!

best

waff

[SG500]

4 real ones attached.
Dave.

[satan18]

Having got into collecting SD2's a couple of years ago I've found one of the more difficult bits to find is a genuine arming wire so at the risk of boring you guys I'm going to talk write a few words about the things to look out for.
The photos shown are in all cases from top to bottom:
Top - genuine arming wire
Next to top - one that one of you guys on BOCN made
Next to bottom - one of the ones that can be bought from the "dugup" web site
Bottom - a mystery one that was sold as genuine

The most obvious thing to spot is the stamping on the genuine ones. I've not seen a repro that has Waff stamping on it - see photo.

Next is the wire itself - the genuine arming wires are made up of fairly inflexible wires that are twisted from a bundle of single strands. The 3 reproductions shown are multi strand which in turn are then twisted to make the large wire. The effect is that the original wires are much stiffer than the reproductions. My guess is that its far easier to purchase multi strand cable than the original type.

Next is now the wires are fixed to the end bits. The originals appear to be crimped in (perhaps someone can confirm this - Butterfly any chance you can post a photo of your sectioned arming wire?). The reproductions are either soldered in or glued in, traces of which can be seen on the wires.

The length of the wires on the reproductions appear to vary wildly. I was looking at some of the dugup ones that were for sale at one of the arms fairs and whilst they are well made the length of the wires do vary quite a bit. The genuine ones are usually very close in length.

And finally a comment about the last one (shown at the bottom of the photo), I've still not made up my mind about this. The ends look good although there isn't any stamping on them but the wire is flexible, multi strand and glued in. I wonder if someone came across a box of real ones that hadn't been completed........Mmmmmm........on reflection its probably a modern one that someone left in the garden for a few months to age it (not me!).

So if you buy an SD2 make sure the wire is correct, but DON'T try and bend a genuine one too far as its quite likely to snap.

Dave.

Hi Dave
I can spot the difference in the photos as unless Dug ups have solved the problem that i had then it is quite clear.

Modern wireas both myself and dug up dont sell them as genuine articles then its always a job to get the stranded wire just right as modern wire is thinner in strands and more off them whilst the original wire is thicker and less strands.

I suppose over time a repro standing on its own will not be scrutinised
by the novice collector but not the end of the world so long as its declared a repro,as its sometimes better to have them than none at all.

Best phil

[Lou]

Hey Dave,one thing I also noticed? The repro ones seem to have some kind of plastic braided into the cable?? You can see what looks like little hairs coming from the cable..

[SG500]

Hey Dave,one thing I also noticed? The repro ones seem to have some kind of plastic braided into the cable?? You can see what looks like little hairs coming from the cable..

Lou, I think its the remains of the glue that was used to stick the ends on.
Dave.

[butterfly]

Great write up Dave and some lovely close up shots of the arming wires.

regards Kev

[jiipee76]

Great information about the arming wires.

Parts for this type bomb are easy to find from northern Finland.One specific Luftwaffe depot site have truckload of these parts.I gathered about 20 wing sections,about 10 arming wires and big box of shrapnel head parts(in relic condition).

I also found two complete shrapnel heads which still had detonators with them.

Here is one wire i have cleaned from rust with evaporust:

armingwire2.jpg

[SG500]

Great information about the arming wires.

Parts for this type bomb are easy to find from northern Finland.One specific Luftwaffe depot site have truckload of these parts.I gathered about 20 wing sections,about 10 arming wires and big box of shrapnel head parts(in relic condition).

I also found two complete shrapnel heads which still had detonators with them.

Here is one wire i have cleaned from rust with evaporust:

armingwire2.jpg

Very nice. You're really lucky finding so many.
Dave.

[butterfly]

Great information about the arming wires.

Parts for this type bomb are easy to find from northern Finland.One specific Luftwaffe depot site have truckload of these parts.I gathered about 20 wing sections,about 10 arming wires and big box of shrapnel head parts(in relic condition).

I also found two complete shrapnel heads which still had detonators with them.

Here is one wire i have cleaned from rust with evaporust:

As Dave has already said, very nice find !!!
Do you have any photos of the other parts you found? I'm particularily interested as to the colour of the SD2's you found (if any paint remained).

kind regards Kev