Identification - can anyone positively identify these 1933 dated pieces?

[larrylamb11]

As thread title really - can anyone put a name to these? These are 16 1/2" long and 3" in diameter, weighing 7lb 4oz inert. They are dated 1933, although they carry no marks or stampings externally.
I know there is some sort of story to them, hence why they have been chrome plated (a long tim ago!) but I have yet to establish exactly what the story is. The pilot they came from is still alive so I am hoping I may get some information from this source, but if anyone can shed any further light on them in the meantime I would be most interested.

 

[MrArmsRacer]

Larry,

They seem to be British, I found this http://www.bocn.co.uk/vbforum/threads/3774-British-practice-bombs. They seem like they match up for the most part. Maybe one of those guys can help you out in a full positive ID.

 

[Dronic69]

Hi Larry,

Yes they are British aerial practice bombs - probably 8.5 lbs ones - if you strip back some of the corrosion/rust around the hanging loop near the base of the bomb head, you should find the weight stamp and date (8.5 and 11.5 lbs ones are common)

They were originally painted white and would suggest "chromed plated" ones would have been done for souvenirs (Trench Art).

They are fairly common, (can't seem to give them away these days!!!) but ones with high % of original paint (ie excellent condition) and safety tags are quite collectible.

I have seen many of them in quite poor condition - although yours should clean up quite nicely with a little TLC!

Cheers
Drew

 

[larrylamb11]

Wow, that was quick! They certainly do look like the practice bombs in that link, thank you very much for an incredibly speedy identification. I will see if I can find out what the story is behind them, but in the meantime will have another look for any stampings around the hanging loop. Good work chaps!

 

[Millsman]

If they were chrome plated they were probablyintended as mantleiece ornaments. I've got one of these that has been converted to a table lamp (quite well). They were first used from 1915.

John