Ubungs-Eihandgranate 39

[peregrinvs]

In the early stages of restoring this dug Ubungs-Eihandgranate 39. When I got it, the top plate / fuze socket was frozen to the body with rust. After a 3 week campaign of a soak in rust chelating solution, periodic heating with a blow torch, taps with a plastic hammer and a soak in penetrating oil it finally gave way and unscrewed last night. I didn’t take a before picture, but a previous owner had already cleaned off the exterior rust, so it doesn’t look any different. It’s very solid and I have hopes it’ll restore well after I’ve filled in a couple of small holes, tidied up the exterior pitting and painted it red. Then on to finding an inert BZE 39 fuze assembly.

 

[peregrinvs]

Progress. I have filled in most of the pitting on the body and slightly rusty but solid BZE39 fuze assembly has been sourced. (Now sitting in some rust chelating solution) I wasn’t sure if the threads in the fuze socket were still viable, but I was pleased to find they are.