*British, WW1, Stokes Mortar Bomb Cutaway with Time Fuze, Inert*
An original First World War period Stokes mortar bomb, sectioned as a cutaway to display the internal construction and fuze mechanism. The steel bomb body retains its characteristic cylindrical form, with an exposed internal striker and spring assembly visible through the longitudinal cutaway. The tail unit is drilled and sectioned, showing the threaded fuze well and tail assembly in profile.
The exterior is finished in a period-style grey paint, with remnants of red cutaway highlighting and a green band consistent with instructional or range-identification markings. The nose retains a cutaway time fuze, showing the internal thread and striker interface. Overall length is approximately 44 cm, with a body diameter of 7.5 cm, consistent with standard Stokes mortar bomb dimensions.
This example has clearly been rendered inert and sectioned specifically for instructional, training, or demonstration purposes, most likely for armourer training or technical familiarisation.
Historical Note:
The Stokes mortar, designed by Sir Wilfred Stokes and introduced in 1915, revolutionised trench warfare during the First World War. Simple, reliable, and capable of a high rate of fire, it became the standard British light mortar and was widely adopted by Allied forces.
Cutaway examples such as this were produced for training and instructional use, allowing soldiers and armourers to understand fuze operation, striker mechanisms, and internal construction without the risks associated with live ammunition. These instructional artefacts were typically used in depots, training schools, and ordnance workshops, and far fewer survive today than standard fired or inert examples.
*Condition*
Good overall condition for an instructional cutaway. Surface oxidation, pitting, and paint wear are present throughout, consistent with age and handling. The cutaway edges show expected roughness from period sectioning. Internal components remain visible and intact within the cutaway sections. No evidence of explosive content; offered strictly as an inert historical display piece. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
JAQDOXABE_274105062025
