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A VERY RARE WW1 ZEPPELIN INCENDIARY BOMB FROM THE WRECKAGE OF L31 (LZ72), COMMANDED KAPITÄNLEUTNANT HEINRICH MATHY, WHICH WAS BROUGHT DOWN OVER POTTERS BAR BY SECOND LIEUTENANT TEMPEST, ROYAL FLYING CORPS ON 2 OCTOBER 1916

A very rare burned out Incendiary bomb from the wreckage of the German Zeppelin L31 (LZ72), which was commanded by famed Zeppelin commander Kapitänleutnant Heinrich Mathy. L13 was brought down over Potters Bar by Second Lieutenant W. J. Tempest, Royal Flying Corps, the first Canadian to shoot down a Zeppelin from the air, on 2 October 1916.

This incendiary bomb, which measures 15 inches and weights 2KG, has a hole to its body where the explosives within have blasted out to ignite the bomb. Is complete with its screw in brass striker, which is coded ‘27’ to two parts. The force of the explosion has cracked the out brass in two; this pretty much lining up with the hole in the main section when unscrewed. The condition of the incendiary is pretty much as if it had been picked up yesterday and is solid and heavy. It appears like it the striker may have been coated in gun oil or similar to protect it (which has done a wonderful job) as there is a distinctive smell to it.

The incendiary has a R.C.M.I. (Royal Canadian Military Institute) accession code painted in white on a black background in two places. After R.C.M.I., is the date 1940, which would suggest they were probably displayed in the Royal Canadian Military Institute during the London Blitz of 1940. After the date is ‘1.2’ for 1 of 2 pieces. The other piece of wreckage, coded ‘1.1’, a part of L31’s frame, is listed by Jager Medals separately.

Various models of incendiary bombs were dropped Zeppelins, some a little smaller than others. A near identical example is held in the Imperial War Museum, London:

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30020756

Like this example, many of these incendiary’s hadn’t actually been dropped but went off as the Zeppelin burst into flames and crashed in the ground, forming part of the tangled wreckage and can be seen in contemporary photographs of the day. Though guarded from being souvenired by the public many small pieces were scavenged. The majority of the wreckage was melted down and resumed, many small pieces being sold off for the war effort or charitable causes and are frequently found for sale. However most larger items can be found in museums, local churches etc. As far as Zeppelins incendiaries are concerned, few have survived outside museums and very rarely do they appear on the open market.

http://www.hellfirecorner.co.uk/pottersbar/pottersbar.htm

Sold with a file of copied research, including numerous photographic images of the wreckage, one of which is annotated: ‘Despite the presence of the military [standing guard], many souvenir hunters managed to sneak off with fragments of the wreckage.

Note: This item is entirely inert

Code J3905        Price £2,585