INERT DEACTIATED. *RARE*, British, WW1, 1918 Dated, Royal Naval Air Service 20lb H.E Mark I Cooper Aerial . - O 2276 INERT DEACTIATED. *RARE*, British, WW1, 1918 Dated, Royal Naval Air Service 20lb H.E Mark I Cooper Aerial . - O 2276 Other Ammunition

INERT DEACTIATED. The British WW1 20 lb Cooper High Explosive (H.E) mark I aerial bomb designed for the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service by Thomas Cooper was a prolific inventor and engineer in England. He founded an engineering business in King's Lynn. In 1915 he invented and produced the first aerial bombs of their time. He recorded that the bombs were weighed 22lbs, 22 inches long overall, and the shell is 5 inches in diameter at the largest point. The Cooper bomb was one of the first aerial bombs made in Britain in WW1 and this is an excellent and complete example. The bomb has a cast steel body which has cast into it COOPER 20 LB 1. The body retains some its original lacquered finish and is stamped round its circumference COOPER .20LB C 12 M B.M 5.18 (May 1918 date). the body retains its original wooden tail with 4 pressed steel fins attached to it. the nose has a complete number 7 mark I fuze attached to the nose which is cover ed by a heavy cast iron screw off cover. The fuze has cast into to top No7 I CM over BM 1918 (1918 date). The cap has cast into the top CM over BM. The fuze has its original undamaged alloy arming vane at the top and caries a crowfoot inspection stamp. The price for this original and complete 20lb Cooper bomb includes UK delivery and no licence is required to possess this inert bomb in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. O 2276