An Extremely Rare Inert WWII British Barrage Balloon Cable Cutting bullet

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This is an extremely rare WWII British Barrage Balloon Cable Cutting bullet for aircraft. During WWII both Allied and Axis forces used barrage balloons to prevent enemy aircraft from attacking various targets including towns, industrial sites and strategic positions etc. These balloons were suspended all long steel cables that were deadly if aircraft were unfortunate enough to become court up in. In an attempt to prevent this the allies experimented with various different types of wire cutting devises that could be fitted to aircraft. It was eventually found that a small cable cutting chisel fired by an explosive bolt was the answer. As the wing hit the cable the aircraft slewed around and the cable would slide along the leading edge of the wing and enter a small notch in the wing. This would detonate a cartridge that would fire a hardened chisel projectile and sever the cable in two. The pilot was then was able to recover the aircraft. It was invented by Sir James Martin an incredible British engineer of Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Limited who eventually designed the standard cable cutter for fitment to aircraft wings. He also when on to designed the ejector seat.

This particular example is dated 1942 with the British makers initials ICI - Imperial Chemical Industries. It is completely original and untouched.

To order Call 01547 529093 or 05603 416575 or email sales@deactivated-guns.co.uk.

Product Code: 1CUM4

OUT OF STOCK