Description:

'ORSINI BOMB' EARLY GRENADE (DEACTIVATED)
An excessively rare 'Orsini bomb', the ca. 1860s prototype of today's hand grenade, used in Europe and also imported and used by Confederate forces during the American Civil War. This superior example measures 3.5 in. long and is just slightly pear-shaped. Nine protuberances, identical to percussion cap holders, project from the brass or bronze body, which also has a screw-type fitting at the bottom where the bomb would be filled with explosive. In excellent condition. The 'Orsini bomb', which would be considered today a 'terrorist IED', was an early form of hand grenade. It bears the name of its inventor, Felice Orsini (1819-1858), an Italian revolutionary and leader of the Carbonari who used it in an assassination attempt on the French Emperor Napoleon III. This particular style of grenade casing was made by English gun maker Joseph Taylor in Birmingham and tested in Sheffield and Devon. The primary explosive used was mercury fulminate. Protuberances on the surface of the grenade were mounted with crushable percussion caps, as used on small arms of the time. When the bomb struck a solid surface, the caps would spark, in turn igniting the explosive within, with impressive results. One of the rarest pieces of ordnance obtainable!

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*SEE ADITTIONAL SHIPPING ABOVE* -Shipments are sent via FedEx and DHL (for most overseas shipments) or FedEx Ground at the auctioneer's option. Due to complications from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we will ship with USPS Priority Mail only if the buyer submits their request to us in writing and accepts responsibility for delayed shipments. Signature is always required, unless other arrangements are made. Handling and shipping charges will be added to the invoice in one entry. Buyers should be aware that large, framed, fragile or odd shaped items can incur substantial shipping and packing charges. International shipments are invoiced by DIMENSIONAL weight, not the item weight. Please contact us for an estimate before bidding NOTE: Large, heavy or bulky items may not be shipped by the auctioneer - arrangements for shipping of these items via a third-party shipper may be arranged through the auction house. Customers who supply their own courier account number will still be charged a handling fee. Please allow 2-3 weeks for shipments after receipt of payment due to the high volume of packages being shipped.

August 15, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000