Another unlikely ordnance purchase from eBay!

This is an example of an SD-1 bomblet, one of several submunitions employed by the Luftwaffe during World War II, in bombs such as the AB 500-1 (diagram pictured below, in this case depicting a payload of SD-10 bombs).

There were two versions of these bombs, both converted from 50mm mortars. Some were converted from German 5cm mortars, others from captured French examples. In both cases, the tail fins were removed and replaced with a more aerodynamic circular design. I believe this example is of French origin.

They were given a new fuse, typically the AZ 73 A, as seen on this example, to facilitate detonation when dropped from an aircraft. They were chiefly designed as anti-personnel munitions, and were used for convoy disruption as well as the bombing of civilian targets. Typically, they were painted yellow. Some of the paint is still visible on this example, but it is a little rough around the edges! It is interesting to note the internal segmentation, meant to assist the breakup of the casing and the dispersal of shrapnel, increasing the bomb’s anti-personnel effectiveness.

This was one of several submunitions employed by the luftwaffe in their cluster bombs. Also used were the infamous B1E 1kg incendiary bomb, as well as various others. Submunition configurations for the two types of SD-1 were as follows:

SD 10 FRZ - 28 Pieces. The center compartment held thirteen bombs in the front and fifteen in the rear. The bombs were packed loosely and were not secured by metal bands.

SD 10 A - 37 Pieces. The center compartment was divided into two halves by a plywood sheet. Eighteen bombs were accommodated in the forward half and nineteen bombs in the rear half. Each cluster was secured by steel bands.

Regards, B.B.