Original German WWII 1940 Dated Combat Engineer M39 Explosive Detonator with Case & 2 Handles – Glühzündapparat 39 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Each Division in the German army, and the Waffen-SS, had a Pionier (Combat Engineer) battalion, which consisted of personnel specially trained in destroying enemy obstacles, creating forward defensive positions, bridging and assault tactics. As the spearhead troops, the Engineers were issued with assorted specialized equipment to help in this task. This included assault packs, pick axes, saws, long handle shovels, wire cutters, explosive tool kits, mines, and demolition charges. These of course required the appropriate explosive detonators, of which there were no fewer than four, slightly different, models, consisting of the M26, M37, M39 and M40. Of Note: As the spearhead troops, personnel serving with an Engineer unit, generally experienced higher casualties rates then standard units.

This is a very nice example of the M39 explosive detonator, officially termed the Glühzündapparat 39 (Glow Ignition Device 39), which was capable of producing 300 volts of electrical potential to detonate explosives. It still has thee original data plate on the side, which gives the model designation, serial number, and year of manufacture.

Glühzündapparat 39
ABFA Nr. 93167 1940

Under this are some instructions regarding shorting the device, and below this is the makers name of Schaffler & Co,. Wien. The top of the detonator has two terminals to attach wires to, and also has a central insert which we assume is some type of generator spool. It has two attachment points for a winding handle, which are labeled Aufziehen (Wind Up) and Zünden (ignite). Two of four screws that retain the top are still present, and the detonator will wind up, but we were not able to get it to fire. The detonator itself measures 8″H x 5 1/4″ x 3 5/8″.

Included with the detonator are TWO handles, as well as a spare central spool insert. These are all stored along with the detonator in the original leather case, which measures 8 1/2″ 8 1/2″ x 4 1/2″. The case is in good service used condition and it looks like it was field modified for a shoulder strap (now missing), with areas of the lid cut out. The stitching on the corners is a bit degraded, and the stitching for the lower portion of the lower leather “hinge” is completely pulled out, so the lid can be removed. This stitching might be possible to repair.

A very interesting and hard to find piece of German WWII Pionier militaria, ready to display!