Description
You are bidding on a SUPERB and BOXED example of a WW2 German Kriegsmarine GA VIII (Geradelaufapparat VIII) Torpedo Gyroscope! This was SPECIFICALLY used in the G7a (TI) Torpedo that was heavily used in almost all U-Boats throughout the war!
The G7a(TI) was the standard issue Kriegsmarine torpedo introduced to service in 1934. It was a steam-powered design, using a wet heater engine burning decaline, with a range of 7,500 metres (24,600 ft) at 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph) speed. In 1936, the Kriegsmarine’s first electrical powered torpedo was introduced with the G7e(TII). It was replaced beginning in 1942 by the G7e(TIII). The G7a(TI) remained in service as the main torpedo of Kriegsmarine for the length of the war, being the only torpedo used from surface vessels, and alongside electric torpedoes on the U-Boats.
Made of brass and steel, this GA VIII Torpedo Gyroscope is in EXCELLENT unused condition! Though there is a lot of patina overall, it still retains 95% of it’s original finish! Some marks and wear from storage, but nothing that detracts. It is stamped with the serial number “45540” (matches that as on the box), and originates from an ex-Kriegsmarine base in Norway (Bergen) – where remaining stores of the WWII German G7a (TI) torpedo were still being serviced for use until 1999.
The gyroscope is constructed with a brass main body, with a copper and nickel main wheel / outer surround, and some smaller steel ancillary parts. The main gyroscope wheel, which would have spun up to 21000 rpm in operation upon launch, can still be spun perfectly smoothly on its bearings, such is the truly outstanding quality of the engineering on this piece!
The original reinforced wooden transit box is also included. This remains complete with the inventory card that notes the matching (main) serial number of this gyroscope “45540”, as well as the serial of the specific G7a KM torpedo with which this example was once paired “48130 “. The box retains the vast majority of the original red paint to the internal area with 95% of the ORIGINAL Kriegsmarine Grey Paint on the exterior!
The box notably also features an internal metal housing to hold the gyroscope, which is cradled within a specially designed suspension frame – a critical feature in order to ensure that any pre-set calibration / direction settings for the instrument would not be lost in the event of any rough handling prior to installation within the torpedo. It also acted as a portable test bed and winding station. The gyroscope still comes with the 4x original bolts to enable it to be fitted and removed from the frame/box when desired.Overall, the box dimensions are approx 12″ x 12″ x 16″ in size. An AMAZING and EXTREMELY RARE item, it would be a FANTASTIC addition to any collection or display!
The G7a(TI) was the standard issue Kriegsmarine torpedo introduced to service in 1934. It was a steam-powered design, using a wet heater engine burning decaline, with a range of 7,500 metres (24,600 ft) at 40 knots (74 km/h; 46 mph) speed. In 1936, the Kriegsmarine’s first electrical powered torpedo was introduced with the G7e(TII). It was replaced beginning in 1942 by the G7e(TIII). The G7a(TI) remained in service as the main torpedo of Kriegsmarine for the length of the war, being the only torpedo used from surface vessels, and alongside electric torpedoes on the U-Boats.
Made of brass and steel, this GA VIII Torpedo Gyroscope is in EXCELLENT unused condition! Though there is a lot of patina overall, it still retains 95% of it’s original finish! Some marks and wear from storage, but nothing that detracts. It is stamped with the serial number “45540” (matches that as on the box), and originates from an ex-Kriegsmarine base in Norway (Bergen) – where remaining stores of the WWII German G7a (TI) torpedo were still being serviced for use until 1999.
The gyroscope is constructed with a brass main body, with a copper and nickel main wheel / outer surround, and some smaller steel ancillary parts. The main gyroscope wheel, which would have spun up to 21000 rpm in operation upon launch, can still be spun perfectly smoothly on its bearings, such is the truly outstanding quality of the engineering on this piece!
The original reinforced wooden transit box is also included. This remains complete with the inventory card that notes the matching (main) serial number of this gyroscope “45540”, as well as the serial of the specific G7a KM torpedo with which this example was once paired “48130 “. The box retains the vast majority of the original red paint to the internal area with 95% of the ORIGINAL Kriegsmarine Grey Paint on the exterior!
The box notably also features an internal metal housing to hold the gyroscope, which is cradled within a specially designed suspension frame – a critical feature in order to ensure that any pre-set calibration / direction settings for the instrument would not be lost in the event of any rough handling prior to installation within the torpedo. It also acted as a portable test bed and winding station. The gyroscope still comes with the 4x original bolts to enable it to be fitted and removed from the frame/box when desired.
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