Description
You are bidding on a SUPERB example of a WW1 British Royal Navy Whitehead Torpedo Gyroscope! This was used in various Submarines, Battleships, Battle Cruisers, and Destroyers!
The Whitehead torpedo was the first self-propelled or “locomotive” torpedo ever developed. It was perfected in 1866 by Robert Whitehead from a rough design conceived by Giovanni Luppis of the Austro-Hungarian Navy in Fiume. It was driven by a three-cylinder compressed-air engine invented, designed, and made by Peter Brotherhood. Many naval services procured the Whitehead torpedo during the 1870s, including the US Navy. This early torpedo proved itself in combat during the Russo-Turkish War when, on 16 January 1878, the Ottoman ship Intibah was sunk by Russian torpedo boats carrying Whiteheads.
The carrying case also acted as a portable test bed and winding station.
Made of wood, brass, and steel, this gyroscope EXCELLENT unused condition! Though there is a lot of patina overall, it still retains 95% of it’s original finish! Some marks, wear, and a small dent, but it appears to be 100% complete! It is stamped with the serial number “1327” (matches that as on the box), along with:
W&CO (Whitehead & Co, Fiume)
838 RGF (Royal Gun Factory)
It comes mounted inside the original transit box, however the box is damaged (some wood missing, and hinges no longer attached), but it does not detract. All instructions and inspection papers are affixed to the inside lid. Though faded over time, and a bit hard to read, the instructions are dated 1902 and updated 1916. Signed by James Bramwell, Brigadier Commander, RN Torpedo Depot, 1917. Box is approx. 7″x 9″x 10″ in size. over 100 years old, it is VERY RARE and would be a FANTASTIC addition to any Collection or display!
