WW2 German Luftwaffe 7,29 cm Raketen Sprenggranate – INERT HIGH EXPLOSIVE ROCKET ROUND – Ba249 “Bachem Natter”

Description

You are bidding on a VERY RARE example of a 100% INERT WW2 German Luftwaffe 72.9 mm Henschel Hs 297 Föhn High Explosive Rocket Round! This was specifically used by the Ba329 Bachem Natter Rocket Interceptor, and Föhn-Gerät Multiple Rocket Launcher!

The Henschel Hs 297 Föhn or 7.29 cm Raketen Sprenggranate was a small German surface-to-air rocket of the Second World War. The associated multiple rocket launcher was known as the 7.3 cm Föhn-Gerät.

It was spin-stabilized with a length of 28 cm (11 in) and a weight of 2.74 kg (6 lb 1 oz). The projectile was similar to the 7.3 cm Propagandawerfer 41 but instead of being filled with propaganda leaflets the Raketen Sprenggranate had an explosive warhead with dual fuzes. The first fuze was a nose-mounted percussion fuze that would explode on contact with a target while the secondary fuze was a time-delayed base fuze that was initiated during ignition of the rocket motor. When the fuze burnt out it would flash through an orifice in the base of the warhead which would detonate the main charge. The warhead for the rocket was ogival in shape and was threaded internally to receive the rocket motor. The explosive filling was a preformed charge of 280 g (10 oz) of RDX/TNT/wax pressed in a block and wrapped in wax paper.

The rocket motor consisted of a cylindrical body and a cup-shaped base plate. The body was screwed into the warhead at the forward end and into the base plate at the rear. The body contained a single stick of solid fuel propellant which was ignited by a percussion cap which fit in a pocket drilled in the center of the base plate. Exhaust gasses were forced through seven straight inner venturis and seven angled outer venturis which imparted spin.

In addition to its anti-aircraft and surface to surface roles the Raketen Sprenggranate also armed the Bachem Ba 349 Natter manned vertical take-off rocket interceptor. Twenty-four rockets were housed in the Ba 349’s nose-cone. The Ba 349 was not operational before the end of the war, though the rocket weapon system was extensively ground-tested.

Made of steel, this is an AMAZING piece of history! There is some slight wear and pitting as you can see in the photos, however it remains VERY SOLID! Some markings are stamped into the side, but they are a bit hard to read. The fuse is original to this piece, however as the threads in the steel body were corroded/damaged, the previous owner shaved down the threads on the fuse, in order for it to fit. One could repair the threads inside the body, and then install a replacement fuse, if they wished, but otherwise it looks fantastic as it is. I have shown its location in the last images. A one of a kind item, it would make a PERFECT addition to any collection or display!