WWII German 20mm High-Explosive Inert Round - Waffen 359

Description

8/8/2025 - This is a demilitarized and inert 20mm high-explosive (HE) round composed of mixed components from two distinct eras. The casing is an original German WWII example, headstamped “P198 6h 39,” indicating it was manufactured in 1939 by Metallwarenfabrik Treuenbrietzen GmbH, Werk Röderhof. It also bears the Waffenamt eagle 359 military acceptance stamp, confirming its use in the German armed forces. The projectile is a postwar U.S.-made 20mm HE or HEI round, marked “LOT-FA-E-846-1951-20MM,” manufactured by Frankford Arsenal in 1951. The projectile features a hollow cavity with internal threads where a nose fuse would have been installed. It has been safely rendered inert, containing no explosive filler or propellant, and the tip can be removed to reveal the empty interior. The casing shows minor denting near the neck, likely from past disassembly, and retains a patina consistent with age. Measuring approximately 7.25 inches in length with a 1-inch base diameter, this round is a unique collector’s item that highlights both WWII German ordnance and early Cold War-era U.S. munitions manufacturing. It is safe for display or educational purposes.