Here at Donley Auctions, we're thrilled to offer a truly unique piece of military history in our upcoming Guns, Knives, & Militaria Auction: a detonator fuse from the Davy Crockett tactical nuclear weapon system (Lot #2250). This isn't just any artifact; it's a tangible link to a fascinating and, in some ways, still shrouded chapter of the Cold War.
Many have heard whispers of the Davy Crockett, but let's recap. This was no ordinary firearm. It was a portable, recoilless rifle system designed to fire a small nuclear warhead – the M-388. And when we say "small," we mean it. The warhead itself was surprisingly compact, approximately 30 inches long and 11 inches in diameter. Imagine: a nuclear warhead that could be carried and deployed by a small team!
Now, you might be picturing someone shouldering this thing like a hunting rifle. Not quite. The Davy Crockett operated more like a spigot mortar. The warhead was attached to the end of a launch tube, which was mounted on a tripod or vehicle. The "rifle" aspect was all about aiming that tube and triggering the launch. An explosive charge propelled the warhead out, and the recoilless design helped manage the blast. It was a clever, albeit chilling, piece of engineering.
This particular detonator fuse has a compelling story of its own. It comes to us from a Vietnam-era veteran, Greg Keylock, who served in the US Army (1967-1969). As Mr. Keylock recounts, he was involved with the Davy Crockett program—a program so secretive that even those involved sometimes found themselves in the dark about its true purpose. His story, shared with us, details his experiences with the Davy Crockett and hints at its potential role in historical events, including the rumored "Operation Fracture Jaw." This detonator fuse was gifted to him by his gun crew after their last training fire mission, making it a truly special and personal piece of history.
The Davy Crockett was never deployed in combat, but it stands as a powerful symbol of the Cold War's nuclear anxieties and the strategic thinking of the era. This detonator fuse isn't just a piece of metal; it's a connection to that era, a reminder of the complex geopolitical landscape and the technological innovations—both awe-inspiring and terrifying—that it produced.
At Donley Auctions, we've had the privilege of handling other remarkable pieces of Davy Crockett history. In 2024, we sold an inert W54 tactical nuclear warhead, the very type designed for the Davy Crockett, for nearly $13,000 at auction! This underscores the enduring fascination with this unique weapon system and the value collectors place on owning a piece of its history.
We invite you to delve deeper into the story of the Davy Crockett and its place in 20th-century history. And, of course, we invite you to participate in our upcoming Guns, Knives, & Militaria Auction on March 15 and 16, here in Union, IL, or online at DonleyAuctions.com, where this remarkable artifact, the detonator fuse, will find its new home. Don't miss this opportunity to own a piece of Cold War history!
Auctioneers of antiques. Collectors of cool. Veterans of vintage. Email photos and information about your single items or whole collections to consign@donleyauctions.com.
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