WW1 German GRZ 14 Fuze – Dated 1916 – Original Great War Artillery Component

An original RELIC World War One German GRZ 14 artillery fuze, clearly dated 1916, representing a genuine surviving component of Imperial German ordnance from the height of the Great War. Brass and steel body, steel top to save on Brass as was scarce.

Manufactured during one of the most intense periods of the First World War, this GRZ 14 fuze is a tangible relic of the vast artillery exchanges that defined trench warfare on the Western Front and beyond.

Compact yet historically significant, dated fuze examples from 1916 are increasingly scarce and highly desirable among serious WW1 militaria collectors.

Historical Context – German Artillery in 1916

The year 1916 marked one of the most brutal chapters of the First World War, including prolonged artillery engagements such as the Battle of Verdun and the Battle of the Somme.

German artillery doctrine relied heavily on precision fuzing systems to control detonation timing and effectiveness. The GRZ 14 fuze formed part of this technological framework, enabling reliable ignition and controlled explosive function within artillery shells.

Artillery dominated the battlefield during WWI, and fuze mechanisms such as the GRZ 14 were critical components in ensuring operational reliability under combat conditions.

The GRZ 14 Fuze

The GRZ 14 was designed as a mechanical fuze system for German artillery munitions. Precision-engineered and industrially produced, it reflects:

• The scale of Imperial German wartime manufacturing

• The technical evolution of early 20th-century ordnance design

• The central role of artillery in trench warfare

A dated 1916 example places this piece firmly within the peak production years of German Great War artillery.

Collector & Display Value

This 1916 dated GRZ 14 fuze is ideal for:

• Collectors of WW1 German militaria

• Artillery and ordnance historians

• Western Front focused collections

• Museum or educational displays

• Imperial German Army artefact collectors

Its clear wartime date enhances both authenticity and historical appeal.

Key Features

• Original WW1 German GRZ 14 fuze

• Clearly dated 1916

• Imperial German artillery component

• Authentic Great War ordnance relic

• Compact and displayable

• Increasingly scarce dated example

Condition

Original period, RELIC condition with age-related wear consistent with over a century of history. Markings and date visible. Please refer to detailed photographs for surface condition and stamp details.

Antiqurio Collection Note

At Antiqurio, we curate authentic artefacts that preserve the material history of global conflict. This 1916 dated GRZ 14 fuze represents the industrial scale and technological precision that characterised artillery warfare during the First World War.