This page is part of the expanded Crafty Puzzles reference library. It uses current manufacturer information and does not claim that the original Crafty Puzzles store sold this model.
How to recognise Bolts of Pompeii
Manufacturer: Project Genius / True Genius. Mechanism: six-piece interlocking metal burr / disentanglement puzzle. Objective: Separate the six interlocked metal bolt pieces and rebuild the burr form.
The manufacturer rates this model 4/5.
Designer: Oskar van Deventer.
Try a hint before opening the full solution
These are original Crafty Puzzles strategy hints based on the documented objective and mechanism; they do not reproduce the manufacturer’s step-by-step solution.
Hint 1
Look for the bolt that has slightly more controlled travel than the others; burr puzzles normally have an unlocking movement rather than six equally fixed parts.
Hint 2
Keep the overall orientation stable while testing one axis at a time so you can distinguish useful movement from rotation of the whole puzzle.
Hint 3
For reassembly, first recreate the loose central interlock and only tighten the structure when the final bolt can enter without force.
Official Bolts of Pompeii solution
Use the manufacturer resource for the exact sequence
Project Genius provides official solution material for its True Genius range. Crafty Puzzles links to those resources rather than copying protected photographs, videos or instructions.
Find this or a similar puzzle
Advertisement / paid links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As an eBay Partner, I may be compensated if you make a purchase.
Availability changes. Confirm the maker, model and mechanism before buying. Affiliate disclosure.
Source and verification
- Source
- Project Genius official product record — open source
- Information checked
- 24 October 2026
- Verification status
- Official manufacturer identity, stated piece count/type and difficulty checked; exact solution retained externally
- Rights handling
- Third-party source — link only — Crafty Puzzles provides original identification notes and progressive hints, then links to the manufacturer for the full solution resource rather than copying third-party photographs or instruction material. Read the site-wide policy
