EXTREMELY SCARCE U.S. WWII M9A1 BAZOOKA WITH ROCKETS

EXTREMELY SCARCE U.S. WWII M9A1 BAZOOKA WITH ROCKETS

03-2214 | Cal. 2.36″ (60mm). | S# 120876. | Bbl. 60 3/8″.

While the M10 shaped-charge grenade proved effective, its weight of 3.5 lbs proved to be too heavy to be thrown or fired as a rifle grenade. By 1942, Colonel Leslie Skinner instructed Lieutenant Edward Uhl, with creating a delivery system for the M10 grenade. By May of that same year, what would be designated as the “M1”, would be trialed, and by late 1942 the improved M1A1 “Bazooka” (which was to be followed by several improvements throughout the course of the war) was already placed into production. This example, an M9A1, is marked with the S# “120876” at on the left rear of the rear section of tube, with “M9A1” marked towards the central mounting coupler on either tube. Coupler is marked “LOCK”. Metal components exhibit a green painted finish overall, save for on the optical sight’s elevation adj. plate, which is blued. Rear tube is mounted with 2-piece plain black synthetic grip panels, the left panel featuring a selector switch on the rear, as well as “SAFE” and “FIRE” on the left side in the corresponding areas. Additionally, the rear tube is mounted with a stamped steel shoulder rest, with an optical reflector sight mounted on the left. UNATTACHED ACCESSORIES: x2 inert rockets. x1 rocket exhibits an apparent period green painted exterior and is marked “BTRY. “C” 446TH/ AAA-AW B.” in white paint. The other rocket exhibits a black and red painted exterior.  PROVENANCE: Military Museum Collection of Shooters Outpost, Hooksett NH. NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE REQUIRING BATF TRANSFER BEFORE TAKING POSSESSION. FULLY TRANSFERABLE. STATUS: CURIO. CLASS III.