Original Cold War Era Carl Gustaf M2 84mm Deactivated Recoilless Rifle Anti-Tank Launcher with Rare British Optic, Training Round in Carrier, Manual, and Spare Parts - Inert

Original Item: Only one available. This example is totally inert and incapable of firing having been deactivated in accordance with guidelines provided by the BATF. A hole has been cut on the rear left the same diameter as the bore, as shown in the pictures, which is now covered by the left side pad. The firing pin has been removed and the firing pin retainer drilled out with a 1/2" bit through the other side, and a 1/2" steel bar welded across the bore in its place. All other mechanisms have been rendered inert.

NOT AVAILABLE FOR EXPORT. NOT AVAILABLE TO CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS.

In terms of recent military weapons that make impressive wall-hanger display pieces, Anti-Tank launchers definitely take the cake. They may not be as impressive as the tank itself, but they are also far more display friendly, and require far less maintenance, preparation, and so forth.

This is a great cold war era Swedish Carl Gustaf M2 84mm shoulder fired recoilless rifle, originally developed in the late 1940s as a crew-served man-portable infantry support gun. The design and various types of ammunition used made it suitable for close-range multi-role anti-armor, anti-personnel, battlefield illumination, smoke screening and marking fire. The design also has seen great export success around the globe and continues to be a popular multi-purpose support weapon in use by many nations.

At just 44 1/2 inches long, the Carl Gustaf 84mm recoilless rifle is a lightweight, low-cost weapon that uses a wide range of ammunition, which makes it extremely flexible and suitable for a wide variety of roles. Unlike many similar weapon systems that are single use, this could be used repeatedly by the squad in a variety of uses.

There were several versions of the Carl Gustaf 84mm Recoilless Rifle released, and this is the M2 "Export", introduced in 1964 as an improved, lighter and slightly shorter version of the original M1 for the export market. It quickly replaced the original version, and was the version that really popularized the system during the Cold War Era. There are some markings in Hebrew near the rear blast nozzle, so we believe this example saw use in Israel.

As it is "recoilless", that does mean that anyone standing to the rear of it is in quite a bit of danger due to the back blast, as well as the pressure wave from firing. In general members of the squad were limited to a set number of firings per day due to the stress on the body, and this is probably why in Australia, it is irreverently known as "Charlie Gutsache" (guts ache, meaning stomach pain). Even those several meters to the side could still suffer the effects.

This is only the second example we have had, and this is by far the more complete example, with a very rare British optic mounted to the side, as used in the Falklands, and a great original spring-loaded monopod attached at the front of the rifle instead of at the center, and the wooden pistol grip is absent. Additionally, this example comes with the original manual, spare parts including the Night Vision Optic Mount, and a training round in the original carrier. This complete set will make for an outstanding display.

This example does look to have been repainted following deactivation. The fold out front sight is intact, but the rear sight is not as there is a British No. 78 MK 1 Telescopic sight mounted to the side. The top of the optic retains its markings:

Telescope
No. 78 MK 1
2033/64
99-960-6970

The optic is still removable from the mount, and the optics themselves are great with the reticle still very visible. The removable mount is stamped:

NSN N3
1015-99-966-5906

The rear hand grip is retained, but the front grip is gone and the spring-loaded monopod is attached in its place. The trigger is present and does still move but doesn’t click. The safety still moves as well. The rear nozzle can be rotated into the loading position, however the latch definitely takes a rubber mallet to move.

The front barrel is marked 300242 and the rear nozzle is also marked 300242, so they appear to be matching. The launcher also retains a sling which appears to be original. 

The original manual is a USER HANDBOOK for the GUN, 84mm, INF, ATK, L14A1. In the United Kingdom, the M2 variant was used as the L14A1 Infantry Anti-Tank Gun or Medium Anti-Tank Weapon from the 1960s until the early 1990s, when it was replaced by LAW 80. The handbook is dated 1968 and in great shape.

The included accessories include a large wire mesh cleaning pad and some spare mount equipment.

The original dual-round carrier is Swedish and retains a sticker reading EKSERCER on one of the tubes and a data label on the other reading:

AMM. SAE, E:84MM M/88 (HU M/79, MOTOR)
(DYSEKANON: 84MM M/79)
(CROWN)
HMAK
2 EA
PT, E, 84MM M/88 (HU M/79, MOTOR)
LNR: 1315-22-120-5246

The original training round is inert and is marked on the side:

84MM
M/88
(HU M/79 MOTOR)
E

A great example of a very hard to find recoilless rifle with a rare scope, training round and accessories, ready to display!