Original U.S. GWOT BGM-71E TOW Anti-Tank Missile Launcher Tube with Named End Caps Indicating Hit - Inert

Original Item. Only One Available. This is an inert non-firing BATF compliant BGM-71E TOW Anti-Tank Missile Launcher tube offered in excellent condition. Once fired, these tubes are unable to be reloaded. According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATF), the BGM-71 TOW has been classified as a destructive device. Notwithstanding its inability to be reloaded, BATF specifications mandate that the device's integrity be disrupted by means of creating an aperture of the same diameter as its bore and rendering other components inoperable. A metal bar has also been secured through the barrel to prevent loading.

Unloaded or dummy grenades, artillery shell casings, and similar devices, which are cut or drilled in an BATF-approved manner so that they cannot be used as ammunition components for destructive devices, are not considered NFA weapons. This example is in total compliance and is NOT AVAILABLE FOR EXPORT OR SHIPMENT TO CALIFORNIA ADDRESSES.

The BGM-71 TOW ("Tube-launched, Optically tracked, Wire-guided") is an American anti-tank missile. TOW replaced much smaller missiles like the SS.10 and ENTAC, offering roughly twice the effective range, a more powerful warhead, and a greatly improved semi-automatic command to line of sight (SACLOS) that could also be equipped with infrared cameras for night time use. First produced in 1968, TOW is one of the most widely used anti-tank guided missiles. It can be found in a wide variety of manually carried and vehicle-mounted forms, as well as widespread use on helicopters. Originally designed by Hughes Aircraft in the 1960s, the weapon is currently produced by RTX.

This is a great example of a BGM-71 TOW missile tube, which retains its original endcap as well as a second endcap that came with it. The launcher measures roughly 49½” long with an 8½” diameter. The tube still retains some of its original wiring which would have connected to the launcher in order to be fired. The tube still has the original data tag, which is clear:

GUIDED MISSILE SURFACE ATTACK
BGM-71E-5B
NATL. STOCK NO. 1410-01-379-8260
P/N 13426588 S/N 486774
MFG. HUGHES MISSILE SYSTEMS CO.
CONTR. NO. DAAH01-92-C-0260

There is a yellow band around the circumference reading 71E-5B, its designation. The side of the launcher is also stamped:

LOT NO. HAQ95F306-403
STOR. TEMP. LIM.
-65F TO +155F

The first end cap is inscribed with marker 11 JUNE 98 / TOW2B, and the second is inscribed:

D Co 2/504 P.I.R.
14 Aug 98
Range #63
First Round Hit
T-64 2000m
0950 R to L
SPC Verbyla

This indicates that the launcher was used by Specialist Verbyla, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment on August 14th, 1998 against a Soviet-made T-64 tank at a range of 2000 meters around 0950 hours, likely in Afghanistan. This makes for a fantastic research project!

This is a tremendous inert example of a BGM-71 TOW Missile launcher tube, ready for further research and display!