Original U.S. WWII M7 Grenade Launcher for the M1 Garand by Hawley Smith Machine Company in Depot Pouch

Original Item. Only One Available. The practice of projecting grenades with rifle-mounted launchers was first widely used during World War I and World War II and continues to the present, with the term "rifle grenade" now encompassing many different types of payloads including high explosive, fragmentation, anti-tank warheads, concussion, smoke, incendiary, and flare missiles. Rifle grenades have largely been supplanted in the infantry fire support role by a combination of grenade launchers (typically affixed to rifles) and disposable anti-armor rockets.

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 totally inert. NOT AVAILABLE FOR EXPORT.

The M7 grenade launcher, formally rifle grenade launcher, M7, was a 22 mm rifle grenade launcher attachment for the M1 Garand rifle that saw widespread use throughout World War II and the Korean War. The M7 is a tube-shaped device, with one end slotting over the barrel of the rifle, the other end holding the grenade in place. Blank cartridges were loaded into the rifle prior to firing. When fired, the expanding gasses generated by the cartridges propelled the grenade forward with considerable force. The M7 could fire grenades up to 350 meters (380 yards), compared with the maximum of 30 meters (33 yards) achieved by hand grenades. Fragmentation, anti-armor and smoke grenades were all available for the M7.

This example is stamped:

HSMCO
M7 LAUNCHER
FOR M1 RIFLE

This denotes manufacture by Hawley Smith Machine Company. HSM Co received a government contract for M7 production in November 1944 and was the last contractor to produce the launcher. The launcher is in great shape overall with minor wear.

The launcher comes in a canvas pouch with the lift-the-dot snap. The snap looks near unissued and the pouch matches the launcher well. 

A great set, ready for display.