{"product_id":"original-british-wwii-inert-piat-anti-tank-bomb-launcher-round-dated-june-1944","title":"Original British WWII Inert PIAT Anti Tank Bomb Launcher Round Dated June 1944","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a scarce original British WWII inert PIAT high explosive anti tank bomb dated \u003cstrong\u003eJune 1944\u003c\/strong\u003e. Although heavily worn and showing the effects of age, oxidation, and recovery, it retains substantial original factory paint, visible wartime markings, its distinctive shaped charge warhead, and the complete profile of one of Britain’s most recognizable infantry anti tank projectiles. The June 1944 date gives it especially strong collector appeal and places its manufacture during the critical period of the Normandy campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis round is completely inert and contains no explosive charge, detonator, or other hazardous material. It cannot be converted into a functioning explosive device and is not considered a destructive device under current ATF guidelines. Not available for export.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank, commonly known as the PIAT, entered British service in 1943 and first saw action during the invasion of Sicily. It was a shoulder fired spigot mortar designed to launch a hollow charge bomb against armored vehicles, fortifications, and buildings. Unlike conventional launchers, the PIAT produced no significant backblast or muzzle flash, allowing it to be fired from enclosed positions and making it difficult for the enemy to locate the operator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example measures approximately 14 5\/8 inches in length and retains much of its original wartime color coding. The tip carries a red painted band, while the lower portion of the warhead has a broad green stripe positioned between two yellow stripes. These surviving painted details give the round excellent visual character despite its worn condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe warhead is stamped:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6\/44\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLOT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e8A\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe date indicates manufacture in June 1944. Additional markings were once present but are now obscured by oxidation, finish loss, and wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original fuze cap is missing. The threaded nose remains present but has suffered extensive corrosion and is now extremely fragile. The threaded section is nearly broken away, and the nose should not be repeatedly unscrewed or handled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upper portion of the round can still be unscrewed, but the deteriorated metal makes any further disassembly inadvisable. The surviving components should be left in their current position to prevent additional damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe sheet metal structure surrounding the fin assembly is heavily dented and has lost nearly all of its original finish. There is also material loss along portions of the edges. This damage prevents the round from standing securely on its base, but it displays very effectively when laid horizontally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe internal buffer beneath the warhead has deteriorated with age, causing the head to sit loosely and making it difficult for it to remain fully raised. This is an important condition issue but does not prevent the round from presenting a complete and recognizable profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe body shows extensive paint loss, oxidation, dents, abrasions, and areas of metal deterioration. These flaws give the piece the rugged, recovered appearance often associated with battlefield and training range ordnance. Despite its rough condition, the principal form, wartime color coding, and June 1944 markings remain clearly identifiable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe PIAT operated by driving a heavy spring loaded spigot into the tail of the bomb, igniting the projectile’s own propellant charge and launching it from the weapon. Its hollow charge warhead was designed to penetrate armor through a focused explosive effect rather than through the projectile’s velocity. The Australian War Memorial describes the PIAT as a light anti tank weapon that projected a bomb with considerable armor piercing effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe weapon had an effective anti tank range of approximately 100 yards, although bombs could be projected farther for use against structures and area targets. Its lack of backblast made it useful in urban fighting and from enclosed positions, but the PIAT was heavy, difficult to cock, and demanded considerable courage from the operator because of its relatively short effective range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePIAT teams served with British and Commonwealth forces throughout the campaigns in Italy, Northwest Europe, Burma, and the Pacific. The weapon was also supplied to Allied and resistance forces and became one of the most distinctive infantry anti tank arms of the later war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSix British and Commonwealth servicemen received the Victoria Cross for actions involving the PIAT, demonstrating both the weapon’s importance and the extreme danger faced by soldiers who engaged enemy armor at close range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is unquestionably a rough example, but it remains a scarce and highly evocative original PIAT bomb with strong wartime character. Its June 1944 date, surviving factory paint, legible LOT marking, original fin assembly, and unmistakable silhouette make it an appealing display piece for a collector of British airborne equipment, Normandy campaign artifacts, Commonwealth ordnance, or WWII anti tank weapons.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45409642315845,"sku":"ONJR26OL0050","price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/B5F400A0-FF27-42D8-96CD-4B06872F42E6.jpg?v=1785248266","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-british-wwii-inert-piat-anti-tank-bomb-launcher-round-dated-june-1944","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}