Original Set. Only One Available. This is an exceptionally complete early Cold War Soviet LPO-50 Light Infantry Flamethrower set dated 1958, consisting of the flame projector, three-tank backpack assembly with harness, connecting line, original canvas sling, and the removable electrical power pack with its separate canvas carrying pouch. The LPO-50 was developed during the 1950s as the Soviet replacement for the WWII-era ROKS series and later saw service outside the Soviet Union, including limited use by North Vietnamese forces during the Vietnam War. This example has been fully deactivated for display, with the tanks punctured and essential functional components missing.

This set is dated 1958, which is quite notable, as this much newer set dated 1982 sold for a whopping $9,200 in 2021.

The flamethrower has been fully deactivated, and is missing integral parts for use and the tanks have been punctured. This is being sold as a display piece. Like all deactivated ordnance, this flamethrower is Not Available for Export.

The LPO-50 was developed in the early 1950s as a replacement for the Soviet ROKS-2 and ROKS-3 flamethrowers of WWII. Published histories generally place its development in 1953, with production beginning during the middle of that decade. The Soviet Ministry of Defense issued a dedicated LPO-50 manual in 1957, making the 1958 date on this example particularly appropriate to the early production period.

This is an outstanding deactivated example of the incredibly scarce Soviet LPO-50 Flamethrower, as used by the North Vietnamese against American forces during the Vietnam War. The set consists of the flame projector, roughly 33” long with a stock, pistol grip, and folding bipod, with three chambers for an incendiary cartridge located below and on both sides of the muzzle. This is then attached to the fuel line, which is rather short, only 32” long, and the other end is attached to the three-tank backpack with canvas harness backed by chainmail.

In 1953, the LPO-50 was developed as the replacement for the aging ROKS flamethrowers, and after trials testing, serial production began in 1955. The Chinese quickly showed interest in the new flamethrower and acquired a license to produce the LPO-50 locally as the Type 58.

The LPO-50 saw limited service in the Vietnam War by the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) against American forces and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, their use alongside Chinese-made Type 58s was restricted due the lack of fuel on the frontlines.

The flame projector is marked on the left side of the receiver with:

A-5118 1958

The projector has one gouge in the left side of the barrel jacket, with some broken wiring visible underneath. We are unsure if the gouge was caused by shrapnel or an accidental impact. The fuel line still screws onto the threading behind the pistol grip, and onto the threading at the end of the backpack frame. The bipod has a hook that keeps the two pieces together under the barrel, but even in this position it has a bit of play, and when undone they are a bit erratic. The original canvas sling is still attached to the flame projector, with 70+ years of dirt and grime giving it a very nice patina.

The fuel line is stamped 5805 on one of the end pieces, and r401 on the other, with some faint stamp markings on the fuel line itself.

When the trigger is pulled, a power pack consisting of four 1.5 V batteries simultaneously ignites the tank-pressurizing and incendiary cartridges. The power pack is located on the butt of the flame projector and lasts about 600 ignitions. The original power pack is included with this set, and comes in its canvas carrying pouch. We inserted the power pack into the butt of the flame projector, and it slides into place without issue. The interior batteries show corrosion at the connection points, typical for nearly 70-year-old batteries, so we cannot guarantee that the power pack would ever work. It is quite a feat to find this set so complete, and the accessories will make for an outstanding display.

There are some condition issues including heavy fraying and some breakage to the electrical wires of the set, including the power cord connected to the backpack, and the gouge in the left side of the barrel jacket shows some frayed wire underneath. So at the very least, this set will require some electrical restoration before it can be “servicable”.

The side of the receiver has a dial with positions for 0, 1, 2, and 3, which switches between the three fuel tanks of the backpack, and the corresponding canister below the muzzle.

The three-tank set is marked on the top of the middle tank in paint with 5206, likely the serial number of the pack. This is quite close to the flame projector serial number, 5118. The threading for connection to the fuel line is stamped B125. There are various stamped markings on the threaded shafts below each tank. The backpack retains the worn canvas and leather backpack system, which is still fully intact without any serious tearing. The leather does look a bit weak with crazing and darkening, but it could likely still be worn as a backpack, though we have not attempted to use it as one. As mentioned, much of the wiring is intact, but the very end with the plug is broken open, so some heavy electrical restoration will be required for this set. It will still display like a dream for display, however. The tanks retain much of their paint and have a great patina. The frame underneath the tank retains two leather straps that keep the electrical wires against the frame. There are two of the same strap wrapped around the fuel line.

The LPO-50 remained one of the Soviet Union's principal conventional man-portable flamethrower designs during the Cold War before systems of this type were progressively superseded by later incendiary rocket weapons, including the RPO family.

Condition overall is very good for a deactivated 1958 military flamethrower set, particularly considering the amount of original equipment that remains together. The principal condition and completeness issues are the deliberately punctured tanks, missing functional components, gouge to the projector's barrel jacket, exposed damaged wiring, and corrosion inside the original power pack.

Its historical and collector significance rests in the combination of the serial-numbered and dated flame projector, three-tank backpack assembly, original harness and wire-mesh back support, connecting line with individual markings, surviving folding bipod, heavily worn original sling, and especially the removable period power pack with its canvas pouch. As a fully deactivated display artifact, the group provides an unusually complete representation of one of the Soviet Union's most distinctive early Cold War infantry weapons and would make a substantial centerpiece in a collection devoted to Soviet equipment, the Cold War, or Vietnam War opposing-force material.

Totally inert, cannot be converted to an explosive device, not available for export. This item is completely legal within the USA. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America.

All deactivated ordnance sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).