Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. M72A2 66mm Light Anti-Armor Weapon, or LAW, inert launcher tube dated August 1978, complete with its coupler, nozzle wrap, front and rear sights, carrying sling, instruction label, safety/cocking lever, rear cap, and retaining pin. The launcher is non-firing and contains no rocket, propellant, explosive warhead, or other live ammunition components. It remains in excellent overall condition with strong original paint and unusually complete external fittings.

Not Available For Export

These are timeless in design, which the U.S. Military has tried to replace in the past, but was unable to find anything better than these disposable launchers. This very nice example has the rear sight intact and the front sight, which is so often missing! The sling is also intact although it is a bit frayed.

This example still has the original paint stamping:

ROCKET HE 66 MM ANTITANK M72A2
W/ COUPLER & NOZZLE WRAP
LOT LS-229 26 RW 8-78
OPERATING AND STORAGE TEMP.
-40F TO +140F
LIMITED LIGHT SIGHT
CAUTION RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
FRONT SIGHT 3MC PM147
DISPOSE PER AR755-15

The 8-78 marking dates the launcher to August 1978, placing it well within the Cold War period and several years after the end of direct U.S. combat operations in Vietnam.

The wording W/ COUPLER identifies an important modification incorporated into later M72A2 production. Army technical manuals specifically instructed troops to verify that M72A2 launchers carried this marking, as the coupler prevented the inner and outer telescoping tubes from separating and creating a potentially dangerous condition.

This example also retains the original nozzle wrap, another feature specifically identified in the painted nomenclature. Both telescoping launcher tubes remain intact, and the launcher can still be extended into its firing configuration.

The launcher is in great condition, still extends and even dry fires. Paint is still very good, and the instruction label is intact as well. Safety handle/cocking lever is still present and functional, and the cap has the retaining pin.

The M72 LAW was developed as a lightweight, disposable anti-armor weapon using a factory-loaded 66mm rocket contained within a telescoping launcher. The launcher was issued as a complete round of ammunition rather than as a reloadable weapon, and once fired the original tube was not intended to be reloaded in normal military service. Army manuals describe the M72A2 system as approximately 25.77 inches long when closed and 35.16 inches when extended.

The M72 family entered U.S. service during the 1960s and became widely associated with Vietnam, but production and development continued long afterward. The M72A2 remained in service into the Cold War, while later M72 variants continued to evolve after attempts to replace the system with newer lightweight anti-armor weapons.

This example is particularly noteworthy for its August 1978 date, original W/ COUPLER & NOZZLE WRAP marking, surviving limited-light PM-147 front sight, intact rear sight, sling, instruction label, functional external controls, and rear cap with retaining pin. Together, these details make it an exceptionally complete representative example of the M72A2 as it remained in U.S. service during the late 1970s Cold War period.

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).