{"product_id":"original-u-s-cold-war-era-m72a2-light-anti-armor-weapon-law-tube-with-coupler-nozzle-wrap-dated-1978","title":"Original U.S. Cold War Era M72A2 Light Anti-Armor Weapon “LAW” Tube with Coupler \u0026 Nozzle Wrap - Dated 1978","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. \u003cb\u003eM72A2 66mm Light Anti-Armor Weapon, or LAW, inert launcher tube\u003c\/b\u003e dated \u003cb\u003eAugust 1978\u003c\/b\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNot Available For Export\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example still has the original paint stamping:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eROCKET HE 66 MM ANTITANK M72A2\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eW\/ COUPLER \u0026amp; NOZZLE WRAP\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLOT LS-229 26 RW\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003cb\u003e8-78\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eOPERATING AND STORAGE TEMP.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e-40F TO +140F\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLIMITED LIGHT SIGHT\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCAUTION RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFRONT SIGHT 3MC PM147\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDISPOSE PER AR755-15\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cb\u003e8-78\u003c\/b\u003e marking dates the launcher to \u003cb\u003eAugust 1978\u003c\/b\u003e, placing it well within the Cold War period and several years after the end of direct U.S. combat operations in Vietnam.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wording \u003cb\u003eW\/ COUPLER\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example also retains the original \u003cb\u003enozzle wrap\u003c\/b\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis example is particularly noteworthy for its \u003cb\u003eAugust 1978 date, original W\/ COUPLER \u0026amp; 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\u003c\/b\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45840452616261,"sku":"ONSV26MSB009","price":695.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26MSB009.jpg?v=1790191475","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-cold-war-era-m72a2-light-anti-armor-weapon-law-tube-with-coupler-nozzle-wrap-dated-1978","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}