Original Item: Only One Set Available. This is an original U.S. military M20A1B1 3.5-inch Super Bazooka rocket launcher manufactured by Birtman Electric Co., complete with an inert 1952-dated practice rocket, optical sight, original rubber eyecup, web sling, and working external controls. The launcher remains in very good overall condition and shows multiple layers of repainting applied during its service life. Unlike many surviving examples that were stripped and refinished after demilitarization, this launcher retains the appearance of a genuinely used military weapon with its older service-applied finishes still present.

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 NOT AVAILABLE FOR EXPORT.

The markings on the rear portion are still partly legible, and the clear portions read as follows:-

LAUNCHER, ROCKET
3.5 INCH M20 A1 B1

SERIAL NO 240781
F7140681

BIRTMAN ELEC CO
INSP.

These markings identify the launcher as a genuine U.S.-manufactured M20A1B1 rather than a later foreign-produced copy. Birtman Electric Co. is documented as a manufacturer of U.S. M20A1B1 launchers, and surviving museum examples carry very similar manufacturer and drawing-number markings.

The launcher is of the familiar lightweight two-piece aluminum takedown construction used on the improved Super Bazooka family. The two sections separate for transport and storage and lock together for firing. This reduced weight compared with the earlier steel-tube M20 while retaining the same 3.5-inch rocket system.

It is in very good shape, having been repainted multiple times during service. It features the original plastic grip featuring a moveable trigger, and fully functional safety. The trigger still dry fires, and the loading lever at the rear still moves as well. It comes complete with an original optical sight, which is in very good shape, and even retains the rubber eye cup, which is almost always missing! There is also an original M1 Garand style web sling installed!

The M20 Super Bazooka was developed as a larger and more powerful successor to the 2.36-inch bazooka of WWII. The basic M20 entered U.S. service just before the Korean War and quickly became important when the earlier 2.36-inch launchers proved inadequate against North Korean armor. The improved M20A1 and M20A1B1 variants entered production in 1952, incorporating refinements to the launcher and connection system.

This dating is particularly significant for the included inert practice rocket. The rocket components are stamped 6-52 and 8-52, corresponding to June and August 1952, making them entirely consistent with the period in which the M20A1B1 entered production.

The practice rocket retains much of its original finish. Some markings on the body have been replicated, but the dated markings on the inert warhead and fuze section remain original. Surviving 1952-dated practice rounds are documented with M20A1B1 launchers and are closely associated with Korean War-era training and service.

The M20A1B1 remained in U.S. service after Korea and continued into the Cold War period. Its 3.5-inch rocket gave infantry units considerably greater armor penetration and range than the WWII 2.36-inch bazooka, while the aluminum construction reduced the launcher’s weight and made transport easier.

Condition is very good overall. The launcher shows the expected wear of a service-used weapon and has been repainted several times during its military life. The surviving layers of finish, rather than a modern restoration, give it an honest period appearance. The optical sight, rubber eyecup, sling, controls, manufacturer markings, and inert practice rocket make the set notably complete.

This example is especially desirable for the combination of its Birtman Electric Co. manufacture, serial number 240781, original optical sight with scarce rubber eyecup, functioning external controls, original sling, service-applied repainting, and 1952-dated inert practice rocket. Together, these components form a strong representative example of the improved 3.5-inch Super Bazooka system associated with the Korean War and early 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).