{"product_id":"original-u-s-korean-war-deactivated-m20a1b1-3-5-inch-super-bazooka-rocket-launcher-by-birtman-electric-co-with-1952-dated-inert-practice-rocket-sling","title":"Original U.S. Korean War Deactivated M20A1B1 3.5-Inch Super Bazooka Rocket Launcher by Birtman Electric Co. with 1952-Dated Inert Practice Rocket \u0026 Sling","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Set Available. This is an original U.S. military \u003cb\u003eM20A1B1 3.5-inch Super Bazooka rocket launcher\u003c\/b\u003e manufactured by \u003cb\u003eBirtman Electric Co.\u003c\/b\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eUnloaded 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.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe markings on the rear portion are still partly legible, and the clear portions read as follows:-\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLAUNCHER, ROCKET\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e3.5 INCH M20 A1 B1\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSERIAL NO 240781\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eF7140681\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBIRTMAN ELEC CO\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eINSP.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese markings identify the launcher as a genuine U.S.-manufactured \u003cb\u003eM20A1B1\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe launcher is of the familiar lightweight \u003cb\u003etwo-piece aluminum takedown construction\u003c\/b\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt 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!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis dating is particularly significant for the included inert practice rocket. The rocket components are stamped\u003cb\u003e 6-52\u003c\/b\u003e and \u003cb\u003e8-52\u003c\/b\u003e, corresponding to \u003cb\u003eJune \u003c\/b\u003eand \u003cb\u003eAugust 1952\u003c\/b\u003e, making them entirely consistent with the period in which the M20A1B1 entered production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45819653324869,"sku":"ONSV26MSB042","price":1895.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/IMG-0206.jpg?v=1790023673","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-korean-war-deactivated-m20a1b1-3-5-inch-super-bazooka-rocket-launcher-by-birtman-electric-co-with-1952-dated-inert-practice-rocket-sling","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}