Original Item: Only One Available. Now this is something you do not come across every day! This is an original M7A3 grenade launcher as used with the infamous M1 Garand with an original M11A3 practice grenade mounted on. There is very little wear to the launcher itself with nearly all of the original finish still present. Not Available for Export.

The M7 grenade launcher, formally rifle grenade launcher, M7, was a 22 mm rifle grenade launcher attachment for the M1 Garand rifle that saw widespread use throughout World War II and the Korean War. The M7 was a tube-shaped device, with one end slotting over the muzzle of the rifle and attaching to the bayonet mount, and the other end holding the grenade in place. Blank cartridges were loaded into the rifle prior to firing. When fired, the expanding gases generated by the cartridges propelled the grenade forward with considerable force. The M7 could fire grenades up to 200 metres (220 yards), compared with the maximum of 30 metres (33 yards) achieved by a hand-thrown grenade. Anti-armor (M9), Fragmentation (M17), and smoke grenades (M22) were available for the M7.

During the Korean War, it was found that World War II-era anti-tank grenades were useless against the Soviet T-34 tanks fielded by the North Korean Army. A new high-velocity anti-tank rifle grenade called the Mecar ENERGA (dubbed the M28 in US Army service) was soon issued. However, its grenade launcher (dubbed the T119) had the same problems as the original M7 launcher and the M28 was inaccurate when launched from the M7A2. The M7A2 launcher was simply redesigned with a longer tube to fire the improved grenades and could be used with either the "flat edge" or "high hump" lock. After the war (from early 1956 to late 1959) it could be fitted with a leaf-sight that was calibrated for use with the M28. The M7A3 kit (ordnance part No. 5750089) consisted of a M7A3 launcher packed with a "high hump" gas lock to allow the grenadier to upgrade an earlier model M1 Garand to the new specification.

The launcher is stamped KRW C-7266167 on one side and LAUNCHER, GRENADE M7A3 on the other side. KRW denotes manufacture by K. R. Wilson (KRW) of Arcade, New York.

The M11A3 practice grenade is stenciled:

GRENADE, A.T., PRACTICE, M11A3
KPM-1-10-1951

This denotes a date of 1951. The grenade consists of a body, stabilizer assembly and fin. The body is cylindrical with the two pieces being joined in the middle. The stabilizer is a hollow tube which screws into the base of the body and fits over the launcher. The grenade is almost completely identical to the actual live M9A1, the only difference being the color and filler. The tail fin assembly is also loose and moves up and down the shaft.  

Both examples are in good overall condition and are without any significant damage, truly a beautiful pair of items! Comes ready for display.

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).