Original Item. Only One Available. This is an original U.S. military M136 AT4 84mm recoilless anti-tank launcher in very good display condition. This expended and inert example retains its original military labels and safety warnings, folding shoulder stop, front and rear pop-up sights, and part of the protective front gasket. The original sling is no longer present and has been replaced with a green nylon rope.

This example is totally inert, non-firing, and incapable of chambering or firing a projectile. The M136 was manufactured as a single use, non-reloadable weapon, and this expended launcher is not classified as a firearm or destructive device by the BATF once properly used and rendered inert. It is therefore not subject to GCA or NFA provisions. NOT AVAILABLE FOR EXPORT. NOT AVAILABLE TO CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS.

A tag beneath the remaining front rubber gasket is marked:

AT4 13229861
FFV87K001-015

The launcher retains its folding shoulder stop, which helped the operator position and stabilize the weapon when aiming. The original carry sling is gone, replaced with a green nylon rope. Both protective sight covers remain present. When opened, the original front and rear sights rise correctly into their operating positions. The front gasket also survives, including all of the flexible rubber fingers originally intended to prevent dirt and debris from entering the launcher, with some minor edge wear.

The exterior shows moderate wear from military service, including scattered scratches, abrasions, and finish loss. The original labels and safety warnings remain present and give the launcher excellent visual and technical character. No attempt has been made to disguise the honest wear associated with an expended piece of military equipment.

The M136 AT4 was adopted as a lightweight, portable weapon that could be carried and operated by an individual soldier. The launcher and 84mm projectile were manufactured and issued together as a sealed, single use unit. Once fired, the empty tube was normally discarded, making complete surviving examples with their sling, sights, shoulder stop, labels, and protective components particularly appealing as displays.

The AT4 is a recoilless weapon, meaning that propellant gases are vented through the rear of the launcher to counteract the recoil generated when the projectile is fired. This permitted a relatively powerful 84mm round to be fired from the shoulder, but it also created a hazardous backblast area behind the operator. Personnel had to ensure that the area behind the launcher was clear before firing.

The AT4 was developed from the Swedish 74mm Pansarskott m/68, also known as the Miniman. Development of its replacement began in 1976 under Förenade Fabriksverken, or FFV, at Zakrisdal in Karlstad, Sweden. The designers sought to create a rugged, accurate, and easily operated weapon capable of engaging light and medium armored vehicles, heavier armored vehicles from more vulnerable angles, and field fortifications.

Prototype evaluation firings began in the early 1980s. The design was subsequently entered into the U.S. Army competition for a replacement for the M72 LAW after difficulties with the proposed FGR-17 Viper. The Swedish weapon competed against several international designs, including the British LAW 80, German Armbrust, French APILAS, and an improved Norwegian M72.

The AT4 came closest to meeting the U.S. Army’s requirements. American requested modifications included revised front and rear bumpers, changes to the sights, and an improved carrying sling. The resulting version was adopted by the United States as the M136 Lightweight Multipurpose Weapon. The revised features were later incorporated into the version adopted by Sweden as the Pansarskott m/86.

The M136 was intended to provide infantry units with a readily carried means of attacking armored vehicles and fortified positions. Its shaped charge warhead was most effective against light and medium armor or against the sides and rear of more heavily protected vehicles. It could also be employed against bunkers, buildings, and other hardened positions.

To prepare the weapon for firing, the operator removed the transport safety pin, unfolded the shoulder stop, opened the sight covers, positioned the launcher on the right shoulder, and checked the backblast area. The firing system and safety controls were designed to be simple enough for use by an individual soldier while minimizing the possibility of an accidental discharge.

The original version was intended for use in open areas because of its substantial rearward blast. Later AT4 CS, or Confined Space, variants were developed for use in urban environments and other enclosed positions. The original M136 nevertheless became one of the most recognizable shoulder launched weapons used by the United States during the late Cold War, Gulf War, and subsequent military operations.

Because operational launchers were discarded after firing, many expended tubes lost their slings, sight covers, shoulder stops, gaskets, labels, and other external components. This example remains especially desirable for display because it retains its original sling, functioning pop up sights, folding shoulder stop, partial front gasket, identification tag, and extensive military labeling. It would make an impressive addition to a modern U.S. military, Gulf War, Cold War, infantry weapons, inert ordnance, or military technology collection.

This example remains particularly complete for display with both pop-up sights, their protective covers, the folding shoulder stop, surviving front gasket, identification tag, and extensive original labeling. The replacement rope sling, and minor gasket wear are the principal condition considerations.