Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original U.S. military M72A2 66mm Light Anti-Tank Weapon, commonly known as the LAW, retaining its olive drab launcher tube, carrying sling, rear end cap, securing hardware, and extensive original yellow operating and ammunition markings. The launcher is dated December 1972, placing its production during the closing period of American involvement in the Vietnam War and making it an excellent late-Vietnam / early Cold War representative example.

This is an inert, non-firing, BATF compliant launcher tube. Once fired, these disposable launchers cannot be reloaded for normal service. Unloaded or dummy grenades, artillery shell casings, and similar devices that are cut or drilled in a BATF approved manner so 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 side of the launcher retains the following yellow painted markings:

ROCKET HE 66MM ANTITANK M72A2 W/ COUPLER
LOT LS-214-40 -R 12-72
OPERATING AND STORAGE TEMP
-40° TO +140°
LIMITED LIGHT SIGHT

These markings identify the original contents as an M72A2 high explosive 66mm anti-tank rocket and note the presence of a limited light front sight.

The rear end cap is additionally marked: BTA-3-20. The launcher retains its original olive drab fabric carrying sling, securing cord, rear cover, retaining pin, and associated fittings. The rear cover remains secured by the original metal pin and cord arrangement. The tube exhibits scattered scratches and minor handling wear, but the original olive drab finish and important yellow stencil markings remain strong and clearly legible.

The M72 LAW was developed as a lightweight, self-contained, one-shot antitank weapon that could be carried and fired by a single infantryman. The complete weapon consisted of a factory-loaded 66mm rocket enclosed within a telescoping launcher. When prepared for firing, the inner tube was extended from the outer body, which also carried the sights, trigger mechanism, safety components, and protective covers. Once fired, the launcher was intended to be discarded rather than reloaded in normal service. U.S. production began in 1963, and the weapon was adopted by both the Army and Marine Corps as a compact replacement for heavier or less convenient infantry antitank systems.

The M72’s propulsion system originated in work conducted at the Rohm and Haas research laboratory at Redstone Arsenal, while the complete weapon was developed by personnel associated with the Hesse-Eastern Division of Norris Thermador. Its small size and comparatively light weight allowed individual soldiers to carry antitank capability without requiring a dedicated crew-served launcher.

Although conceived primarily as an antitank weapon, the LAW also proved useful against bunkers, field fortifications, fighting positions, and other hardened targets. The weapon remained in U.S. service through the Vietnam era and continued in various forms afterward. Marine Corps training material still describes the M72 family as a lightweight, recoilless, discardable 66mm antitank weapon intended for close-range use.

The M72A2 represented one of the improved wartime developments of the basic LAW system. This December 1972 example falls squarely within the late Vietnam War production period, while also representing a weapon family that remained important during the subsequent Cold War. The surviving “W/ COUPLER” and “LIMITED LIGHT SIGHT” markings identify specific features of this original loaded configuration and are particularly useful for documenting the exact variant.

This example is especially noteworthy for retaining the M72A2 identification, December 1972 lot date, original yellow operating stencils, Limited Light Sight marking, rear cap, sling, securing cord, retaining pin, and associated fittings. Its scratches and handling wear are consistent with military storage and use, while the surviving markings make it a particularly informative late-Vietnam-era LAW launcher for an ordnance or infantry weapons collection.

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).