Original U.S. WWII Era TRU-FLITE 37mm Super Long Range Police Gas and Flare Gun Serial 5261 in Carry Case with Inert Rounds and Grenades
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Original Item: Only One Available. This is a first for us here at IMA! Here we have a lovely WWII Era TRU-FLITE 37mm "Super Long Range Gas Gun", complete with what looks to be the original pressboard and wooden carry / display case, which has unfortunately lost the original label inside. The case / crate measures approximately 32"L x 14"H x 5 1/2"W, and in addition to the gas gun contains 4 inert TEAR GAS grenades, as well as a variety of inert riot shells and parachute flares. The inert items look to be empty samples, intended for display, made from spent cartridges long ago. As best we can tell the case was designed as much as a display item when for sale as it was to help carry the gun and shells.
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 gun is in lovely condition, especially considering the age, and does not look to have seen much use during its service life. It still has the correct original "plum" finish on the lower frame / receiver, while the barrel is a nice deep blue color. The original markings are still present on the left breech of the barrel, though they are a bit faint on the right side due to the roll stamping having been done a bit lightly at the factory:
TRU-FLITE
TRADE MARK REGISTERED
37 MM. SUPER LONG RANGE GAS GUN
THE LAKE ERIE CHEMICAL CO.
CLEVELEND, OH. U. S. A.
The other side of the barrel is marked with LEP in al oval over MADE IN U.S.A., as with other examples we have seen. There is a simple flip up sight on the breech end of the barrel, which is fully intact. As far as we can tell, the gas gun is still fully functional. It breaks open correctly, with the ejector presenting, and the trigger still dry fires after the hammer is pulled back, though we do not know if the firing pin is intact. The lower frame is marked with serial number 5261 below the trigger guard.
A fantastic Police Gas Gun in the original case complete with some great accessories! This would be perfect for any static law enforcement display!
The Tru Flite 37mm Super Long Range Gas Gun was built at the Lake Erie Chemical Company (Cleveland, Ohio U.S.A.) in the 1930s-1940s. It was designed for launching 37mm CS gas or Smoke grenades during police standoffs. Distress and illumination flares were also sold for this launcher. The thick solid steel receiver and barrel are able to withstand 'hot' loads, enabling the launcher to propel grenades over longer distances than was usual for its day. If a name eight words in length seems like overkill, this gun's name really is that long and is engraved on the receiver and barrel in its entirety. The reddish color of the receiver is the standard factory finish. Some police departments spray painted their lower receivers black and many examples in collections and museums have black-painted lowers.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Minnesota, Washington, and Wisconsin
This product is not available for international shipping.
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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. Every display machinegun and machine gun parts set and gun sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF).
ATF has previously held that devices designed for expelling tear gas or pyrotechnic signals are not weapons and are exempt from the destructive device definition. However, ammunition designed to be used against individuals is available for these 37/38 mm devices. This “anti-personnel” ammunition consists of cartridges containing wood pellets, rubber pellets or balls, and bean bags.
When a gas/flare gun is possessed with “anti-personnel” type ammunition, it clearly becomes an instrument of offensive or defensive combat and is capable of use as a weapon. Since these gas/flare guns have a bore diameter of greater than one-half inch, fire a projectile by the means of an explosive, and, when possessed with “anti-personnel” ammunition, are capable of use as weapons, the combination of the gas/flare gun and “anti-personnel” ammunition is a destructive device as defined in the GCA and NFA. As a result, registration as a destructive device is required.
Any person possessing a gas/flare gun with which “anti-personnel” ammunition will be used must register the making of a destructive device prior to the acquisition of any “anti-personnel” ammunition. In addition, the gas/flare guns are classified as firearms as defined by the GCA when possessed with “anti-personnel” type ammunition.
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