Original Item. Only One Available. This is a great U.S. WWII 57mm 6-Pounded Anti-Tank round M86 in an M23A2 casing. This was the U.S. version of the British Ordnance QF (Quick Firing) 6-pounder Anti-Tank gun, which uses cartridges with attached propellant, as opposed to separate shells and propellant bags. It is completely inert, and cannot be converted to any type of explosive device. As with all deactivated ordnance, this item is not available for export.

The round measures 23¼” tall. The projectile is marked at the driving band with the following:

LOT WCO-2-52-1944-57MM-M86

This denotes a date of 1944. The bottom of the casing reads:

1944
S
LOT CCO-1-7
(FLAMING BOMB) 2M

57MM M23 A2

The projectile can be removed from the round to inspect the interior.

A great example, ready for further research and display.

The Ordnance Quick-Firing 6-pounder 7 cwt, or just 6-pounder, was a British 57 mm gun, serving as a primary anti-tank gun of the British Army during World War II, as well as the main armament for a number of armored fighting vehicles.

Although planned before the start of the war, it did not reach service until the North African Campaign in April 1942. There, it replaced the 2-pounder as an anti-tank gun, allowing the 25 pounder gun-howitzer to revert to its intended artillery role. The United States Army also adopted the 6-pounder as their primary anti-tank gun as the 57 mm Gun M1.

In spring 1943, following the experience of the North African Campaign, the Infantry branch of the US Army recognised the need to field a heavier antitank gun than the 37 mm M3. The Ordnance QF 6-pounder was introduced into US service as the 57mm M1, following standard US nomenclature.

Introduction was made in the face of objections by the US Army Infantry Board, which believed it to be too heavy. The Ordnance Board, on the other hand, felt that a more powerful weapon should be introduced; the Airborne and Cavalry rejected it.

According to the Table of Organisation and Equipment (TO&E) from 26 May 1943, a regimental antitank company included nine 57 mm guns and each battalion had an antitank platoon with three guns, giving a total of 18 guns per regiment. Dodge WC-62/WC-63 6×6 1½ ton trucks were issued as artillery tractors in place of the 3/4 ton truck used with its predecessor the 37mm. Because of the unexpected adoption into service, the only ammunition type in production in the US was the AP ammunition.

By mid-1944, the M1 was the standard antitank gun of the US infantry in the Western Front and outnumbered the M3 in Italy.

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).