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LOT 1404
World War II York Safe & Lock Co.
U.S. M3A1 37mm Anti-Tank Gun with Carriage, Class III/NFA Destructive Device - Serial no. 28749, 37 mm cal.,
78 inch round bbl., green finish. This is a desirable example of a York Safe & Lock Co.
manufactured U.S. M3A1 37mm anti-tank gun with carriage. Less than 19,000 of these were reportedly manufactured for the war
effort between 1940-1943. They were the first standard anti-tank gun of the U.S. infantry,
and were able to be towed behind a Jeep. Although initially effective, rapid improvements
in German tank armor quickly rendered these guns ineffective, with many replaced by
the more powerful 57mm M1 anti-tank gun in the European and Mediterranean Theaters, although the 37mm M3 guns continued to see effective widespread use in the Pacific
against the smaller Japanese tanks and as an anti-personnel weapon. This example is 1943 dated on the left of the breech. Absent breech block in the gun itself, with two breech blocks and some small parts included separately in the compartment on the carriage. Also includes a cleaning rod assembly.
CONDITION: Fine overall, retains 75% period green painted finish with a slightly faded appearance, some flaking on the balance and some areas of light oxidation. Absent optical sight and absent muzzle brake. Mechanically non-functional in its current state, with breech block included separately, and
a live bore. NOTE: This Destructive Device is a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) under the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 479, National Firearms Act.
318 Estimate: 12,000 - 18,000