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LOT 1281
Desirable Vietnam War Era U.S. M9-2 Portable Flame Thrower Pack with Cased M27 Service Kit - Serial no. 1132, OD green finish. Developed during and deployed in time for the Vietnam War, the M9 portable flame thrower unit was the final conventional flame thrower issued by the U.S. military. With tanks and a frame constructed from aluminum, the M9 is noticeably lighter and more compact than the previous steel constructed M2 series, while maintaining a similar capacity and projection range. It was phased out of service, along with surviving M2 units, in the late 1970s and replaced with the M202 FLASH incendiary rocket launcher. The tanks and frame are painted in OD green color, with a single high-pressure gas sphere feeding a combined dual-cylinder fuel tank assembly, a set of green web straps and backing fitted to the frame, OD green painted Chemical Warfare Services U.S.A. marked
“-2” wand unit, and a brass identification ring between the gas sphere and fuel tank identifying the manufacturer as American Electric Incorporated, manufacture date as “6-64”, and lists the serial number as “1132”. Includes an extra ignition head with cut out for the two included BenzOmatic hand-held igniters, extra fuel tank cap, and three M27 service kit technical manuals.
The service kit is housed in a green painted hardwood case, with a variety of spare parts and tools (both loose and sealed , including a number of different adapters for charging the gas cylinder, pressure test hardware, o-rings, adapters, spare wand barrel, and a scarce multi-function service wrench), along with a set of manuals for use with the kit with a few different models of U.S. flamethrowers; many of these components have been out of production for decades and can be difficult to find.
CONDITION: Very fine, retaining 80% plus original OD green paint with scattered light edge wear, handling marks, and flaking. M27 service kit and case are fine. The wand is missing a chunk from the igniter head, otherwise the grip safety, valve lever, and rod appear to be mechanically sound. A standout addition to any U.S. military collection with a seldom encountered service kit! Estimate: 7,500 - 11,000
266
LOT 1282
World War II U.S. Stevens Model 520-30 Slide Action Trench Shotgun - Serial no. 63982, 12 gauge, 20 inch round bbl., blue finish, walnut stock.
This is a fine example of a World War II U.S. contract Stevens Model 520-30 trench shotgun with the correct bayonet lug adapter and ventilated six-hole handguard. A martial variant of a John Browning designed sporting gun, the 520 trench gun was originally developed in response to a World War I request for new fighting shotguns for the American Expeditionary Force. It made a strong impression on the evaluators but did not make it into
the field before the armistice was signed. Seeing potential for the gun on the police market, Stevens
kept production going until 1932, and at the outbreak of World War II, the U.S. government bought
every 520 that was still in the warehouse. Checked back into the arsenals at the end of the war, many
were sent back into the field for the Korean War and Vietnam. The right of the barrel has the three-line
Stevens company address, and the left has the two-line gauge markings. Choke gauges at cylinder. The
left of the receiver is stamped “MOD.520-30” ahead of “U.S.”, and the correct “P” above a flaming bomb
proof is on the right of the barrel at the breech and left front edge of the receiver. It has an all blue
finish with smooth walnut forearm and pistol grip stock with a plastic buttplate. The stock and bayonet
lug are correctly fitted with sling swivels. Length of pull is 14 inches.
CONDITION: Very fine, with 75% of the original blue finish, showing areas of brown and gray patina, a
copper tone to the bayonet lug, and minor spotting and handling marks overall. The wood is also very
fine, with mild scuffing overall and some cracking and splitting at the wrist. Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 4,750 - 6,500