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LOT 3353
World War II U.S. Army M9A1 “Bazooka” Recoilless Rocket Launcher with Accessories, Class III/NFA Destructive Device - Serial no. CB217750, 2.36 inch , 61 inch round bbl., green finish, metal stock. An evolution of the M1, the M9A1 was part of the “Bazooka”/”Stovepipe” line of shoulder fired anti-tank rocket launchers. The first of its
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LOT 3352
Douglas L. Oefinger Model 1917 Medium Machine Gun, Class III/ NFA Fully Transferable Machine Gun, with Tripod and Accessories - Serial no. 233280, 30 cal., 24 inch round bbl., blue finish, plastic grips. Originally developed by John Browning, the water cooled Model 1917 machine gun was in many ways the American answer to, and improvement on, the 1906 Maxim Gun deployed by the Germans. Variations of the 1917, especially the air-cooled 1919 Model, would serve as the go-to medium machine gun of America’s armed forces through the bulk of the 20th century, and the basic structure would be developed and refined to create the M2 heavy machine gun, which stands to this very day as one of the best weapons in its class. This example was manufactured by the firm of Douglas L. Oefinger of Stamford, Connecticut, using a combination of new-made and military surplus components. Blade front and folding ladder rear sights, with a set of Westinghouse-style nomenclature on the right side plate above the DLO address, a brass-capped steel water jacket, and a rear pistol grip. Threaded water plugs on barrel jacket are present and functional, as well as the front and lower cork assembly. Included with the lot is a 1917A1 pattern tripod with integral traverse and elevation adjustment, a steam chest assembly with hoses, two extra barrels, assorted small parts, a metal ammo can and a leather reinforced canvas cover. CONDITION: Very fine, with 90% of the blue finish, showing some sub-surface dings/pits on some components, mild edge/ handling wear, and some oxidization on the grip frame and spare parts. Mild verdigris is present on the brass, with some chipping of the grip panels. The steam chest is untested, with some commercial replacement parts, and the tripod shows light wear. Mechanically needs adjustment. NOTE: This weapon 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 478. Estimate: 14,000 - 22,500
kind, the Bazooka was a massive shift in how infantry dealt with tanks and armored vehicles, and replaced the then underpowered anti-tank rifles of the inter-war era with a shaped charged rocket that could cope with the armor plating of the day. While other designs have come about, the basic principles are still in use today, and “bazooka” is still a recognized nickname for the entire class of weapon. The M9A1 was introduced in 1944 and would see America through the close of World War II. Constructed from two sections of steel tubing, the launcher is able to be broken down for storage and transport, with a flip-out optical sight for aiming and an integral magneto in lieu of an ignition battery. Both halves are marked “M9A1” near the junction point, with a wire reinforced chamber and the serial number near the breech. The “CB” prefix is associated with the Cheney-Bigelow Wire Works of Springfield, Massachusetts, a major manufacturer of the Bazooka during the war. Includes two canvas ammunition bags, three dummy rounds (one of the rounds has a few broken/absent tail fins), “The Bazooka” book by Gordon L. Rottman, spare trigger grip assembly, rocket launcher face mask and olive drab green canvas sling. CONDITION: Very fine as professionally reactivated, retains 85% applied green painted finish with some light flaking. Rewelded and repaired circular sections are visible on both tube sections from a previous deactivation. The ignition system is untested, and the optics are in fine order. 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 478. Estimate: 5,500 - 8,500