Original Item: Only one available. This example is totally inert and incapable of firing having been deactivated in accordance with guidelines provided by the ATF. A hole has been cut the same diameter as the bore, a pin permanently welded attached across the bore, and other mechanisms have been rendered inert.

NOT AVAILABLE FOR EXPORT. NOT AVAILABLE TO CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS.

In terms of recent military weapons that make impressive wall-hanger display pieces, Anti-Tank launchers definitely take the cake. They may not be as impressive as the tank itself, but they are also far more display friendly, and require far less maintenance, preparation, and so forth.

This is a great cold war era Swedish Carl Gustaf M2 84mm shoulder fired recoilless rifle, originally developed in the late 1940s as a crew-served man-portable infantry support gun. The design and various types of ammunition used made it suitable for close-range multi-role anti-armor, anti-personnel, battlefield illumination, smoke screening and marking fire. The design also has seen great export success around the globe and continues to be a popular multi-purpose support weapon in use by many nations.

At just 44 1/2 inches long Carl Gustaf 84 mm recoilless rifle is a lightweight, low-cost weapon that uses a wide range of ammunition, which makes it extremely flexible and suitable for a wide variety of roles. Unlike many similar weapon systems that are single use, this could be used repeatedly by the squad in a variety of uses.

There were several versions of the Carl Gustaf 84mm Recoilless Rifle released, and this is the M2 "Export", introduced in 1964 as an improved, lighter and slightly shorter version of the original M1 for the export market. It quickly replaced the original version, and was the version that really popularized the system during the Cold War Era. There are some markings in Hebrew near the rear blast nozzle, so we believe this example saw use in Israel.

As it is "recoilless", that does mean that anyone standing to the rear of it is in quite a bit of danger due to the back blast, as well as the pressure wave from firing. In general members of the squad were limited to a set number of firings per day due to the stress on the body, and this is probably why in Australia, it is irreverently known as "Charlie Gutsache" (guts ache, meaning stomach pain). Even those several meters to the side could still suffer the effects.

This is the first time that we have had one of these, and it looks to be in great shape, having been repainted following deactivation. The fold out front and rear sights on the left side are still present, as are both hand grips and the shoulder rest. The trigger is present but does not really move, nor does the safety. The rear nozzle also cannot be swung out into the loading position. These were often issued with a monopod, but this example no longer has it.

A great example of a very hard to find recoilless rifle, ready to display!

More on the Carl Gustaf Recoilless Rifle:
Development of the initial model started from 1946 as one of the many recoilless rifle designs of that era, based on the experience from the earlier Carl Gustaf 20 mm recoilless rifle and the success of man-portable rocket launchers during World War II, such as the bazooka and Panzerschreck. Production of the initial model was handled by Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori led by Försvarets Fabriksverk (FFV) and the weapon received the designation 8,4 cm granatgevär m/48, (8,4 cm grg m/48 – "8,4 cm grenade rifle", model 1948) in Swedish service. FFV would continue to further develop the weapon for the international market, later being merged into Saab Bofors Dynamics which handles development and export today. While similar weapons have generally disappeared from service, the Carl Gustaf is still in production and remains in widespread use today.