Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Yes, this genuine WW2 flamethrower is functional and legal in most locations within the United States without a license (no international sales). It is stored and will be shipped from NY state. Please be sure to check your State and local laws and regulations before purchase. While no license is required, in the interest of public safety, we will require on one of the following before buyer may take possession; FFL (Federal Firearms License), State pistol permit or an independent background check to be arranged by IMA.
A copy of the BATF letter declaring that this Word War II flamethrower is not a destructive device [nor firearm] as defined; therefore, the World War II flamethrower would not be subject to the provisions of the Gun Control Act of 1968. A copy of this letter can be found in this listing and will be included with purchase.
Also included with purchase are-
Complete M2-2 set with tanks, wand, filling hose, valves, etc
(everything as photographed)
2013 hydro report
Safety rules
BATF letter
Requirements for purchase-
Mandatory half day of safety and use training with internationally recognized flamethrower expert Charlie Hobson in in Johnson City, NY. Charlie can also travel for a small cost at the owner’s expense (please contact us for details). This training must occur before possession can be taken.
Release of liability and waiver form to be signed and notarized by buyer before possession can be taken.
One of the following; FFL (Federal Firearms License), State pistol permit or an independent third party background check to be arranged by IMA.
The M2 flamethrower was an American man-portable backpack flamethrower that was used in World War II. It was the successor to the M1 and M1A1 flamethrowers. The Flamethrower M2 was developed in 1944 to replace the M1 that was plagued with problems and it was in direct response to those problems that the M2 was made extremely reliable. The M2 became the standard flamethrower of WWII and continued in use until completely replaced by the M9-7 in the beginning of the Vietnam War. The M2 was modified to the M2A1-2 in 1953-4 to include: vented gas caps, safety valve on regulator and straight frame for standard canvas. Early in the Vietnam War, some M2A1’s were upgraded with M7 guns and the supplier of the pressure bottles changed to Liquidonics, Westbury, NY.
The technology in 1943 was not advanced for elastic lightweight metals and flamethrowers do have some maintenance problems. The largest killer of the M2 is rust; and this causes approximately three quarters of the units found today to burst when pressurized. It is extremely important to hydro, leak and volumetrically test all tanks and service all systems before pressurizing the flamethrower. Service of flamethrowers requires: experience, strict following of procedures documented in the US Army Service Manuals and replacement of parts with NOS whenever possible. Units fired regularly must be inspected and tested yearly as per US Army specifications.
Although there is no log book with the exact history, parts and paint on this flamethrower it gives strong clues as to its amazing history. It is offered in excellent operating condition and shows the wear and tear of three wars and over thirty years of military service.
EC Brown of Rochester, NY manufactured this WWII M2-2 flamethrower in 1945 with the pressure bottle clearly dated January 1945 (1-45). By end of WWII most assault squads employed two flamethrowers with four operators.
The data plates on both the wand and tank group verify that the flamethrower was rebuilt in July 1955, after the Korean War. At that time some parts were replaced such as the regulator, a safety valve, backpack frame and canvas pad. The rebuild indicates the flamethrower was in service during the Korean War. The unit would have been hydro tested and any questionable parts replaced with new. The paint would have been touched up anywhere there was a paint chip or paint had become worn off.
There is a small hole drilled in the tank to discharge tube to hold the plug for the hose to wand. One shoulder strap is a post war replacement part. These repairs were conducted during the Vietnam War, so we can deduce that this flamethrower was in service at that time.
The stenciling on the pressure bottle indicates that the flamethrower was again rebuilt to combat ready specification some time after Vietnam and stored at North Cumberland Army Depot until flamethrowers were removed from service in 1985. Although the primary colors are WWII USMC, there are parts in Army Olive Drab indicating that the unit did not need a complete paint coat but only touch up and repairs with current colors.
This flamethrower was hydro tested, rebuilt and test fired in February 2013, by Charles Hobson, the author of The Illustrated Manual of Portable US Flamethrowers. A complete hydro report is included with this sale of this item.
The flamethrower shows the wear of three wars and needed several replacement parts and touch up paint. In addition to test firing the flamethrower has been fire by the USMC historical group at MAAM, WWII Weekend and private show. In November of 2014 it was selected by Mr. Hobson for a historical photo shoot of Naplam because of it excellent working condition. Mr. Hobson is the only person recognized by the military history system to test, rebuild and train people in the operation of WWII flamethrowers. He has trained over 400 operators using the 70 yr old army training system and safety rules he developed without any incidents.
Tanks Serial # NC2102, 10/54, Lot RNC570
Wand Serial # NC2508, 7/55, Lot RNC570
8 February 2013
Hydro Testing of Fuel Cells
Hydro testing was performed using original USGI test kit as per specifications in the USGI Manual TM3-1040-251-15 Test Set, Flamethrower . Flamethrowers that Mr. Hobson rebuilds are tested at 600 and fired at 250 psi for a safety factor of more than 2. The regulator is lowered from 380 psi to 250.
For testing, all of the original equipment was removed, including the hose coupling and threads that were cleaned. The tanks had been repaired at some time. Hydro testing is not just for static pressure at 600 psi but also includes addition of exact amounts of hydraulic fluid and measures elastic deformation. This flamethrower showed no deformation at any time so it has a great deal of useful life left.
This flamethrower has been restored with Mil Spec parts and fired several times without any problems. The flamethrower will last many more years if protected from rust, hydro tested periodically and properly maintained.
- This product is not available for shipping in US state(s): California, Colorado, New Jersey, North Carolina, and South Carolina
This product is not available for international shipping.
- Stored and shipped from NY State. Not available for export. Legal in most locations within the United States without a license. Please be sure to check your State and local laws and regulations before purchase. While no license is required, in the interest of public safety, we will require on one of the following before buyer may take possession; FFL (Federal Firearms License), State pistol permit or an independent background check to be arranged by IMA.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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