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  • Auction Catalog #4094
  • Lot #445
Lot #444
Lot #446

Lot 445: Soviet LPO-50 Flamethrower Unit

Auction Location: Bedford, TX

Auction Date: May 2, 2025

Lot 445: Soviet LPO-50 Flamethrower Unit

Auction Location: Bedford, TX

Auction Date: May 2, 2025

Estimated Price: $5,500 - $8,500
Price Realized:
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Soviet LPO-50 Flamethrower Unit

Manufacturer: None
Model: None
Type: Other
Gauge:
Barrel:
Finish:
Grip:
Stock:
Item Views: 602
Item Interest: Active
Serial Number:
Catalog Page: 365
Class: Other
Description:

Developed in 1953, the LPO-50 was the Soviet Union's standard issue infantry flamethrower through the lion's share of the Cold War, as well as their final model of conventional flamethrower. Much like in the West, the Soviets retired their flamethrowers in favor of incendiary rockets, which gave greater range. Outside of the direct Soviet circle of influence, it was also produced by China and seen in the inventories of both North Vietnam and the Irish Republican Army. In design, the LPO-50 takes some notes from the preceding ROKS-2 and ROKS-3 units, with the flame wand unit designed with a rifle-like pistol grip, buttstock, and bipod to let them blend in better with their host unit and reduce the chance of getting singled out as a high value target by enemy marksmen. Mechanically, the LPO-50 takes a very different track than its predecessors and Western counterparts. Instead of using inert gas to propel incendiary material, the three individual tanks of the backpack unit each contain one "shot" worth of fuel and a tiny pyrotechnic cartridge. The trigger unit on the wand has a setting for each tank, plus a safe setting, and when pulled electrically fires the pyro cartridge in the selected tank as well as one of three igniter units at the muzzle, the former generating the pressure to drive out the fuel and the latter lighting it up. A battery (absent on this example) concealed in the buttstock powers both sets of igniter units, with a three-prong plug concealed behind the pistol grip and the electric wires running along the fuel hose. Once a tank is lit, it goes until it's gone; you buy the ticket, and you take the ride for approximately 2-3 seconds. The unit here consists of the wand, the backpack tank unit with shoulder straps and canvas/wire mesh back panel, and a set of liquid and electric connection lines. The wand is dated "1982", with a serial number of "C3304", and fitted with a canvas sing.

Rating Definition:

Fine. The wand unit retains about 70% of the original black finish, with some wear, dings and handling marks overall, and some heavier dents on the igniters. The tank unit retains 90% of the green paint finish, with similar wear. The tank interiors show significant rust/staining, but no holes or cuts. Mechanically untested.



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