Introduced in 1941, the Raketenpanzerbuchse (Rocket Armor Rifle, RPzB) series of weapons was developed by taking the American M1 "Bazooka" launcher from examples captured on the African and Eastern Fronts and enlarging the tube to handle an 88mm HEAT (High Explosive Anti-Tank) rocket, giving Nazi infantry enough firepower to deal with just about any armor the Allies could roll out. The 54 and 54/1 variants introduced the distinctive steel blast shield, which removed the need for the operator to wear a protective gas mask. This particular example is finished in a drab green with the underside stenciled "SA" in the pattern of Finland's martial inspection mark, suggesting this piece was among the hardware supplied by Germany to the Finns to press on the Continuation War against the Soviets. Overall length is 160cm (63 inches) with wood and steel grip sections, 15 1/2 inches tall and 12 1/2 inches wide blast shield marked "12" with a 3 inch square glass viewport (onboard spare lens included), piezoelectric ignition system and wire guide around the breech.

Very good with most of the field applied green paint finish showing mild flaking and wear and a brown patina on the exposed steel. The mounted glass in the blast shield is hazy and chipped with the spare in good condition. Not mechanically tested. NOTE: This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA) that is currently registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (BATF&E) that has been classified as a "Curios or Relic" as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478.