Lot 1579: Bulgarian RPG-7 Shoulder Fired Anti-Armor Launcher

First introduced in 1961, the RPG-7 and its descendants are one of the signature weapons of the Cold War, one of the most prolifically adopted and fielded infantry weapons in history, and the very first thing to pop into most folks minds if conversation turns to anti-armor weapons. An evolution of the shoulder-fired Panzerschreck and Bazooka of World War II fame, the RPG-7 brought many practical and functional upgrades to the designs. Most prominently, the rocket design moves the warhead outside the body of the launcher, allowing for a modestly sized launcher tube to be paired with nearly any size of warhead the designers could dream up, particularly very broad HEAT rounds for engaging enemy armor. An integral mounting rail provides a home for both conventional daylight optics and night vision hardware, while flip-up iron sights provide a ready backup in case of mechanical failure. Using a two-stage ignition system, a small booster charge would provide initial propulsion for the round, with the full rocket motor kicking in once the round was several meters away from the shooter; this combo gave a reduced backblast area, and shooters could open up in fighting positions with as little as 2 meters clearance between themselves and a barricade, allowing fire from unexpectedly tight areas like within urban structures. A straightforward and rugged weapon, the RPG-7 remains active to this day, integrating advancements like thermobaric warheads and dual-charge HEAT ammo into its repertoire in order to keep up with changing tactics and technology. Manufactured in Bulgaria, this RPG is constructed from black enamel finished steel with a set of wrap-around micarta heat shields and a pair of ribbed hardwood grips. The aforementioned folding iron sights are present, with the day optic clamped to the rail and a green canvas sling. Included is one inert training round with a spare inert training booster charge, a NPGO-7 optical trainer, assorted small parts, and a cased 1PN58 night vision scope.

Very fine overall, with about 85% of the original matte black finish, showing mild wear and handling marks overall. The grips show mild wear and paint loss on the bottom, with some minor dings. The day optic shows mild external wear, clear optics and a solid reticle, and the electronics on both scopes are untested. Appears to be in good order, but shootability not guaranteed. 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.