This is a rare example of an original World War II German Raketenpanzerbuchse (Rocket Anti-Armor Rifle) RPzB Model 54 or typically called a Panzerschreck (Tank Terror). These were introduced in 1941 as the Model 41, inspired by the U.S. M1 "Bazooka" launcher. The Model 54 variant shown here introduced the distinctive steel blast shield, which eliminated the need for the operator to wear any protective clothing or gas mask. These fired an 88mm high explosive shape charge that could penetrate approximately 210 mm of armour steel plate (approximately 8 1/4 inches). This weapon could easily destroy a Sherman or Soviet Russian T34, which typically had only approximately 3-3.5 inches of armour plate at the thickest areas! It had an effective range of approximately 150 meters under ideal conditions. This example is finished in olive drab green paint. The overall length is approximately 1610mm (63 inches) with wood and steel grip section with a 15.5 X 12.5 inch wide blast shield marked with a 2 inch square glass viewing window. It still retains its piezoelectric ignition system and wire guide around the rear breech end of the tube. Boxed "SA" Finnish property marks are painted in black on the tube and blast shield. In the quest to defeat Soviet Russia, Germany provided a quantity of Panzerschreck launchers to Finland towards the end of the Continuation War in 1944, which were used to great effect against the invading Soviets and their T-34 tanks. Includes two extra glass sight squares located in a flipdown compartment attached to the back of the blast shield. Provenance: