This is a rare example of an original World War II German 75 mm Leichtes Infanteriegeschutz (Light Infantry Gun) 18. Developed in 1927 by Rheinmetall, these entered service with the German Army in 1934; considered to be one of the most recognizable German weapons that saw heavy use throughout World War II, with approximately 11,199 manufactured by the wars end, and only a handful of surviving examples left in existence today. Weighing in at 880 pounds with its wheeled carriage, this example is considered to be a mountain gun variant featuring an armored shield, for protection of a crew of five that would typically operate the gun, and the ability to be broken down and fitted into six to ten packs for transportation by foot. These were typically assigned at two to each mountain battalion. It is built similar to the U.S. Pack Howitzer, only much smaller and compact. It loads from the breech with capability of 15-20 rounds per minute with the right crew, and fires a thirteen pound 75 mm high explosive round, capable of direct and indirect fire with a maximum effective range of 3,870 yards. These were most notably used in the early German campaigns from Poland to Dunkirk in 1939-1940, where its small size and portability along with its crippling firepower proved effective in the terrains of Western Europe. This example is marked on the back of the breech with a German Waffenamt "WaA76" and factory code "fnh" of Boehmische Waffenfabrik, Strakonitz Plant of Prague, Czechoslovakia, indicating it was manufactured under German occupation some time after March of 1939. Includes two wooden clearing rods.

Fine, retains most its applied green painted finish with some scattered light flaking and wear. The gun tube and breech are all complete and fully functional, as well as the elevation and traversing mechanisms on the carriage. This German I.G. 18 light infantry mountain gun would make a fine addition to any World War II arms and armor collection. 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.