Originally developed to serve as a main gun for a light tank, the Tankbusche 41 (Tank Rifle, Model of 1941) was patterned after earlier Swiss weapons, particular the 1925 light machine gun, with a toggle lock recoil assembly and a magazine feed. As testing continued, it was determined suitable for infantry use, and could be deployed in the field with a combination field mount and wheeled carriage that could be towed by horses or vehicles or repositioned by just the crew. Like many Swiss weapons of the era, the TB41 was not called upon to be fired in anger, but played a part in the overall Swiss strategy of heavily armed neutrality, and post-war many were kept in service as fortification weapons; while rendered obsolete as a tank/anti-tank gun by advancements in armor and the introduction of shaped-charge warheads, it was still suitable for use against light-skinned vehicles. Very few are known to be in the United States; notes from the consignor suggest three total are here Stateside. When configured for infantry use, the magazine feeds in from the right side and a drift adjustable front sight, tangent rear sight, and scope mounting block are positioned on top, with a multi-piece cylindrical muzzle device, detachable barrel, Bern marking and "Swiss cross in shield" on the right side of the receiver, and a set of folding pistol grips. The gun is installed in a multi-function carriage, and comes with eight magazines (seven compatible with the TB41, one for a different weapon). Reportedly this is one of three Model TB41s in the United States. Provenance: The Estate of Robert S. Eddy III