BACKGROUND: Development of an effective, personal, anti-tank weapon was started, at the request of the Heereswaffenamt, (Army Ordnance Office), by the Hugo Schneider Aktiengesellschaft-Metalwarenfabrik firm of Leipzig in November 1942. Originally an employee of the Schneider firm, Dr. H. Langweiler, developed the Faustpatrone 1, (Fist Cartridge 1), nicknamed "Gretchen", followed by the "Faustpatrone 2", also referred to as the "Panzerfaust 30", (Armored Fist 30). In July 1943 the Faustpatrone 1 was field tested and the first five thousand Faustpatrone 1's were issued to personnel in the field in August that year. In May 1944 the Faustpatrone 1 was re-designated, Panzerfaust Klein 30. The Panzerfaust 30, had an initial velocity of thirty metres per second and was capable of penetrating roughly one hundred forty millimetres of armor at an effective range of thirty metres. Both of these weapons were found to have insufficient penetrating power so further developments lead to the introduction of the longer range, higher velocity, Panzerfaust 60 in August 1944 and the Panzerfaust 100 in November 1944. Further models, Panzerfaust 150 and 200, were in development when the war ended. Of all the Panzerfaust models the Panzerfaust 60's were the most effective and by October 1944, roughly 400,000 Panzerfaust 60's were being produced and issued on monthly basis. All models of panzerfaust were basically of the same design and consisted of assorted sized, sheet metal, hollow charged, tapered warheads, with stabilizing tail fins, which was inserted into a steel firing tube. Of Note: Interestingly the main manufacturer of the panzerfaust firing tubes was the Volkswagen-Werke at Fallersleben by Wolfsburg in Lower Saxony. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION: The Panzerfaust Klein 30 consists of a magnetic sheet metal, hollow charged, tapered warhead. One of the four original tail fins remain. The warhead's tail piece is inserted into heavy, tooled steel firing tube. The firing tube has a brazed on, hinged, foldable, sheet metal, sight with a cut-out, hour glass shaped aiming port and a cylindrical trigger device with an internal spring and a red firing button. The unique design of the sight and trigger device also acts as a safety as the panzerfaust can not be activated when the sight is in the folded down position. Shows heavy wear and age. Nice partial decal to the head.

Please note, due to Postal Regulations. De-activated firearms and Inert Ordnance may not be shipped outside of Canada.