Gulf War 1991 ‘Bring Back’ — Iraqi Al-Nasirah / RPG-7 Pattern Rocket Launcher 40 bore Rocket Launcher

Gulf War 1991 ‘Bring Back’ — Iraqi Al-Nasirah / RPG-7 Pattern Rocket Launcher, State Ordnance Factory Al-Nasirah — Serial No. B207

Description

An Iraqi-manufactured Al-Nasirah variant of the Soviet RPG-7V rocket-propelled grenade launcher, produced at the State Ordnance Factory, Al-Nasirah Facility, Iraq. The weapon is identified as an RPG-7 pattern launcher, with 40 mm barrel identification, and is serial numbered B207.

The launcher bears British military processing and identification markings associated with 221 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Squadron, Royal Engineers (RE), including the UIN A0205A, an ATO inspection marking, FFE (Free From Explosives), and the marking 7891. The 7891 marking is interpreted as 7 August 1991, corresponding with the recorded British military EOD processing and field-certification date.

The combination of the Iraqi manufacture, Al-Nasirah identification, B207 serial number, A0205A British military unit identification, 7891 processing/date marking, FFE certification and ATO inspection marking provides a particularly strong historical record of the weapon's subsequent British military handling following the 1991 Gulf War.

Following its British military processing, the weapon subsequently formed part of the collection retained within the British Army armoury at Tidworth, Wiltshire. The serial number B207 should be cross-referenced against the surviving 1 RHA armoury inventory records.

The available provenance attributes the launcher to Iraqi military production and to capture and processing by 221 EOD Squadron, RE, following the 1991 Gulf War. It was certified Free From Explosives on 7 August 1991 and was subsequently retained for British military Technical Intelligence and threat-handling training. The specific circumstances of capture and its individual operational history prior to British EOD processing remain historical attributions requiring independent documentary confirmation.

A letter of transfer was subsequently executed, transferring the weapon to a serving officer following its deactivation in 2015.

The launcher was deactivated in 2015 by Chris Goodwin of C&G Firearms Ltd and examined by the London Proof House, receiving deactivation certificate DA 54680. Following subsequent changes to the applicable deactivation requirements, the launcher was submitted for further examination in 2026 certificate no. 1119.

Provenance documentation includes:

• Copy of letter of transfer to serving officer, recording the 2015 transfer.

• Copy of 2015 deactivation certificate DA 54680.

• Original 2026 deactivation/proof certificate no. 1119.

• Surviving provenance information relating to its retention within the 1 RHA armoury collection.

Provenance: Iraqi manufacture, State Ordnance Factory Al-Nasirah → British military custody and EOD processing, 221 EOD Squadron, RE, following the Gulf War → 1 RHA Armoury, Tidworth → transfer to serving officer, 2015 → continuously retained in the same private collection.