INERT DEACTIVATED. British WW2, PIAT (Projector Infantry Anti-tank) HEAT (High Explosive Anti Tank) Round & Fuze. - O 2252 INERT DEACTIVATED. British WW2, PIAT (Projector Infantry Anti-tank) HEAT (High Explosive Anti Tank) Round & Fuze. - O 2252 Other Ammunition

Tank) round. The round is complete with its original nose fuse. The PIAT was designed in response to the British Army's need for a more effective hand-held infantry anti-tank weapon. It consisted of a steel tube, a trigger mechanism and firing spring, and was based on the spigot mortar system and instead of using a propellant to directly fire a round; the spring was cocked and tightened. When the trigger was pulled, it released the spring that pushed the spigot forward into the rear of the bomb. This detonated the cartridge in the base of the bomb, was then thrown forward off the spigot and if lucky re cocked the weapon for firing again. The PIAT possessed an effective range of approximately 100 yards. This system meant that the PIAT had several advantages, which included a lack of muzzle smoke to reveal the position of the user, the ability to fire it from inside buildings. The PIAT entered service in 1943 and was first used during the Allied invasion of Sicily that year; it remained in use with British and Commonwealth forces until the early 1950s. The PIAT replaced the .303 Boys anti-tank rifle which was adopted in 1937 and soon proved itself unable to defeating heavy armour. As well as being used in the anti-tank role, the PIAT was an effective way of opening doors on buildings at a safer distance and the resulting explosion was usually enough to subdue opposition in the building. The round has its original hollow charge cone and booster charge. The top of the hollow charge has an alloy fuze retained by a bayonet fitting pressed steel collar. This projectile retains much of its original green painted finish with a blue band near the nose with a narrow yellow line above and below it. The price for this round includes UK delivery and no licence is required to possess this inert round in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. O 2252