Lot 1022

The Littlefield Collection

Mk 61 Ob 105 Au 50 (Self-Propelled 105-mm Howitzer Model 1950)

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$44,850 USD | Sold

United States | Portola Valley, California

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Addendum: PLEASE NOTE: This lot is being sold on Bill of Sale only

Weight: 18.1-tons (16,500-kg)

Length: 18' 8” (5.70-m)

Width: 8' 8” (2.65-m)

Height: 8' 10” (2.70-m)

Crew: 5

Armor:

.5” (13-mm) all around

Weapons:

-Primary

1x 105-mm howitzer TF Mle50

-Ammunition

54x 105-mm

Engine: SOFAM Model 8Gxb 8-cylinder, gasoline. 250-hp

Power/weight: 13.8-hp/ton

Fuel Capacity:

Range: 220-miles (350-km)

Speed: 37-mph (59-km/h)

The vehicle offered, Ob 105 Au 50, serial number 325, was built in 1958. Nothing is known of its service history. The interior and exterior of the vehicle are in good shape with most, if not all major components intact. It has not been restored and appears to still be in its original French colors. The engine runs well and sounds good. It starts up quite easily. It starts up quite easily and runs very well using fuel from its own gas tanks. All driver's controls function normally.

At the end of World War II, the French Army was entirely equipped with American built armored vehicles including M4 medium and M5 light tanks and M7 self-propelled 105-mm howitzers. With the war's ending their was a desire for the French Army to be equipped with domestically produced weaponry in order to become self-sufficient and to get French industry back on its feet.

In 1946, a requirement was put forth for an air-transportable tank. The AMX-13 as this tank was to be called, went into production in 1952. The AMX-13 then formed the basis for a new family of light armored vehicles including a self-propelled 105-mm howitzer. Formally known as the “Obusier de 105-mm automoteur, modele 1950” or Ob 105 Au 50 or the factory designation of Mk 61, the vehicle mounted a Model 1950 105-mm howitzer in a casemate located at the rear of the hull. Production began in 1953 with 429 being built when the line closed in 1958. 337 vehicle went to the French Army where it replaced the wartime M7 105-mm howitzer motor carriage. The balance of the order was used by the Dutch Army. Other users included Israel, who used them in the 1956 Suez War and the 1967 Six Day War and Morocco.

Transport Cost to Storage: $2,244