Weight: 32.5-tons (33,021-kg)

Length: 20' 8” (6.27-m)

Width: 9' 10” (3.00-m)

Height: 9' 8” .(2.95-m)

Crew: 5

Armor:

Hull front: 2.5” (63-mm)

Turret front: 3” (76-mm)

Weapons:

-Primary

1x 105-mm Howitzer M4

-Secondary

1x .50-cal M2HB Machine Gun

2x .30-cal M1919A4 Machine Guns

-Ammunition

66x 105-mm

600x .50-cal

4,000x .30-cal

Engine: 8-cylinder Ford GAA, 500-hp

Power/weight: 13.7-hp/ton

Fuel Capacity: 168-USG (635-l)

Range: 100-miles (160-km)

Speed: 26-mph (35-km/h)

The tank being offered, M4A3(105) HVSS Sherman, serial number 74247, was built in April 1945 at the Chrysler Defense Arsenal. The exterior has been painted in post-World War II USMC markings, while the interior was painted white. The previous owner had initiated restoration, but it was never completed. It is missing the turret basket and many other turret components. It is also missing all ammunition bins and various other internal fittings. The instrument panel appears to be new. The engine runs well, while all suspension components are in excellent shape. It was driven as recently as December 2013.

When initially designed, the Sherman had a 105-mm howitzer included as an alternate main armament. In late November 1942, a pair of M4A4's were equipped with pilot 105-mm howitzer mounts for testing. Designated M4A4E1, these vehicles were tested and modified through early 1943. The mount consisted of a 105-mm howitzer M2A1 and a .30-caliber M1919A4 machine gun in combination mount T70. Testing showed that the loader had difficulty with operating the breech block due to its location inside the turret. The turret itself was unbalanced and prevented the power traverse from working properly when on a 30-percent or greater slope.

Upon approval of modifications made as a result of the testing, two new pilot tanks incorporating various modifications were authorized in February 1943. A redesigned howitzer, designated the T8 was installed. With a redesign of the howitzer, a new combination gun mount, M52, was developed for it. It allowed a greater range of elevation for the howitzer and improved the balance of the weapon in the turret.

The new 105-mm howitzer armed tanks were designated M4(105) when built on the Continental powered M4 and M4A3(105) when built on the Ford powered M4A3. Production of the M4A3(105) began at the Detroit Tank Arsenal in March 1944. 3,039 were produced by June 1945. M4A3(105)'s first saw combat in Europe in December 1944/January 1945. The HVSS equipped types arrive in the Spring of 1945 and saw limited action. Post-war, they equipped United States Marine Corps units and saw heavy action in the Korean War. Many of them were equipped with bulldozer blades. Others were equipped with a flamethrower in place of the co-axial machine gun.

Transport Cost to Storage: $3,960