The Abbotsford Police Department (APD) has become the recipient of a unique estate item.
An M72 rocket launcher, circa 1970s, was turned in to the department on Tuesday by the family of a man who had died. He had been a collector of guns and military memorabilia.
It’s the first such weapon that the APD has had in its possession, and it poses no danger.
“It’s still operational, but it didn’t come with any rockets,” said APD spokesman Const. Ian MacDonald.
He said the family also turned in the man’s gun collection. It’s not uncommon for family members to want to rid themselves of such collections after the death of a loved one, he added.
“What they traditionally tend to do is sell the items or bring them to the police department for disposal.”
MacDonald said the APD is now considering whether to destroy the rocket launcher or to use it for educational presentations or displays.
“People are always interested to know what police end up seizing or have turned in to them.”
The M72 rocket launcher was designed in the U.S. and was introduced in the 1960s as a light anti-tank weapon.
A loaded M72 was found last October by a BC Hydro crew clearing brush under transmission lines in an area north of Victoria. A Canadian Forces ordnance disposal unit was called to retrieve the weapon.