Priest M7B2

Total Bids Placed:

Condition

In need of full restoration but reasonably complete. The M7B2 has a gearbox and an incomplete engine. Some of the rubber on the tracks and wheels of the M7B2 has burned off. The M7B2 is a conversion from the WWII M7B1 built in 1944.

History

For the duration of the war, the workhorse of the motorized artillery units was a derivative of the most produced tracked platform in the US Army, the M4 Sherman tank. In 1941, US Army observers noticed that more firepower would be needed to support armored operations. Before experiments were made with the Sherman in 1944 with a 105 mm (4.13 in) howitzer in the turret, building SPGs was the easiest way to achieve this, as there were few constraints on the gun carried. The T19 half-tracks were developed for this task, but still lacked protection and off-road capabilities. Eventually, in 1941, the M3 Lee chassis was chosen, leading to a converted prototype, the T32.
The T32 was modified with an open-topped superstructure, mounting a 105 mm (4.13 in) howitzer. This standard M2 howitzer was just entering service when the Pacific War started, and proved to a be highly dependable piece of ordinance, being produced from 1941 to 1953 and used until the 1970s. Accuracy was good, and its HE rounds (105x372R) were noted for their excellent explosive power.
Due to the high transmission of the chassis, the floor was high and the superstructure tall, with flat armored walls to protect the open crew compartment Ammunition was stockpiled inside storage boxes and into the hull (24 rounds). During trials, it was apparent that defensive armament was needed, and provisions were made for an M2 Browning machine gun. This gave an excellent arc of fire, while the howitzer was placed offset to the right. This characteristic was noted by the British commission, which named the new vehicle “Priest”, due to the pulpit-like MG emplacement.
Charged to buy the new tank, they placed an order for 4400 to be delivered in 1943 (never achieved). The new vehicle was accepted for service in February 1942 as the 105 mm Self Propelled Gun, and production started immediately at the American Locomotive Company. It was joined in 1942 by Pressed Steel Car and later by Federal Machine and Welder.
The M7B1 was an upgraded version based on the M4A3 Sherman chassis and standardized in September 1943, 826 were built by Pressed Steel Car. They were characterized by their Ford GAA V-8 (450 hp) engine, new suspensions roadwheels and idlers, and side skirts, with many internal modifications.
The Priest saw action in North-Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, and the entire Western front up to Berlin and proved to be very reliable and successful. The Priest M7B1 saw first action in the battle of the Bulge. There the M7B1 proved to be very effective. Same for the campaign up to Berlin. For this reason, it was also frequently used in the post war period. In the ‘50s the M7B2 was widely used in the Korean war.

Technical

Manufacturer: Pressed Steel Car Company, Chicago / Hegewisch Station
Model: M7B2 Howitzer Motor Carriage (converted to B2 model 1962)
Manufacturing date: 1944 (M7B2 conversion postwar 1962)
Serial number: 117
Serial number gun: 14247
Length: 19 ft 9 in (6,02 m)
Width: 9 ft 5 in (2,87 m)
Height (top up): 9 ft 8 in (2,95 m)
Height (top down): n/a
Weight: 50,045 lb (22.700 kg)
Max. speed (land): 24,4 mph (39 km/h)
Max. speed (water): n/a
Operational range: 120 mph (193 km)
Main armament: 105 mm M2A1 howitzer
Secondary armament: 1x .50 M2 machine gun, note secondary armament not included
Engine: Ford GAA V8 cyl. gasoline, 525 hp
Crew: 4 (commander, gunner, loader, driver)
Armor: 2 in – 4,2 in (51 – 108 mm)
Production numbers: M7B2: 127 converted from the 826 M7B1.

Note to Buyers

LOCATION

• The location of any Lot is indicated with the specific lot number. Specific address details will be provided upon request and to the successful bidder / Buyer.

INSPECTION(S)/ VIEWING DAYS

• Viewing days are available for this lot:Switzerland: April 5 and April 13, Full-Reuenthal. Check the viewing day page for specific details and conditions.
• Given the fact that these are often very special items whose condition, no matter how hard we try, cannot always be described 100% completely, we really recommend that you make use of this.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Bidding Open: Friday April 19 2024 00:00 CET (Dutch American Friendship Day),
• Bidding Ends:
  • Saturday April 20 2024 (Part 1 vehicles)

TIMES

• Amsterdam NL (CET): 06:00 PM (18:00)
• London: 05:00 PM (17:00)
• New York USA: 12:00 AM (12:00)
• Sydney AUS: 04:00 AM (04:00),next day

BUYER’S PREMIUM

• On all lots a buyer’s premium of 16,5% of the hammer price is charged. Over this buyer’s premium a 21% sales tax (VAT) will be applicable.

PARTS, ACCESSOIRIES & MILITARIA

• The batches of spare parts, various accessories and militaria are sold in as-is condition and delivered without any guarantee of functioning.

VEHICLES & VEHICLE RELATED EQUIPMENT

• Cars, motorcycles, trucks, cannons or howitzers, armored vehicles, and tanks are sold in as-is condition, with no technical guarantee and guarantee of authenticity and with or without registration.

ARMS & WEAPONS

• The Auction House will not supply ANY item unless the correct paperwork and licensing – if needed – has been supplied by the Buyer in full.
• If required and applicable (fire)arms can be made inoperable or permanently disabled by BAIV in The Netherlands as being a licensed Arms & Weapons Dealer Registration Nr. NL20191618779. In this case all relevant cost will be charged to the Buyer in addition and have to be paid in advance in full. Collection by appointment only!

MARGIN/ VAT

• However, for most of the lots 21% sales tax (VAT) over the hammer price will be not applicable, it might be that in some specific cases sales tax (VAT) over the hammer price will be charged. In such a case this will be specifically specified in the lot description. For all other lots the margin scheme will be applicable. For more info see our General Conditions of Sale Article 9 on our website; www.tracksandtrade.com

COLLECTION

• Due to our participation in the commemorations of D-DAY in Normandy France collection of all lots is scheduled for the period June 17 till 28 2024. However, for buyers who want to participate with their purchased lot at the 80th Anniversary Commemorations in Normandy this can of course be deviated from. In such a case please let us know soonest.
  import and export
• Depending on the destination and content of the Lot the Buyer shall obtain an International Import Certificate / End User Certificate. Some of the items listed in the auction may require special licenses or permits or existing documents must be prepared for export. If this is relevant, Tracks & Trade will take care of this. The applicable costs will be charged to the successful bidder. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or concerns. No item will be allowed to be collected without 100% of all legal requirements being fulfilled.

DELIVERY

• Removal of lots must be completed by June 28 2024 after full payment and 100% coverage of all legal requirements. No storage fees will be applicable until that date.
• Shipping and packing costs and special costs that arise for loading special items, such as crane costs or costs for hiring special equipment etc., will be charged to the Buyer on the basis of actual costs + a surcharge of 10%. Naturally, you can count on us when it comes to the shipment of your purchases. We are happy to take care of that!

STORAGE

• Lots not picked up by Buyers before June 28 2024 will be returned to secure storage at Buyer’s expense. In this case storage fees will be applied as follows:
  • Parts & accessories: € 25,- / lot / week.
  • Cars and motorcycles: € 50,- / lot / week.
  • Armored vehicles, tanks, cannons etc. € 75,- / lot / week.
• Listed storage fees excluding 21% VAT.

NOTE

• If you have any specific questions, please contact us either by telephone (+31 6 518 22 502) or E-mail ([email protected]). We are happy to help and support you through the entire process. We will do our utmost to please and comfort you.
  So, don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!

GENERAL CONDITIONS

• All information and transactions are subject to the general terms and conditions (Version 2.0 dated 29-04-2022). For more detailed information visit our website.