1943 17 pdr. SP Achilles
This smart-looking M10 Achilles tank destroyer was, four years ago, nothing more than a heavily damaged wreck from a Belgian military training ground. After an extensive restoration, the Achilles was fully rebuilt, featuring a powerful 17-pounder gun and meticulously equipped with all necessary and rare original components. By May 2024, the tank was fully operational and proudly participated in commemorative events in Normandy.
Location
Dottignies, Belgium
Year of construction
1943
Country of origin
United Kingdom
Manufacturer
Fisher Tank Arsenal Grand Blanc, Michigan, USA - converted by Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, UK
Type
17 Pounder, Self-Propelled, Achilles
Condition
Vey good condition
Starting bid
€ 45.000
Margin Goods
Yes margin goods;
No VAT applicable
Details
Conditions
Restoration of the M10 Achilles Tank Destroyer
After completing a seven-year restoration of a Sherman Firefly, the current owner sought a new restoration challenge within the same historical theme. He set his sights on restoring an M10 Achilles, a British-upgraded American tank destroyer equipped with the powerful 17-pounder gun, one of the most iconic anti-tank guns of World War II after the Firefly's modification.
Given the rarity and high cost of intact WWII vehicles, the owner acquired a severely damaged Achilles wreck from a Belgian army training ground in 2020. The wreck had been used as a live-fire target and exhibited extensive battle damage, including rocket impacts, penetrations, deformations, and general corrosion from decades of exposure.
The restoration process was monumental and methodical:
Initial Assessment and Dismantling: The Achilles was brought to his workshop, where initial cleaning revealed severe damage to the hull and suspension. Many bolts were broken and had to be removed using a 300-ton press. Bogies (suspension units) were destroyed, and the turret traverse system was shattered but largely complete — a rare stroke of luck.
Hull and Armor Restoration: The sides, front, and lower hull plates were badly perforated or warped. The owner and his team had to cut away the damaged sections and replace them with new steel plates matching the original thickness (20–40mm), including precise beveled cuts for correct fitting. Special attention was given to aligning structural components like the sprocket housings and turret raceway.
Turret and Gun Mount: The turret was heavily impacted and had to be rebuilt with newly fabricated steel panels. The gun mount was carefully restored to receive the 17-pounder. Missing parts like the gun elevation mechanism were recreated with the help of an ingenious retired machinist, even adapting parts from a Citroën 2CV differential for some of the gearing.
Engine and Mechanical Systems: The Achilles used twin GM 6046 two-stroke diesel engines. The owner rebuilt his 11th and 12th engines during the project, modifying them for improved performance with higher compression pistons and updated fuel injectors (newer, low-smoke N80 types). The ventilation system was redesigned for better reliability. Fuel tanks and radiators were also entirely fabricated using brass sheets and traditional soldering methods.
Interior Rebuilding: The interior was reconstructed almost entirely from scratch. This included manufacturing new ammunition racks, control panels, flooring, and storage compartments. Rare parts such as original driver and co-driver hatches were reverse-engineered based on examples loaned from Bastogne Barracks.
Finishing Touches: Seats were reupholstered in leather, gun counterweights were fabricated by embedding concrete inside steel casings, and surface defects from rust damage were corrected with epoxy filler before final painting. Replica 17-pounder shell casings were painstakingly sourced and refinished to accurately fill the ammunition racks.
The restoration was carried out with meticulous attention to historical authenticity, welding over 200 kg of stainless steel (309 alloy) to ensure strong bonds between old and new materials while controlling heat warping. The entire hull was carefully aligned using laser-calibrated jigs and reinforced with bracing during welding.
After four intense years, in May 2024, the M10 Achilles was fully operational. It made its debut at commemorative events in Normandy, standing proudly beside the restored Sherman Firefly, symbolizing the culmination of an extraordinary restoration adventure. Since then, the M10 Achilles has been a highlight at historical reenactments and military heritage gatherings.
Technical details
- Manufacturer
- Fisher Tank Arsenal Grand Blanc, Michigan, USA - converted by Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, UK
- Model
- M10 Achilles Tank Destroyer
- Manufacturing date
- 1943
- Serial number
- 6969
- Length (including gun)
- 23 ft 8 1⁄4 in (7,01 m)
- Length (excluding gun)
- 19 ft 7 in (5,97 m)
- Width
- 10 ft (3.05 m)
- Height
- 8 ft 2 in (2,57)
- Weight
- 65.000 lb (29.600 kg)
- Max. speed
- 32 mph (51 km/h)
- Operational range
- 186 mi (300 km)
- Main armament
- Ordnance QF 17-pounder (76.2 mm)
- Secondary armament
- armament .50 in (12.7 mm) Browning M2HB AA machine gun; .303 (7.62 mm) Bren light machine gun
- Engine
- twin GM 6046 two-stroke diesel engines; each 375 hp (276 kW)
- Crew
- 5 (commander, loader, gunner, loader's assistant, driver)
- Armor
- 0.3 to 2.3 in (9 to 57.2 mm)
- Production numbers
- 1.100
- Road registration
- No
- Permits & licences
- (Import/export) permits are required
History
The 17pdr SP Achilles (officially 17 pounder, Self-Propelled, Achilles) is a British variant of the American M10 tank destroyer armed with the British Ordnance QF 17-pounder high-velocity 76.2 mm (3-inch) anti-tank gun in place of the M10's considerably less powerful 3-inch (76.2 mm) Gun M7. A total of 1,100 M10s were converted to Achilles, making it the second most numerous armored fighting vehicle to carry the 17-pounder gun, behind the Sherman Firefly tank.
The name "Achilles" was officially a designation applied to both the 3-inch gun and 17-pounder versions (as Achilles I/II and Achilles Ic/IIc respectively) but was little used during the Second World War; at the time, the vehicle was called 17pdr M10, or 17pdr SP M10, or even occasionally, "Firefly". It has since become identified almost exclusively with the 17 pounder version.
Succes & Glory
The M10 Battery was replaced by a second Achilles Battery as more vehicles became available. Perhaps the most successful action of the Achilles was conducted by B troop, 245th Battery, 62nd Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery attached to the Canadian Royal Hamilton Light Infantry during Operation Charnwood to take the city of Caen. South of Buron, a counterattack by a mixed force of Panzer IV and Panther tanks of the 12th SS Panzer Regiment was defeated by Achilles and 17-pounder anti tank guns of 245th Battery, 62nd Anti-tank Regiment. Thirteen German tanks were destroyed in one of the most successful anti-tank engagements of the campaign, for the loss of four self-propelled guns and a further four damaged.
Note to buyer
LOT NUMBER
Each lot is assigned a specific lot number. This number is allocated one day before the lots are opened for bidding
Specific address details will be provided upon request and to the successful bidder/ Buyer.
VIEWING DAYS
Inspections during viewing days are on: Saturday June 21 2025. (The M36 Jackson 90mm Gun Motor Carriage can only be viewed on Sunday 22 June, 2025).
Participation in the viewing days is subject to specific 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
Auction catalogue online: May 1st 2025 19.00 (CET)
Bidding starts: Saturday June 21 2025 18.00 (CET)
Bidding ends: Saturday June 28 2025 19.00 (CET)
Times:
Amsterdam NL (CET): 07:00 PM (19:00)
London: 08:00 PM (18:00)
New York USA: 13:00 AM (13:00)
Sydney AUS: 05:00 AM (05:00),next day
BUYER’S PREMIUM
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VEHICLES & VEHICLE RELATED EQUIPMENT
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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.
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COLLECTION
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STORAGE
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
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Shipping Information
After buying a classic military vehicle or other items such as cannons, planes, howitzers and tanks, there are several steps you would typically need to take:
Legalities
In principle, no special permit is required for unarmored wheeled and tracked vehicles. In many cases, an export procedure that is comparable to that for exporting classic cars and motorcycles is sufficient. Military collectables older than 75 years and with a value over Euro 50k are often considered National Heritage. In such cases an export permit must be requested from the National Ministry of Culture of the exporting country. Tanks, howitzers and self-propelled or towed cannons often require specific permits that are highly dependent on the country of shipment and the country of destination. In such a case first ensure that you apply for the necessary permits, licenses, and other paperwork required to own and operate such an item in your jurisdiction. This may involve registering the item with the appropriate authorities and complying with any regulations regarding its ownership and use. In such a case it is advisable to contact us in advance because we have many decades of experience in the import and export of Classic Military Heritage. Based on this experience, we can generally quickly provide feedback on what applies to you. This is especially relevant because regulations in this regard change every now and then and sometimes, we also have to deal with export-restrictions. In short: if you want to be sure, contact us in time to avoid difficulties in a later stage.
Storage
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Maintenance and Restoration
Depending on the condition of your military collectable our partner BAIV can help you with maintenance and restoration work to ensure that it is safe and operational. This could involve relatively easy maintenance and repair, service till a Class-A restoration. In such a case please contact BAIV (link to BAIV website).
Training
If you intend to operate a vehicle then make sure you have manuals that describe how the operate vehicle. Nowadays there are numerous reprints available on the Internet that explain you in a playful way how to drive and operate your vehicle. This is often a team effort, which makes owning such a vehicle extra attractive. If required, you can also involve hiring a professional instructor or attending specialized training courses to learn how to drive and maintain it safely. In such a case, our partner BAIV can also support you.
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Enjoyment
Finally, once everything is in place, you can enjoy owning and, if permitted, operating your classic military vehicle, cannon or howitzer. Whether it's for display purposes or for participating in historical reenactments, owning such a great unit can be a unique and rewarding experience.
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