Categories
German

10.5 cm “Sabot” Type H. E. Shell

10.5 cm Sabot Type H. E. Shell

This new type projectile consists of an 8.8 cm streamlined shell body fitted with centering and rotating band rings which permit it to be fired from a 10.5 cm weapon. Both the centering ring and rotating band ring are so designed that they become detached from the shell body under the influence of centrifugal force on leaving the muzzle of the gun. The advantage of such a design, provided it functions properly, is that a lighter weight projectile of smaller diameter is fired from a 10.5 cm weapon instead of the normal 10.5 cm projectile. The effect is to give a higher muzzle velocity and longer range for the 8.8 cm streamlined shell body than would be obtained with the standard 10.5 cm high explosive projectile. However, the effectiveness is reduced due to lower weight of projectile.

One disadvantage of this type of shell lies in the possibility of injury to friendly troops when the centering rings and rotating band are cast from the projectile. The centrifugal force would make these pieces into dangerous missiles.

The complete weight of the projectile is 23 pounds. Projectiles examined have been filled with a high explosive charge, and fitted with a percussion type nose fuze (AZ 23v.). The 15 cm shell of similar design employs the same fuze. The explosive trains of these projectiles are similar to those for the usual type of German high explosive shell.

German: p. 311

Categories
German

7.92 mm M SS 41: Antitank Rifle

7.92 mm M SS 41: Antitank Rifle

This antitank weapon, a manually operated, magazine-fed, air-cooled, high-velocity rifle which was standardized for production in 1941, fires the same necked-down cartridge as the Panzerbüchse 39. Although classified as an antitank rifle, the use of heavier armor on modern tanks has rendered the weapon effective against lightly-armored vehicles only.

A hinged bipod similar to that of the MG 34 is attached to the front of the receiver jacket. It folds forward for convenience in carrying. The gun is also equipped With carrying handle and sling; the former is fitted to the top of the barrel group, and the latter is attached on the right side at the bipod and back plate assembly.

A “U” type rear sight and an adjustable front sight of the square block type fold to the rear when not in use.

The gun is put in a “Safe” position by pulling the barrel housing lock extension 1/4-inch to the rear so that its rear alignment mark is aligned with the mark “S” on the barrel housing lock. When in this position, the trigger cannot be pulled, nor can the action be opened. If the trigger is pulled while the action is not entirely closed, the gun will not fire. It is necessary to release the trigger and pull it again in order to release the sear. When the magazine is empty, the action is kept open by the protrusion of the magazine follower which stops the rearward movement of the barrel housing.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber       7.92 mm (.312 in.)
Weight (with empty magazine)29 3/4 lbs.
Length (overall)59 1/4 ins.
Sight radius30 15/16 ins.
Principle of operationManually operated
Feeding deviceMagazine
Capacity of feeding device6 rounds
Cooling systemAir
Ammunition types13 mm case necked down to 7.92 mm. Same as used in the PZ B39. See Page 211.)
Rate of fire
Type of sight“U” type rear sight; square block type front sight.
Weight of barrel (w/fittings)13 1/4 lbs.
Length of barrel43 3/8 ins.
Length of rifling
Rifling
     TwistR. H.
     Form
     No. of grooves4
     Depth of grooves
     Width of grooves
Muzzle velocity (estimated)3,540 f/s
Type of mountBipod

German: p. 210.1 (May 1, 1945)

Categories
German

3.7 cm Flak 43: Antiaircraft Gun

3.7 cm Flak 43: Antiaircraft Gun

The 3.7 cm Flak 43, a light, fully-automatic, gas-operated antiaircraft weapon, may be statically emplaced, transported on a mobile mounting, or mounted on a self-propelled chassis. The gun consists of a removable, monobloc barrel fitted with a muzzle brake with six elongated ports and multi-perforated flash eliminator, and a breech casing which houses the breech mechanism. The gun is fed horizontally from the left in clips of eight rounds from a fixed loading tray, and is operated by the recoil of the gun itself. A hydro-spring buffer with variable recoil is located below the barrel, and two return springs lie side by side above the barrel.

Mounting is of the pedestal type, the gun being hung from a single-ring type trunnion on the right. The feed to the gun is mounted through the ring and on the axis of the trunnion, making unnecessary any alteration in the position of the center of gravity of the gun and other elevating parts with variation in the quantity of ammunition in the clips and feed mechanism. Elevating and traversing handwheels are both on the right of the gun, the former being vertical and the latter horizontal.

The equipment, which is of low build, is fitted with a shield varying in thickness from 9 mm at the center to 6 mm at the outer edges. The shield slopes backward at a 30° angle and is 4.2 feet high. In the middle is a space through which the mantlet elevates and depresses. A twin version of the 3.7 cm Flak 43 also exists. It is known as the 3.7 cm Flakzwilling 43.

The weapon fires only the single rotating band projectiles.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber       37 mm (1.45 ins.)
Weight (traveling position)4,180 lbs.
Weight (firing position)2,750 lbs.
Length (traveling position)
Length (firing position)
Height (traveling position)
Height of trunnion29.9 ins.
Length of piece (excluding muzzle brake)9.68 ft.
Length of muzzle brake14.96 ins.
Length of bore7 ft.
No. of grooves20
Width of grooves
Depth of grooves
Width of lands
Muzzle velocity (HE shell)2,750 f/s
Max. range (horizontal)7,200 yds. (approx.)
Effective range (vertical)9,000 ft. (approx.)
Rate of fire (theoretical)250 rds./min.
     (practical)150 rds./min.
Traverse360°
Elevation90°
Depression-6°
Type of recoilVariable
AmmunitionAP/HE; H.E.; HE/T-HE/I/T;
HE/I and HE/I/short T

German: p. 130.2 (August 1, 1945)

Categories
German

10.5 cm Geb. H. 40: Mountain Howitzer

10.5 cm Geb. H. 40: Mountain Howitzer

The 10.5 cm Geb. H. 40, introduced into the German Army in 1942, is the companion piece to the 7.5 cm Geb. G. 36 described on page 118. Its design is basically the same as that of the 10.5 cm le. F. H. 18 (M). The weapon can be split into nine loads for transport.

The barrel, of monobloc construction, is fitted with a double baffle muzzle brake with wide side flanges; the breech mechanism is of the horizontal sliding block type. A hydraulic buffer is built into the cradle on which the barrel slides in recoil, and a hydro-pneumatic recuperator is mounted above the barrel.

The split trail carriage has trails of riveted box construction which are fitted with large detachable spades. It is mounted on wheels of cast light alloy with detachable rims and solid rubber tires. The wheels are mounted on stub axles fitted to the trail legs and remain parallel to the legs when they are opened. Internal expanding brakes, adjusted by a handwheel from the front, are fitted to both wheels. The traversing and elevating handwheels are located on the left and right sides of the carriage respectively.

There are two range drum scales: one in mils ranging from 0 to 1,250; the other in meters ranging from 0 to 1,500 for hollow charge ammunition and from 1,500 to 9,675 for high explosive shells, both with charge 6 in the lower register.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber         105 mm (4.14 ins.)
Weight (traveling position)
Weight (firing position) 3,660 lb.
Length of piece 10 ft., 4 ins.
Length (firing position) 18 ft., 6 ins.
Height (traveling position)
Height (firing position) 4 ft., 11 ins.
Width (overall) 4 ft., 6 ins.
Width of trail spread
Length of bore 9 ft., 5 ins.
No. of grooves 32
Width of grooves
Depth of grooves
Width of lands
Muzzle velocity 1,870 f/s
Max. range (horizontal) 13,807 yds. (Chg. 7)
Max. range (vertical)
Rate of fire
Traverse 25°, 20′ left and right
Elevation 70°
Depression -4°, 47′
Length of recoil (variable) 19.7 ins. to 49.2 ins.
Ammunition 10.5 cm F.H. Gr. Al. (32 lb.)*
10.5 cm F.H. Gr. 38 Al.
10.5 cm F.H. Gr. Buntrauch (32 lb.)
10.5 cm 39 rot HL/A and HL/B (25.8 lb.)–Chg. 6 only.
10.5 cm 39 rot AL/C

*A star shell is also reported to be fired with Charge 6.

German: p. 108.2

Categories
German

Pz. Sp. Wg. II Luchs (Sd. Kfz. 123)—”Lynx”: Full-Tracked Armored Car

Pz. Sp. Wg. II Luchs (Sd. Kfz. 123) -- Lynx: Full-Tracked Armored Car

This vehicle, one model of which is shown above, is called an armored car by the Germans. Production began in 1941 and continued through 1943. Models VK 1201, VK 1202, and VK 1303 were manufactured by Maschienfabrik Augsburg-Nurnberg.

The box-shaped superstructure is built in with the hull chassis. The thickness of armor of the Lynx is 30 mm on the front of the turret and hull and 20 mm on the turret and hull sides. One gasoline tank located inside on the right holds 83 gallons.

Track guards are provided well over the sprockets and idlers only. The turret roof slopes down towards the front and terminates in a cylindrical shape. The engine compartment is at the rear. Old models had smoke projectors, three on each side which were electrically operated. New model 1303 has no such provision.

Throat microphones were used for intra-tank communication. Periscopes and an optical sighting device are provided in the turret.

The suspension consists of torsion bar straddle-mounted Christie type bogie wheels with center guide steel track, front drive sprocket and rear idler.

The first two models were equipped with Dreislufenlenkung, three-step clutch type steering, while Model VK 1303 has the same system as the Panther—Einradien-Lenkgetriebe, one radius steering. Evolution of this vehicle stems from development of the Pz. Kpfw. II, Models D and E. It is believed that this vehicle served its main purpose in perfecting one radius steering.

The transmission is synchromesh selective and adapts itself to the steering mechanism. There are seven speeds forward and one reverse; synchromesh cones are provided for all gear ratios except low and reverse.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight       12.9 tons
Length (overall)15 ft., 2 ins.
Width (overall)8 ft., 1 1/2 ins.
Height (overall)7 ft., 3 ins.
Ground clearance16 ins.
Tread centers6 ft., 10 ins.
Ground contact7 ft., 3 ins.
Width of track14 ins.
Pitch of track
Track links67
Fording depth4 ft., 7 ins.
Theoretical radius of action
     Roads155 miles
     Cross-country93 miles
Speed
     Roads50 m.p.h.
     Cross-Country25-30 m.p.h.
Armor
     Front30 mm
     Sides20 mm
ArmamentOne 2 cm Kw. K. 38 and one 7.92 mm M. G. 34
Ammunition (Rds.)400 (2 cm): 1.200 (M. G. 34)
Engine178 British B.H.P.
TransmissionSynchromesh, 7 speeds forward; 1 reverse
SteeringOne radius double drive epicyclic
Crew4

German: p. 8.1

Categories
Japanese

6.5 mm Sniper’s Rifle Model 97 (1937)

Japanese 6.5 mm Sniper's Rifle Model 97 (1937)

The Japanese 6.5 mm Sniper’s Rifle, Model 97, is a manually operated, bolt-action, air-cooled, shoulder weapon similar to the Model 38 (1905) 6.5 mm rifle except for its monopod, turned-down bolt handle, and telescopic sight. The telescopic sight is attached to the left hand side of the receiver by means of a dove-tailed base. It is a fixed focus type of 2.5 power and has a 10° field of vision.

The telescopic sight is approximately seven inches long and is equipped with an eyepiece of soft rubber. The reticle is marked in the following graduations: vertical from 0 to 15, horizontal 20 mils each side of the center, the markings being at 5 mil intervals. The horizontal line intersects the vertical scale at the 3 mark.

The telescopic sight is removable and when not in use is carried in a well constructed canvas case which has a heavy coating of lacquer on the outside for waterproofing. The case is fitted on the inside with a wooden spacer to secure the sight when it is inside. A small pocket to hold the sight cleaning brush is also constructed inside the case.

The rifle is also provided with a folding monopod which is pivoted on the lower band.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight (w/ telescopic sight)         10 lbs., 8 oz.
Length (overall w/o bayonet) 50.25 ins.
Sight radius 26.9 ins.
Principle of operation Manual, bolt-action
Feeding device Box magazine
Capacity of feeding device 5 rounds
Cooling system Air
Ammunition types Mod. 38, 6.5 mm ball and reduced charge ball
Rate of fire According to dexterity of user
Type of sight 2.5x telescopic sight
Weight of barrel
Length of barrel 31.4 ins.
Length of rifling 29.1 ins.
Rifling
Twist Uniform R.H. one turn in 7.88 ins.
Form Metford segmental
No. of grooves 4
Depth of grooves
Width of grooves
Chamber pressure
Muzzle velocity 2,400 ft. per sec.
Muzzle energy
Maximum range 2,600 yds.
Effective range (approx.) 600 yds.
Type of mount Folding monopod

Japanese: p. 208.1 (August 1, 1945)

Categories
Japanese

105 mm Field Gun Type 14

Japanese 105 mm Field Gun Type 14

The Japanese 105 mm gun, Type 14, is a medium field weapon mounted on a two-wheeled carriage and drawn by a prime mover. The tube, of built-up construction, is retracted above the trails when in traveling position to provide proper balance. A breechblock of the interrupted screw type is used.

The weapon has split trails which may be adjusted to equalize cant. The wheels are equipped with rubber or steel tires.

The recoil system is the variable, hydropneumatic floating piston type. The fluid passage to the other side of the two air cylinders is suitably interrupted when the elevation is increased.

The traversing mechanism consists of a worm and arc gear. The elevating mechanism is of the arc gear type. A spring equilibrator is attached to the gun, since the trunnion is retracted in relation to the tube. The sighting equipment consists of a panoramic sight and a drum type range scale.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber         105 mm (4.13 ins.)
Weight (traveling position)
Weight (firing position)
Length (traveling position)
Length (firing position)
Height (traveling position)
Height (firing position)
Width (overall)
Width of trail spread
Length of bore
No. of grooves
Width of grooves
Depth of grooves
Width of lands
Muzzle velocity 2,040 f/s
Max. range (horizontal) 16,500 yds.
Max. range (vertical)
Rate of fire 6-8 r.p.m.
Traverse 30°
Elevation 43°
Depression 5°
Length of recoil
Ammunition H.E. (long pointed), H.E., Shrapnel, Chemical, A.P.
Wt. of projectile (H.E.) 33 lbs.

German: p. 114.3 (August 1, 1945)

Categories
Japanese

81 mm Mortar Model 3

Japanese 81 mm Mortar Model 3

The Japanese 81 mm Mortar, Model 3, is a forerunner of the Model 97 (1937). It was manufactured at the Yokosuka Navy Arsenal in 1943.

The tube is a smooth-bore type and has two collars machined on the forward part for securing the bipod clamp. The bipod, constructed of light weight tubing, is very unstable. There is no cross leveling device, and rough cross leveling adjustments could be made by breaking the bipod support and moving the leg on the low side inward.

The base plate is relatively heavy, and is believed to be identical with that now used with the 90 mm Mortar, Model 94. It is interchangeable with the base plate for the Model 97.

Both traversing and elevating mechanisms employ the square type threads rather than the usual and more efficient buttress type as used on Model 97. No sight was recovered with the mortar.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight of tube        47 lbs.
Weight of bipod 25 lbs.
Weight of base plate 95 lbs.

Japanese: p. 122.1

Categories
German

27 mm Doppel Schuss: Double Barrel Signal Pistol

27 mm Doppel Schuss: Double Barrel Signal Pistol

The 27 mm double barrel signal pistol is unique in that the basic parts such as the trigger, trigger-guard, lever release, hammer assembly and switch lever, as well as all pins, are made of steel; the remaining parts, with the exception of the wooden forestock and hand grips, are made of an aluminum alloy.

The firing mechanism is of the continuous pull type incorporating concealed hammers. A switch lever is located on the top rear of the pistol frame to control the firing mechanism. By use of this lever, either one of the two barrels, or both, can be fired by action of the trigger. Turning the lever to the left allows only the left barrel to be fired; turning it to the right allows only the right barrel to be fired. With the lever in the center position, both barrels fire simultaneously. Breaking of the piece is accomplished by pushing forward the release lever which is located just forward of the trigger guard. Indicator pins located in the breech plate show whether the respective barrels are loaded. A safety lever is located on the left side of the receiver. The words “Feuer” and “Sicher” indicate the two positions of Fire and Safe.

Another model, a double barrel air force signal pistol of somewhat similar design, is pictured in the inset above.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         3 1/8 lbs.
Length 13 7/8 ins.
Ammunition types
Weight of barrel
Length of barrel 9 1/8 ins.
Rifling (smooth bore)
Muzzle energy
Maximum range

*Signal cartridge with single star–max. vertical range 260 ft.

German: p. 202.1 (May 1, 1945)

Categories
German

Kfz. 2 S: Amphibious Volkswagen

Kfz. 2 S: Amphibious Volkswagen Schwimmwagen

The basic construction of this vehicle is identical with that of the standard type 82 Volkswagen. Front wheel drive has been added to the ingenious positive lock differential rear drive already employed and removes all objections to its poor cross-country performance.

The steering assembly and the front wheel suspension are placed outside a watertight bulkhead.

A rubber sealed stuffing box is used for the front wheel drive shaft. In the rear the suspension is mounted outside the watertight hull. The only openings are for each drive shaft. These are entirely hooded by two bellows type rubber boots that sheath the axle allowing movement in all directions.

Shock absorbers are provided for each wheel. In the front they are mounted outside the hull. In the rear, a watertight shaft extends through the hull from shock absorber to wheel.

Normal grease seals on the rear axle keep water from seeping into the differential and transmission assemblies.

The transmission, transfer case and the positive locking differential comprise a unit assembly secured to the floor at its extreme rear end. A power takeoff has been added to the normal transmission to provide front wheel drive. A cross-country gear position is also provided. It is an extra low gear necessitating the normal transmission be kept in neutral position when used.

The clutch is a dry single disc foot operated type. The propeller assembly is mounted on a spring-loaded hinge that is positioned in the rear directly in line with the hand crank pulley. It incorporates a slip clutch to eliminate damage to the propeller blades by underwater obstructions. Engagement direct with the engine is made through a dog clutch sealed by a rubber bushing on the engine side.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight         2,040 lbs.
Loading capacity 960 lbs.
Length (overall–propeller down) 150 ins.
     (overall–propeller up) 140 ins.
Width (overall) 55 ins.
Height (overall to top of windshield) 57 ins.
     (overall less windshield) 38 ins.
Ground clearance 11.5 ins.
Tread centers 47 ins.
Wheelbase 78 ins.
Tire size 5.25 x16–one spare
Fuel tank 13 gallons, 70 octane
Fuel consumption (land) 20 m.p.g.
     (water) Unknown
Fording depth Unlimited
Speed (land) 46.5 m.p.h.
     (water) 7.5 m.p.h.
Engine 4 cyl. horizontally opposed, air-cooled
Horsepower 24.5 at 3,300 r.p.m.
Ignition Bosch, 6 volt coil
Battery 6 volt
Transmission 4 speeds forward, 1 reverse
Steering Normal–front wheels

German: p. 58.1