5 cm PaK 38
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| 5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 38 (L/60) | |
|---|---|
 PaK 38 |
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| Type | Anti-Tank Gun |
| Place of origin |  Nazi Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1940–1945 |
| Used by | Nazi Germany |
| Wars | Second World War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1938 |
| Manufacturer | Rheinmetall-Borsig |
| Produced | 1940– |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 830 kg (1,829.84 lb) |
| Length | 4.75 m (15.6 ft) |
| Barrel length | 60 calibers, 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Width | 1.85 m (6 ft 0.8 in) |
| Height | 1.05 m (3 ft 5.3 in) |
| Crew | 5 |
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| Shell | 5 cm Pzgr. 5 cm Pzgr.39 5 cm Pzgr.40 5 cm Pzgr.40/1 Sprgr. Pak 38 |
| Caliber | 50 mm (2.0 in) |
| Action | Semi-automatic |
| Breech | Horizontal sliding wedge |
| Carriage | Split-trail |
| Elevation | -8°–±27° |
| Traverse | 65° |
| Rate of fire | 13 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 550-1,130 m/s (−3,157 ft/s) |
| Feed system | Manual |
| Sights | Z.F. 3x8° |
The 5 cm PaK 38 (L/60) (5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 38 (L/60)) was a German anti-tank gun of 50 mm calibre. It was developed in 1938 by Rheinmetall-Borsig AG as a successor to the 37 mm PaK 36, and was in turn followed by the 75 mm PaK 40.
The PaK 38 was first used by the German forces during the Second World War in April 1941. When the Germans faced Soviet tanks in 1941 during Operation Barbarossa, the PaK 38 was one of the few early guns capable of effectively penetrating the 45 mm armor of the formidable T-34. Additionally, the gun was also equipped with Panzergranate 40 APCR shots featuring a tungsten core, in an attempt to penetrate the armor of the heavier KV-1 tank. Although it was replaced by more powerful weapons, it remained a potent and useful weapon and remained in service with the Wehrmacht until the end of the war.
[edit] References
- Gander, Terry and Chamberlain, Peter. Weapons of the Third Reich: An Encyclopedic Survey of All Small Arms, Artillery and Special Weapons of the German Land Forces 1939-1945. New York: Doubleday, 1979 ISBN 0-385-15090-3
- Hogg, Ian V. German Artillery of World War Two. 2nd corrected edition. Mechanicsville, PA: Stackpole Books, 1997 ISBN 1-85367-480-X
[edit] External links
- LemaireSoft's 50 mm Pak 38
- Intelligence report on PaK 38 at Lonesentry.com
- Armor penetration table at Panzerworld
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