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{{Infobox Weapon
{{Infobox weapon
|name=7.5 cm Pak 41
|name=7.5 cm Pak 41
| image=75 mm PaK 41fort nelson2010.JPG
|image=
| image_size = 300
|caption=
|caption=A preserved 7.5 cm PaK 41
|origin={{flag|Nazi Germany}}
|origin=Nazi Germany
|type=[[Anti-tank gun]]
|type=[[Anti-tank gun]]
<!-- Type selection -->
<!-- Type selection -->
|is_ranged=yes
|is_ranged=yes
|is_artillery=yes
|is_artillery=yes
<!-- Service history -->
<!-- Service history -->
|service=
|service=
|used_by={{flag|Nazi Germany}}
|used_by=Nazi Germany
|wars=[[World War II]]
|wars=[[World War II]]
<!-- Production history -->
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=[[Krupp]], Essen
|designer=[[Krupp]], Essen
|design_date=
|design_date=
|manufacturer=
|manufacturer=
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<!-- General specifications -->
<!-- General specifications -->
|spec_label=
|spec_label=
|weight=1,356 kg (2,990 lbs)
|weight=1,390 kg (3,064 lbs)
|length={{convert|4.32|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|length={{convert|4.325|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|part_length={{convert|2.95|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|part_length={{convert|2.95|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|width=
|width=
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|diameter=
|diameter=
|crew=5
|crew=5
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
|cartridge=[[Glossary of British ordnance terms#Fixed QF|Fixed QF]] 75×543 mm R
|cartridge=75×543 mm R<br>Penetrator weight: {{convert|2.5|kg|lboz|abbr=on}}
|cartridge_weight={{convert|2.5|kg|lboz|abbr=on}}
Armour penetration: 171 mm (6.73 in) at 455 m (500 yards)
|caliber=75 mm (2.95 in) reducing to 55 mm (2.16 in); 57 caliber length
|caliber=75 mm (2.95 in) reducing to 55 mm (2.16 in); 57 caliber length
|barrels=
|barrels=
|action=
|action=
|rate=
|rate=
|velocity=AP 1,230 m/s (4,035 ft/s)
|velocity=AP 1,230 m/s (4,035 ft/s)
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|breech=
|breech=
|recoil=
|recoil=
|carriage=[[Gun carriage#Modern gun carriages|Split-trail]]
|carriage=
|elevation=–12.5° to +16°
|elevation=–12.5° to +16°
|traverse=60°
|traverse=60°
}}
}}


⚫
The '''7.5&nbsp;cm Pak 41''' was one of the last [[Nazi Germany|German]] [[anti-tank guns]] brought into service and used in [[World War II]] and notable for being one of the largest anti-tank guns to rely on the [[Squeeze bore|Gerlich principle]] (pioneered by the German gun-designer [[Hermann Gerlich]], who developed the principle in the 1920s, reportedly for a [[hunting rifle]]) to deliver a higher muzzle velocity and therefore greater penetration in relation to its size.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=7OEDAAAAMBAJ&dq=Popular+Science+1933+plane+%22Popular+Mechanics%22&pg=PA208 "Mile-A-Second Rifle Bullet Is Squeezed In Firing"] ''Popular Mechanics'', August 1933</ref>
[[File:75 mm PaK 41fort nelson2010.JPG|thumb|300px||right|A preserved 7.5 cm PaK 41]]
⚫
The '''PaK 41''' was one of the last [[Nazi Germany|German]] [[anti-tank guns]] brought into service and used in [[World War II]]. It was built on the [[squeeze bore]] principle (Gerlich in German, from the German gun-designer Hermann Gerlich who developed the principle in the 1920s, reportedly for a [[hunting rifle]]) to deliver a higher muzzle velocity and therefore greater penetration in relation to its size.<ref> [http://books.google.com/books?id=7OEDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA208&dq=Popular+Science+1933+plane+%22Popular+Mechanics%22&hl=en&ei=v_wHTomlB6H30gG6tLzMCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&sqi=2&ved=0CD4Q6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q&f=true "Mile-A-Second Rifle Bullet Is Squeezed In Firing"] ''Popular Mechanics'', August 1933</ref>


It is similar to, but distinct from, the [[Waffe 0725]], which, while also based on the Gerlich principle, had a different barrel calibre.<ref name="waffe">{{cite web |url=http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=23571|title= Question about the waffe 0725|last1= daveh|date= 2 June 2003|website= Axis History Forum|access-date= 25 Oct 2015|quote="Given the standards of research of T Jentz ... It would appear that the waffe 0725 is a different weapon to the Pak 41."}}</ref>
⚫
==Design and development ==
⚫
Designed and built by [[Krupp]] AG to compete with the [[Rheinmetall]] [[7.5 cm Pak 40]], the Pak 41 was intended from the onset to take advantage of the Gerlich principle to increase shot velocity and made use of several novel features. One feature was that the barrel was split into three distinct sections: the rear part was parallel-sided and conventionally [[rifled]]; the central part was unrifled and tapered down; at the [[Muzzle (firearms)|muzzle]] end, the last {{convert|27.6|in|mm}} it was parallel-sided again but remained unrifled.


⚫
==Design and development ==
Another novel feature was the attachment of the split trail legs and solid rubber tires directly to the gun shield to save weight. The gun cradle was set inside a spherical universal joint mounted to the gun shield. The cradle was cylindrical, covering the whole of the rear half of the barrel.
⚫
Designed and built by [[Krupp]] AG to compete with the [[Rheinmetall]] [[7.5 cm Pak 40]], the Pak 41 was intended from the onset to take advantage of the Gerlich principle to increase shot velocity. In addition to its [[squeeze bore]] design and the use of a tungsten core flanged shell, the Pak 41 incorporated several novel features. One feature was that the barrel was split into three distinct sections: the rear part was parallel-sided and conventionally [[rifled]]; the central part was unrifled and tapered down; at the [[Muzzle (firearms)|muzzle]] end, the last {{convert|27.6|in|mm}} was parallel-sided again but remained unrifled. Another novel feature was the attachment of the [[Gun carriage#Modern gun carriages|split trail]] legs and solid rubber tires directly to the [[Gun shield]] to save weight. The gun cradle was set inside a special ball mount attached to the [[Gun shield]]. The cradle itself was cylindrical, covering the whole of the rear half of the barrel.


The weight of the powder charge fired is 95 percent of the weight of the projectile. With an estimated velocity of approximately 1200&nbsp;m/s (4,000 f/s), and a penetration of 15&nbsp;cm (5.94&nbsp;inches) of [[homogeneous armor]] at 900 m (1,000 yards.)
The weight of the powder charge fired is 95 percent of the weight of the projectile, which had an estimated velocity of approximately 1200&nbsp;m/s (4,000 f/s), and a penetration of 15&nbsp;cm (5.94&nbsp;inches) of [[homogeneous armor]] at 900 m (1,000 yards).
The reinforced [[Breech-loading weapon|breech]] is of the vertical wedge type, with a [[Semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]] action. Compared to the [[5 cm PaK 38|PaK 38]] and the [[7.5 cm PaK 40|PaK 40]], the appearance was long, low, and sturdy.
The reinforced [[Breech-loading weapon|breech]] is of the vertical wedge type, with a [[Semi-automatic firearm|semi-automatic]] action. Compared to the [[5 cm PaK 38|PaK 38]] and the [[7.5 cm PaK 40|PaK 40]], the appearance was long, low, and sturdy.


Line 63: Line 63:


==Service ==
==Service ==
When first introduced, the 7.5&nbsp;cm Pak 41's performance would seem to indicate that it might supplant the Pak 40 as the standard issue anti-tank gun for the [[Wehrmacht]]. However, the emergent shell's velocity tended to drop dramatically over long range and accuracy and penetration suffered as a consequence. This factor, along with a growing shortage of tungsten, which was needed for the gun's special ammunition, would ensure that only 150 Pak 41's would ever be produced. Most Pak 41's were scrapped when their barrels had worn out and / or their ammunition supply was exhausted, although it is believed that a small number of Pak 41's were converted to accept 7.5&nbsp;cm Pak 40 barrels and components.
The PaK 41 was the third of the [[squeeze bore|tapered bore]] weapons introduced by Germany. The German forces were not able to exploit its phenomenal effectiveness against tanks because of a critical shortage of tungsten. Tungsten was both needed for metal working tools and for armour piercing projectiles that impacted at significantly more than 1000&nbsp;m/s. Steel alloys shatter at such high impact velocities and were not able to replace tungsten projectiles.
There was thus no raw material available for large-scale ammunition production for this gun.


A small number were known to have been mounted on halftracks and used as lightly armored tank destroyers.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}
A small number were known to have been mounted on halftracks and used as lightly armored tank destroyers.{{Citation needed|date=April 2011}}

==Ammunition==
===Pzgr 41 (HK)===
[[File:APBCT.jpg|thumbnail|right|{{center| German 7,5 cm Pak 41 APCNR Shot}}]]
An [[Armor-piercing ammunition#APCNR|armour-piercing, composite, non-rigid]] projectile with a sub-calibre [[tungsten]] core and tracer.
* '''Weight of projectile''': 2.6&nbsp;kg
* '''Muzzle velocity''': 1230&nbsp;m/s

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"
|-
!Range||Penetration<br> at 30 degrees from vertical <ref name="nachrichtenblatt">Nachrichtenblatt zur Panzerbeschusstafel 7,5 cm Pak 41 L/74.5* dated Nov. 1942</ref>
|-
|100 m || 198&nbsp;mm
|-
|500 m || 172&nbsp;mm
|-
|1000 m || 140&nbsp;mm
|-
|1500 m || n/a
|}

===Pzgr 41 (W) - APCNR===
An [[Armor-piercing ammunition#APCNR|armour-piercing, non-rigid]] projectile with tracer for practice only.
* '''Weight of projectile''': 2.5&nbsp;kg
* '''Muzzle velocity''': 1230&nbsp;m/s

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;"
|-
!Range||Penetration<br> at 30 degrees from vertical <ref name="nachrichtenblatt"/>
|-
|100 m || 97&nbsp;mm
|-
|500 m || 80&nbsp;mm
|-
|1000 m || 70&nbsp;mm
|-
|1500 m || 60&nbsp;mm
|}


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Littlejohn adaptor]]
* [[Littlejohn adaptor]]
* [[4.2 cm Pak 41]]


== References ==
== References and sources==
;Notes

⚫
* 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
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

;Sources
⚫
* 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}}


{{WWIIGermanGuns}}
{{WWIIGermanGuns}}
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==External links==
==External links==
* http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/ttt/75mm-tapered-bore-antitank-pak-41.html
* http://www.lonesentry.com/articles/ttt/75mm-tapered-bore-antitank-pak-41.html
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}


[[Category:World War II German anti-tank guns]]
[[Category:World War II anti-tank guns of Germany]]
[[Category:75 mm artillery]]
[[Category:75 mm artillery]]
[[Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1941]]

[[de:7,5-cm-PaK 41]]
[[hu:7,5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 41]]
[[ja:7.5 cm Pak 41]]
[[pl:7,5 cm PaK 41]]
[[tr:7,5 cm PaK 41]]

Latest revision as of 17:34, 16 March 2023

7.5 cm Pak 41
A preserved 7.5 cm PaK 41
TypeAnti-tank gun
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
Used byNazi Germany
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerKrupp, Essen
Produced1941-1943
No. built150
Specifications
Mass1,390 kg (3,064 lbs)
Length4.325 m (14 ft 2.3 in)
Barrel length2.95 m (9 ft 8 in)
Crew5
ShellFixed QF 75×543 mm R
Shell weight2.5 kg (5 lb 8 oz)
Caliber75 mm (2.95 in) reducing to 55 mm (2.16 in); 57 caliber length
CarriageSplit-trail
Elevation–12.5° to +16°
Traverse60°
Muzzle velocityAP 1,230 m/s (4,035 ft/s)
Effective firing range2,000 m (2,185 yds)
Feed systemsingle shot, breech loading
Sightssighted up to 1500 m

The 7.5 cm Pak 41 was one of the last German anti-tank guns brought into service and used in World War II and notable for being one of the largest anti-tank guns to rely on the Gerlich principle (pioneered by the German gun-designer Hermann Gerlich, who developed the principle in the 1920s, reportedly for a hunting rifle) to deliver a higher muzzle velocity and therefore greater penetration in relation to its size.[1]

It is similar to, but distinct from, the Waffe 0725, which, while also based on the Gerlich principle, had a different barrel calibre.[2]

Design and development

[edit]

Designed and built by Krupp AG to compete with the Rheinmetall 7.5 cm Pak 40, the Pak 41 was intended from the onset to take advantage of the Gerlich principle to increase shot velocity. In addition to its squeeze bore design and the use of a tungsten core flanged shell, the Pak 41 incorporated several novel features. One feature was that the barrel was split into three distinct sections: the rear part was parallel-sided and conventionally rifled; the central part was unrifled and tapered down; at the muzzle end, the last 27.6 inches (700 mm) was parallel-sided again but remained unrifled. Another novel feature was the attachment of the split trail legs and solid rubber tires directly to the Gun shield to save weight. The gun cradle was set inside a special ball mount attached to the Gun shield. The cradle itself was cylindrical, covering the whole of the rear half of the barrel.

The weight of the powder charge fired is 95 percent of the weight of the projectile, which had an estimated velocity of approximately 1200 m/s (4,000 f/s), and a penetration of 15 cm (5.94 inches) of homogeneous armor at 900 m (1,000 yards). The reinforced breech is of the vertical wedge type, with a semi-automatic action. Compared to the PaK 38 and the PaK 40, the appearance was long, low, and sturdy.

The gun is sighted up to 1,500 meters; the sight has four scales for use according to the actual muzzle velocity of the gun. The barrel life is provisionally estimated as 500 to 600 rounds.

Service

[edit]

When first introduced, the 7.5 cm Pak 41's performance would seem to indicate that it might supplant the Pak 40 as the standard issue anti-tank gun for the Wehrmacht. However, the emergent shell's velocity tended to drop dramatically over long range and accuracy and penetration suffered as a consequence. This factor, along with a growing shortage of tungsten, which was needed for the gun's special ammunition, would ensure that only 150 Pak 41's would ever be produced. Most Pak 41's were scrapped when their barrels had worn out and / or their ammunition supply was exhausted, although it is believed that a small number of Pak 41's were converted to accept 7.5 cm Pak 40 barrels and components.

A small number were known to have been mounted on halftracks and used as lightly armored tank destroyers.[citation needed]

Ammunition

[edit]

Pzgr 41 (HK)

[edit]
German 7,5 cm Pak 41 APCNR Shot

An armour-piercing, composite, non-rigid projectile with a sub-calibre tungsten core and tracer.

  • Weight of projectile: 2.6 kg
  • Muzzle velocity: 1230 m/s
Range Penetration
at 30 degrees from vertical [3]
100 m 198 mm
500 m 172 mm
1000 m 140 mm
1500 m n/a

Pzgr 41 (W) - APCNR

[edit]

An armour-piercing, non-rigid projectile with tracer for practice only.

  • Weight of projectile: 2.5 kg
  • Muzzle velocity: 1230 m/s
Range Penetration
at 30 degrees from vertical [3]
100 m 97 mm
500 m 80 mm
1000 m 70 mm
1500 m 60 mm

See also

[edit]

References and sources

[edit]
Notes
  1. ^ "Mile-A-Second Rifle Bullet Is Squeezed In Firing" Popular Mechanics, August 1933
  2. ^ daveh (2 June 2003). "Question about the waffe 0725". Axis History Forum. Retrieved 25 October 2015. Given the standards of research of T Jentz ... It would appear that the waffe 0725 is a different weapon to the Pak 41.
  3. ^ a b Nachrichtenblatt zur Panzerbeschusstafel 7,5 cm Pak 41 L/74.5* dated Nov. 1942
Sources
  • 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]

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