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122mm A-19



Overview


122mm M1937

M1937 towed gun on display in a museum.
Source: Lukasz - © GNU Attribution - Share Alike license

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Towed howitzer
Entered service
1936
Status
Obsolete
Development
1927 - 1935
Developer
Soviet Union
F.F. Petrov (M1937)
Production
1935 - 1939 (M1931)
1939 - 1946 (M1937)
Producer
Soviet Union - Barrikady arsenal (1935 - 1941)
Soviet Union - Motovilikha plant (1941 - 1946)
Number produced
450 - 500 M1931
About 2.450 M1937
Designations
52-P-471 (GRAU index for M1931)
52-P-471A (GRAU index for M1937)
12.2 cm K.390/1(r) (Beutewaffen index for M1931)
12.2 cm K.390/2(r) (Beutewaffen index for M1937)
122 K 31 (Finnish designation for both models)
122/46 (russo .31) (Spanish service)
122 mm armata wz. 1931/37/85 (Poland)
Notable users
Soviet Union
Nazi Germany
North Korea

Description


Introduction

The A-19 is a World War 2 era towed howitzer of Soviet origin. It was used alongside the larger caliber ML-20 as a corps gun. Due to its quality it remained in use after World War 2. Vehicle mounted versions of the ordnance were used in the ISU-122 self-propelled gun and IS-2 and IS-3 heavy tanks.

Design

The A-19 was designed as a long range weapon and is fitted with a long barreled 122mm howitzer without muzzle brake. A gun shield gives the crew of 9 men some protection from small arms fire over the frontal arc. The original two wheel split trail carriage used large rigid wheels. After a few years production the carriage of the ML-20 was used.

Firepower

The A-19 fires 122mm shells out to 20.4 km. A long range for World War 2 standards. The rate of fire is 3 to 4 rounds per minute. If needed the A-19 can be used for direct fire, but it's size and weight make it inconvenient to use in this role. It proved to be able to knock out the latest German tanks.

Mobility

Artillery tractors were used to move the A-19 since the A-19 is too heavy to be moved by hand. The improved M1937 model with the ML-20 carriage has pressurized tires and is easier to tow.

Users

The A-19 was widely used by Soviet forces during World War 2. Up to 400 guns were captured by Nazi Germany and pressed into service. After the war the A-19 remained in use and was replaced by the more capable M-46. Surplus weapons were widely exported to Soviet allies and remained in use in the Middle East, Africa and Asia as late as the 1980's. Small numbers may still remain in reserve.

Variants


M1931

The M1931 is the original version of the A-19. The ordnance is installed on a two wheel split trail carriage with large iron wheels with rigid rubber tires.

M1937

The improved M1937 uses the ordnance of the M1931 and the more capable carriage of the 152mm ML-20 gun-howitzer. This makes the weapon easier to handle, improves mobility and reduced the production costs. The firing characteristics remain unchanged. The M1937 is also referred to as the M1931/37 or M1931/1937.

Details


Facts A-19 (M1931) A-19 (M1931/37)
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Towed howitzer
Crew
9
Dimensions
Weight
7.1 t in firing position
7.8 t in travel configuration
Length
8.9 m
Width
2.35 m
Height
1.99 m
Ordnance
Type
122mm 46-caliber howitzer
Barrel length
5.65 m
Muzzle brake
No
Muzzle velocity
800 m/s
Elevation
-2 to +45°
Traverse
56° in total
Firepower
Rate of fire
3 to 4 rpm
Range
20.4 km for concrete piercing
19.8 km for high explosive
4 km for armor piercing
Carriage
Type
2 wheel split trail carriage
Ground clearance
0.33 m
Limber
2 wheel detachable limber
Gun shield
Yes
Mobility
Towing vehicle
Artillery tractor
Towed speed
17 km/h on road
Autonomous mobility
Too heavy for manhandling
APU
No

Related articles


IS-3

The 122mm D-25T main gun of the IS-3 heavy tank was derived from the A-19.