75mm Pak 38/97
7.5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 97/38
Introduction
75mm Pak 97/38
A 7.5-cm Pak 97/38 anti-tank gun on display at the Mikkeli Infantry museum in 2011.
Source: MKFI -
© Public domain
Origin
Nazi Germany
Type
Anti-tank gun
Entered service
1942
Status
Out of service
Development
Early 1940's
Developer
Nazi Germany
Production
1942 - 1943
Producer
Nazi Germany
Unit cost
9.000 RM
Number produced
3.712 Pak 97/38
160 Pak 97/40
46 Finnish conversions in 1943
10 7.5 cm Pak 97/38(f) auf Pz.740(r)
160 Pak 97/40
46 Finnish conversions in 1943
10 7.5 cm Pak 97/38(f) auf Pz.740(r)
Designations
Pak 97/38 / 7.5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 97/38
Cannone da 75/39
Cannone da 75/39
Notable users
Nazi Germany
Finland - 1943 - 1986
Italy
Romania
Hungary
Finland - 1943 - 1986
Italy
Romania
Hungary
Details
Facts
Pak 97/38
General
Origin
Nazi Germany
Type
Towed anti-tank gun
Crew
5
Dimensions - Travel configuration
Weight
1.27 t
Length
4.65 m
Width
1.85 m
Height
1.05 m
Dimensions - Firing configuration
Weight
1.19 t
Ordnance
Type
75mm L/34.5 rifled gun
Ammunition type
75x350mmR
Barrel length
2.72 m including muzzle brake
2.58 m excluding muzzle brake
Rifling
24 grooves, 1.92 m uniform right hand twist
Breech
Nordenfelt pattern eccentric screw
Muzzle brake
Yes, pepperpot
Elevation
-10° to +18°
Traverse
60° in total
Firepower
Rate of fire
12 to 14 rpm maximum
8 to 10 rpm practical
Muzzle velocity
450 m/s for Gr.38/97Hl/B(f) HEAT-shell
570 m/s for K.Gr.Pz.(p) AP-shell
545 - 577 m/s for various types of HE-Fragmentation
Range
1.5 km max for direct fire for both AP and HEAT-shells
7.6 to 10 km in indirect fire using HE-shells
Carriage
Type
2 wheel split trail carriage
Detachable single wheel dolly for manhandling in the field
Ground clearance
0.3 m
Limber
No
Gun shield
Yes
Mobility
Towing vehicle
Light or medium truck
Towed speed
Up to 50 km/h on good roads
Autonomous mobility
Can be manhandled over short distances
Media
75mm Pak 97/38
Right side view of a former Finnish 7.5-cm Pak 97/38 anti-tank gun on display at the Hämeenlinna Artillery Museum in 2006.
Source: Balcer
Copyright: CC BY-SA 3.0
75mm Pak 97/38
Rear view of a dug in 7.5-cm Pak 97/38 anti-tank gun in German service in March of 1943.
Source: Narodowe Archiwum Cyfrowe
Copyright: Public domain
75mm Pak 97/38
Rear view of a camouflaged 7.5-cm Pak 97/38 anti-tank gun in Finnish service in June of 1944.
Source: The Finnish Defence Forces
Copyright: Public domain
Related articles
50mm PaK-38
The Pak 97/38 uses the carriage and gun shield of the PaK-38.
75mm PaK-40
A smaller number of 160 guns were built on the larger and sturdier carriage of the PaK-40.