45mm 53-K
45mm anti-tank gun M1937
Overview
45mm 53-K
Soviet 45mm M1937 (53-K) towed anti-tank gun in used with Estonian troops in 1945.
Source: Hans Soosaar -
© CC BY 4.0
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Anti-tank gun
Entered service
1938
Status
Out of service
Development
1937
Developer
Soviet Union
-
Kalinin design bureau
M.N. Loginov (lead designer)
M.N. Loginov (lead designer)
Production
November 1937 - 1944
Producer
Soviet Union
-
No. 8 factory in Kaliningrad
>7.750 from 1937 to 1941
Soviet Union - No. 8 factory in Sverdlovsk
422 from 1941 to 1942
Soviet Union - No. 235 factory in Votkinsk
24.670 from 1941 to 1944
Soviet Union - No. 172 factory in Molotov
13.275 from 1942 to 1943
>7.750 from 1937 to 1941
Soviet Union - No. 8 factory in Sverdlovsk
422 from 1941 to 1942
Soviet Union - No. 235 factory in Votkinsk
24.670 from 1941 to 1944
Soviet Union - No. 172 factory in Molotov
13.275 from 1942 to 1943
Number produced
Over 46.000, perhaps over 51.000
Designations
52-P-243-PP-1 (GRAU index)
45mm anti-tank gun M1937
4.5 cm Pak 184/1(r) (Beutewaffen index)
45 PstK 37 (Finnish service)
45mm anti-tank gun M1937
4.5 cm Pak 184/1(r) (Beutewaffen index)
45 PstK 37 (Finnish service)
Notable users
Soviet Union
Details
Facts
45mm 53-K
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Towed anti-tank gun
Crew
4 or 5
Dimensions - Travel configuration
Weight
1.2 t with horse drawn ammunition limber
560 kg towed by vehicle without limber
Length
4.02 m without limber
6.4 m with limber
Width
1.63 m
Height
1.30 m
Dimensions - Firing configuration
Weight
560 kg
Ordnance
Type
45mm L/46 rifled gun
Ammunition
45x310mmR 53-B-240 family of ammunition
Barrel length
2.07 m
Muzzle brake
No
Elevation
-8° to +25°, manual
Traverse
60° in total, manual
Firepower
Rate of fire
15 - 20 rpm maximum
Muzzle velocity
760 m/s BR-240
Range
800 m direct fire with AP ammunition
4.4 km maximum for HE-Fragmentation
Carriage
Type
2 wheel split trail carriage
Limber
Optional, mandatory for horse drawn use
Gun shield
Yes, 7mm thick
Ground clearance
0.27 m
Limber
Type
2 wheel limber with ammunition stowage
Mandatory for horse drawn use, optional for motorized towing
Horses
4
Ammunition
24 shells within limber
Mobility
Towing vehicle
Horse drawn with ammunition limber
Light truck
Towed speed
35 km/h on roads
Autonomous mobility
Yes, can be manhandled by the crew
Related articles
45mm M1942
The 53-K was replaced by the longer barrel M1942. This provided better muzzle velocity and penetration. It also had a thicker gun shield.