50mm PaK-38
5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 38
Introduction
PaK-38
German PaK-38 anti-tank gun on display near Sevastopol, Russia.
Source: George Chernilevsky -
© Public domain
Origin
Nazi Germany
Type
Anti-tank gun
Entered service
1940
Status
Out of service
Development
1937 - 1939
Developer
Nazi Germany
-
Rheinmetall-Borsig
Production
1940 - 1943 or 1944
Producer
Nazi Germany
-
Rheinmetall-Borsig
Unit cost
10.600 Reichsmark
Number produced
9.568
Designations
5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 38
Notable users
Nazi Germany
Details
Facts
PaK-38
General
Origin
Nazi Germany
Type
Towed anti-tank gun
Crew
5
Dimensions
Weight
1.0 t in
Length
4.75 m in travel configuration
Width
1.85 m in travel configuration
Height
1.05 m in travel configuration
Ordnance
Type
50mm 60-caliber
Barrel length
2.975 m
Muzzle brake
Yes
Muzzle velocity
823 m/s for Panzergranate 39
1.198 m/s for Panzergranate 40
549 m/s for Sprenggranate
Elevation
-8° to +27°
Traverse
65° in total
Sight
ZF 3 x 8°
Firepower
Rate of fire
15 to 20 rpm maximum
12 to 14 rpm practical
Range
2.7 km max for direct fire
9.4 km in indirect fire mode
Carriage
Type
2 wheel split trail carriage
Ground clearance
0.32 m
Limber
No
Gun shield
Yes
Mobility
Towing vehicle
Light or medium truck
Towed speed
Up to 50 km/h
Autonomous mobility
Can be manhandled over short distances
Media
PaK-38
German PaK-38 anti-tank gun in position in Tunesia in 1943.
Source: Bundesarchiv
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
PaK-38
Rear view of PaK-38 on display in a museum.
Source: Matthias Holländer
Copyright: Public domain
PaK-38
German PaK-38 anti-tank gun on display in a museum.
Source: Srdan Popovic
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Related articles
75mm PaK-40
The PaK-38 was replaced in produced by the more powerful PaK-40. However, it remained in use until the end of World War 2.