PzGr40
20.01.2005, 00:06
Cutaway model of a SprenGranatpatrone (SprGr)38 (HE shell type38), as used in the 5cm Pak38 anti tank gun and the Kwk39 L/60 (Puma). The projectile is made of two parts, the body and the threaded adepter ring screwed in top of the projectile. The projectile is filled with a thin cartboard bush, filled with the "sprengladung der 5cm Sprgr 38" ( Explosive charge of the 5cm HE shell). The charge was made up of two parts , a small upper bush , and a long lower bush. Total weight of the explosive charge is 170 grams and exists of explosive filler type 16 (100% TNT cast in cartboard bushing with an initialiser of 90% Nitropenta mixed with 10% wax). In the top of the lower bush a smoke pellet is placed, existing of pressed red phospor in a cartboard bushing. The top cover of the smoke pellet forms the division between the upper and lower charge. The shell is fuzed with the AZ39 (Impact fuze 39). The fuze is made of aluminium. After firing, the ball starts to move upward , caused by the angular offset outward of the hole to the top of the fuze and the centrifugal force. The ball falls in a horizontal slider -whom prevents the firing pin from moving downward- ,and the increased weight of the ball moves the slider to the side of the ball ,thereby releasing the firing pin, which is now free floating. At impact the hammer pin above the firing pin moves down, moving the firing pin down into the duplex detonator.
The shellcase (50x420R) is steel made and was originally copper cladded. In the base of the shellcase an electric ignited C22 firing cap is placed (this means it was used in a vehicle, not in the towed Pak38 gun). The propelling charge exists of several parts: in the base of the shellcase a bag was placed, containing 30 grams Nz.Man.N.P (riflepowder) blades with a dimension of 1,5x1,5x0,5mm. This was sewed to a larger bag on top , containing 236 grams of Gu.Bl.P.-AO-(Blade powder) with a dimension of 4x4x0,5mm. As this charge only filled part of the shellcase , a powder stick was placed in the upper bag , preventing the powdercharge from falling forward when the shell is handled projectile down. If the bag would fall forward and there is no direct contact with the C22 electric primer, this may result in a misfire, or delay after pulling the trigger. A small bag, containing 5 grams of K2So4 ( flash ans smoke reducing salt) is tied around the top of the bag.
Weight of the projectile is 1,82 Kg, weight of the complete cartridge is 3,36 Kg. Vo.: 550 mtrs/sec. Max. range is about 6500 mtrs.
The shellcase (50x420R) is steel made and was originally copper cladded. In the base of the shellcase an electric ignited C22 firing cap is placed (this means it was used in a vehicle, not in the towed Pak38 gun). The propelling charge exists of several parts: in the base of the shellcase a bag was placed, containing 30 grams Nz.Man.N.P (riflepowder) blades with a dimension of 1,5x1,5x0,5mm. This was sewed to a larger bag on top , containing 236 grams of Gu.Bl.P.-AO-(Blade powder) with a dimension of 4x4x0,5mm. As this charge only filled part of the shellcase , a powder stick was placed in the upper bag , preventing the powdercharge from falling forward when the shell is handled projectile down. If the bag would fall forward and there is no direct contact with the C22 electric primer, this may result in a misfire, or delay after pulling the trigger. A small bag, containing 5 grams of K2So4 ( flash ans smoke reducing salt) is tied around the top of the bag.
Weight of the projectile is 1,82 Kg, weight of the complete cartridge is 3,36 Kg. Vo.: 550 mtrs/sec. Max. range is about 6500 mtrs.