Ampulomet
Weapon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ampulomet (Russian: 125-мм ампуломёт образца 1941 года, also rendered Ampulomyot, ampulla mortar, etc., lit. "ampule/vial thrower" cf. миномёт) was an expedient anti-tank weapon which launched a 125 mm incendiary projectile made of spherical glass.[4][5] This weapon was introduced in 1941 and used (to a limited degree) by the Red Army in World War II, but by 1942 was largely obsolete.[6]
Soviet Union
Finland (Captured)
Nazi Germany (Captured)| Ampulomet | |
|---|---|
Ampulomet and PM M1910 machine gun at the Museum of the Battle of Stalingrad. | |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1941–1945 |
| Used by | Soviet Union Finland (Captured) Nazi Germany (Captured) |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Leningrad |
| Produced | 1941–1942 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 26 kg (57 lb 5 oz) |
| Length | 1 m (3 ft 3 in) |
| Barrel length | .84 m (2 ft 9 in)[1] |
| Crew | 3[2] |
| Shell | Separate loading black powder charge and AZh-2 projectile containing KS incendiary. |
| Shell weight | 1.5 kg (3 lb 5 oz)[3] |
| Caliber | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Recoil | None |
| Elevation | 0° to +12° |
| Traverse | 360°[1] |
| Rate of fire | 8 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 50 m/s (160 ft/s) |
| Maximum firing range | 250 m (820 ft)[1] |
Design
The weapon consisted of an unrifled tube with a crude breech mounted on a Y-shaped pedestal which pivoted on trunnions to provide elevation. Two breech mounted inverted horns were provided for traverse/elevation and a simple inclinometer for targeting and range calculation. A black powder charge was inserted into the breech and fired by a percussion cap to propel the AZh-2 glass ampule.[1] The ampules were filled with an incendiary mixture known as KS. KS was a mixture of 80% phosphorus and 20% sulfur which ignited when exposed to air. The burning mixture created a bright flame, thick white smoke and would burn for up to three minutes at temperatures between 800–1,000 °C (1,470–1,830 °F). The burning liquid would seep through vision slots or engine grilles on a tank and ignite ammunition or fuel as well as choke and blind the crew.[7]
See also
Northover Projector — A similar British weapon used by the Home Guard during World War II
