3,7cm KPÚV vz. 37
Anti-tank gun
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 3,7 cm KPÚV vz. 37 (Czech: kanón proti útočné vozbě 37) was an anti-tank gun produced by the Škoda Works that saw service in World War II.
TypeAnti-tank gun
PlaceoforiginCzechoslovakia
UsedbyCzechoslovakia
Nazi Germany
Yugoslavia
Bulgaria
Slovakia
Nazi Germany
Yugoslavia
Bulgaria
Slovakia
WarsWorld War II
| 3,7cm KPÚV vz. 37 | |
|---|---|
Škoda 37 mm vz. 37 on display at Belgrade's Military Museum | |
| Type | Anti-tank gun |
| Place of origin | Czechoslovakia |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Czechoslovakia Nazi Germany Yugoslavia Bulgaria Slovakia |
| Wars | World War II |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Škoda Works |
| Designed | 1935–1936 |
| Manufacturer | Škoda Works |
| Produced | 1936–1939 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 370 kg (800 lb) |
| Barrel length | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) L/47.8 |
| Crew | ? |
| Shell | Fixed QF 37×268mmR[1] |
| Shell weight | 0.8 kg (1 lb 12 oz) |
| Caliber | 37.2 mm (1.46 in) |
| Breech | Semi-automatic vertical sliding-block |
| Carriage | Split trail |
| Elevation | -8° / +26° |
| Traverse | 50° |
| Rate of fire | 12 rounds per minute |
| Muzzle velocity | 750 m/s (2,500 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 900 m (980 yd) |
History
Originally designed for the Czechoslovak Army, some were also sold to Yugoslavia.
A number were appropriated by the Germans after the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and used under the designations 3,7 cm PaK 37 (t). Captured Yugoslav guns were used under the designation of 3,7 cm Pak 156 (j).
Slovakia acquired 158 when it declared independence from Czechoslovakia in March 1939.[2]
Design
The gun had a small shield and wooden-spoked wheels, although some were fitted with pneumatic wheels, designated vz. 37M.
