3,7cm KPÚV vz. 34

The 3,7 cm KPÚV vz. 34 (Czech: kanón proti útočné vozbě) (designated 3,7 cm PaK 34(t) in German service) was an anti-tank gun produced by the Škoda Works in Czechoslovakia. Škoda's own designation for it was A3. It is not known if guns seized by Germany after the occupation of Bohemia-Moravia saw service in World War II. Slovakia acquired 113 when it declared independence from Czechoslovakia in March 1939.[2]

3,7cm KPÚV vz. 34
In Armádní muzeum Žižkov
TypeAnti-tank gun
Place of originCzechoslovakia
Service history
In service1934–1944
Used byCzechoslovakia
Slovakia
Nazi Germany
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerŠkoda Works
Designed1934
ManufacturerŠkoda Works
Produced1934–1939
VariantsÚV vz. 34 tank gun
Specifications
Barrel length1.48 m (4 ft 10 in) L/40

ShellFixed QF 37 x 268 mm R[1]
Shell weight.815 kg (1 lb 12.7 oz)
Caliber37.2 mm (1.46 in)
BreechSemi-automatic
CarriageSplit-trail
Rate of fire12 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity675 m/s (2,210 ft/s)
Effective firing range1,000 m (1,100 yd)
Maximum firing range4,000 m (4,400 yd)

It was designed to a Czech Army requirement to penetrate 30 mm (1.2 in) of armor at 1,000 m (1,100 yd) in 1934. It also fired a HE shell out to a maximum range of 4,000 m (4,400 yd). The gun had a small shield and wooden-spoked wheels, although some were fitted with pneumatic wheels.[3]

ÚV vz. 34 tank gun

The ÚV vz. 34 fired a .815 kg (1.80 lb) armor-piercing shell at a velocity of 690 m/s (2,300 ft/s). The vz.34 comprised the main armament of a number of Czech/German armored vehicles.

Armored vehicles:

Performance

Armor penetration table[4]
Range Contact angle 30°
100 m (110 yd) 37 mm (1.5 in)
500 m (550 yd) 31 mm (1.2 in)*
1,000 m (1,100 yd) 26 mm (1.0 in)
1,500 m (1,600 yd) 22 mm (0.87 in)

*Another source quotes penetration of a vertical plate of 45 mm (1.8 in) thick armor at 500 m (550 yd).

See also

Notes

  1. "31-37 MM CALIBRE CARTRIDGES". www.quarryhs.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2017-09-27.
  2. Kliment and Nakládal, p. 121
  3. Kliment and Francev, p. 138
  4. Chamberlain and Doyle, p. 245

References

  • Chamberlain, Peter; Doyle, Hilary L. (1993) [1978]. Encyclopedia of German Tanks of World War Two: A Complete Illustrated Directory of German Battle Tanks, Armoured Cars, Self-propelled Guns, and Semi-tracked Vehicles, 1933–1945. Jentz, Thomas L. (Revised ed.). London: Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 1-85409-214-6.
  • Kliment, Charles K.; Francev, Vladimír (1997). Czechoslovak Armored Fighting Vehicles. Atglen, PA: Schiffer. ISBN 0-7643-0141-1.
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