7.92×94mm Patronen

The 7.92×94mm is an anti-tank cartridge originally developed for the Panzerbüchse 38. As the war progressed, the round became obsolete against all but lightly armored vehicles.

7.92×94mm Patronen
TypeAnti-tank rifle cartridge
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
In service1939–1944
Used byGermany
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerGustloff Werke
ManufacturerGustloff Werke
Produced1938–1942
No. built9,417,400 (1939–1942)[1]
Specifications
Bullet diameter8.24 mm (0.324 in)
Neck diameter9.32 mm (0.367 in)
Shoulder diameter19.02 mm (0.749 in)
Base diameter20.91 mm (0.823 in)
Rim diameter20.94 mm (0.824 in)
Case length94.4 mm (3.72 in)
Overall length118 mm (4.6 in)
Ballistic performance
Bullet mass/type Velocity Energy
14.58 g (225 gr) APCR 1,210 m/s (4,000 ft/s) 10,584 J (7,806 ft⋅lbf)
Test barrel length: 1085mm (42.7 in)
Source(s): An Introduction To Anti-Tank Rifle Cartridges[2]

History

The 13.2 mm TuF made its first appearance in 1917 along with the Mauser 1918 T-Gewehr due to the new British Mark IV tank first appearing on the battlefield which by then the 7.92 mm K bullet, was no longer effective against. All German weaponry development came to a sudden halt after the defeat of the German Empire in 1918, and no further development took place due to the limitations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles.

Development resumed in the late 1930s when the Panzerbüchse 38 came around after the need to provide infantry with a man-portable anti tank weapon. The 7.92×94 mm round was then developed by Gustloff Werke for use as ammunition in the Panzerbüchse 39.[3]

As the war progressed, the round became ineffective against all but lightly armored vehicles. The round ended production in August 1942, and the Panzerbüchse 39 was phased out in 1944, effectively ending the service life of the round.

Details of the round

The round originally had a steel core and a tiny capsule of tear gas. The round was to penetrate the armor of the tank and the tear gas to force out the occupants of the vehicle. The idea was impractical due to the core penetrating the armor and leaving the capsule outside. Later bullets used tungsten cores due to its better penetrating power.[4] The round also had a metal jacket. The official designation of the round was Patrone 318 SmK-Rs-L'spur or Patrone 318 SmKH-Rs-L'spur. SmK means "Spitzgeschoss mit Kern", which translates to "pointed bullet with core". (H) indicates the bullet has a tungsten-carbide core, (Rs) stands for "Reizstoff", which means tear gas, because the projectile contains a small capsule of tear gas. "L'spur" stands for "Leuchtspur", which translates to tracer, indicating the bullet has a small tracer in its rear.

Firearms using this round

See also

References
  1. (in German)
  2. Williams, Anthony G. "An Introduction To Anti-Tank Rifle Cartridges". Military Guns & Ammunition. Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  3. Gordon L Rottman (20 September 2012). German Field Fortifications 1939-45. Osprey Publishing. pp. 21–. ISBN 978-1-78200-464-6.
  4. Iannamico, Frank. "Small Caliber Tank Buster: 7.92 mm Panzerbüchse [P.z.B.] 39 German Anti-Tank Rifle". SmallArmsReview.com. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
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