The Panzerwagenkanone 38 (Pzw-Kan 38, lit. tank cannon 38) and the related Panzerabwehr-Befestigungskanone 38 (Pzaw-Bk 38, lit. anti-tank fortification cannon 38) are Swiss anti-tank weapons. Originally designed as a gun turret for the Praga LTL tank, the Pzw-Kan 38 was designed to provide rapid fire and reduce the chances of survival for those on the receiving end to a bare minimum.[1][2]
History[]
Development of the Pzw-Kan 38 started when some 1939-pattern tanks were purchased from Czechoslovakia; while the tanks were armed with 20mm cannons which were deemed to be powerful enough, the Swiss wanted something more powerful. As such, the Swiss government sent a request down to W+F Bern to produce the weapon; design of the weapon was overseen by a certain Adolf Furrer.[3]
The weapon was used in the Praga LTL tanks (essentially the Czech Panzer 38(t)) used by the Swiss, and was also used as a mount in fortifications. The weapon was eventually replaced by the TankbĆ¼chse 41 (or Tb 41) in those roles.[2]
Design Details[]
Like the Tb 41, the Pzw-Kan 38 is a recoil-operated anti-tank rifle originally designed for rapid fire which left no chance of survival against those on the receiving end.[1] As with most designs by Adolf Furrer, the weapon incorporated a toggle lock into its action; the action of the Tb 41 was actually based on the older Lmg 25 which Furrer also designed. While normally used on tanks, the weapon could also be mounted and used as a weapon for fortifications.[2]
The weapon has a large muzzle brake which is very effective in minimizing recoil. The weapon fed from six-round magazines fed from the top. While this was an optimal solution for getting the magazine out of the way of the gunner, it wasn't the most user-friendly; as such, a small sprung cover was added to the roof of the tank to reload it.[2] The weapon's charging handle is a small pivoting lever located on the left side of the gun; when pulled, the lever pulls both the barrel and toggle lock together.
Ammunition[]
Just like its successor the Tb 41, the Pzw-Kan 38 uses the 24Ć139mm round.
See also[]
- 24 mm TankbĆ¼chse 41, the successor to the Pzw-Kan 38