Soviet M1931 203mm Howitzer

Soviet M1931 203mm Howitzer. . , This was the heaviest of the Soviet field artillery weapons in World War II. Known as the B-4, this large powerful howitzer was mounted on three different carriages with the first two on wheels. The most successful carriage used tracks, which was a benefit for the Soviet agricultural tractor industry in the 1920s and 30s. The tracks gave it superior mobility over soft ground and rugged terrain. For movement over long distances, the barrel was removed and the howitzer was transported in two loads. A total of 889 B-4s were built between 1934 and 1941, when production ended. The M1931 was used both as an indirect fire howitzer and a heavy assault howitzer that utilised short-range direct fire for destroying fortifications and buildings. It was used with awesome effect during the Battle of Berlin, often demolishing large buildings the Germans were defending. The Germans captured a number of these howitzers and designated them as the 20.3cm Haubitze 503 (r). This howitzer was captured by the Germans during their 1941 invasion of the Soviet Union and has German labels. This weapon was then captured by the U.S. Army on the Western Front in 1945. This M1931 arrived here from Aberdeen Proving Ground in 2012., Caliber - 8 in. - 203 mm , Weight - 39,021 lbs. - 17,700 kg , Range - 17,500 yds. - 16,000 m , Shell Weight - 220 lbs. - 100 kg , Muzzle Velocity - 2,001 ft/sec. - 610 m/sec. , Elevation - (0 to +60 degrees) - (0 to +1,067 mils) , Traverse - 8 degrees - 142 mils , Rate of Fire - 1 rpm , CCN 74825