Soviet M1938 122mm Field Howitzer

Soviet M1938 122mm Field Howitzer. . The Model 1938 weapon was one of the most popular and successful Soviet designs of World War II. Even though it was a completely new design, it was still able to fire the same projectiles as its predecessor, the Model 1910/30. The M1938 was the standard weapon of the Soviet divisional and army group artillery during World War II. It occupied the same tactical position as the American M2A1 105mm Howitzer. It was a light, sturdy howitzer with a split trail carriage. This weapon utilizes an unusual combination of an interrupted screw breech and cased ammunition. The Germans captured large numbers of the M1938, designating it as the 12.2cm schwere Feldhaubitze 396 (r), and used the howitzers against their former owners for the duration of the war. A total of 19,266 M1938s were made before production ended in 1955. Another testament to the quality of this howitzer is the fact it never needed to be modified or improved from 1938 to 1955. A Chinese copy, the Type 54, has been produced in large numbers. The M1938 continued in service in many countries, such as Algeria, Bulgaria, Cuba, Libya, North Korea, Poland, Rumania, Vietnam and Yugoslavia, decades after it ended production. , Caliber - 4.8 in. - 122 mm , Weight - 5,500 lbs. - 2,500 kg , Range - 13,000 yds. - 11,800 m , Shell Weight - 48 lbs. - 22 kg , Muzzle Velocity - 1,690 ft/sec. - 515 m/sec. , Elevation - (-3 to +62 ½ degrees) - (-53 to +1,111 mils) , Traverse - 49 degrees - 871 mils , Rate of Fire - 5 to 6 rpm , CCN#97704