14.5mm Ammunition
14.5mm Cartridge with Armor-Piercing Incendiary Bullet M1941 (with Special Core),
Type BS-41
This round is used interchangeably with the 14.5mm AP-I round B-32 cartridge, in the Soviet shoulder-fired antitank rifles PTRS-1941 (Simonov) and PTRD-1941 (Degtyarev).
This steel-jacketed bullet differs from the Type B-32 in that it has a flat base and a tungsten carbide core and in that it is considerably shorter. The incendiary composition is placed in the nose of the jacket, forward of the core, as in the Type B-32.
This bullet was designed in 1941 in an effort to increase the combat effectiveness of the shoulder-fired antitank rifles. Even with its slightly increased penetration capability, it has only limited use against modern armor.
The red bullet with black tip and the black primer are identifying color markings.
Characteristics
Caliber: 14.5mm (Cal. .57)
Weight of cartridge: 206.5g (3,187 gr)
Weight of case: 111.2g (1,715 gr)
Weight of bullet: 64.4g (994 gr)
Weight of propellant: 30.95g (478 gr)
Weight of tungsten carbide core: 38.5g (594 gr)
Length of cartridge: 115.7mm (6.13 in)* (4.55 in)
Length of case: 113.2mm (4.46 in)
Length of bullet: 49.02mm (1.93 in)
* The manual incorrectly states this measure
Packaging
Two hermetically sealed galvanized-metal containers are packed in a wooden box, as illustrated above. Each metal container has 42 cartridges packed loosely in rows with strips of paper between each row and the cartridge heads alternately positioned in opposite directions. The wooden packing box has a total of 84 cartridges.
Wooden packing boxes also have been reported to contain 80 cartridges of this type and caliber. The wooden packing box for this cartridge is identified by the black-painted ends, black edges on the ends of the cover, two broken, black concentric circles, and the Russian symbol БС-41 (BS-41) immediately following the caliber size.
The metal container can be identified by the two broken, black concentric circles and by the Russian symbol БС-41 (BS-41) after the caliber size.
14.5mm Cartridge with Armor-Piercing Incendiary Bullet M1932, Type B-32
This round, with a rimless, bottlenecked cartridge case, is used in the Soviet 14.5mm antitank rifles PTRS-1941 (Simonov) and PTRD-1941 (Degtyarev), which were employed extensively by the Soviet Army against lightly armored vehicles, as well as against light and medium tanks, during World War II.
The brass cartridge case is secured to the bullet by a continuous rolled crimp at the mouth. The streamlined steel-jacketed bullet has a hardened steel core and an incendiary composition in the nose.
The round was designed to combat light and medium tanks within a range of 500 meters (547 yards) and to ignite inflammable material behind the armor. Its usefulness against modern armor is limited.l At a range of 100 yards, this cartridge will penetrate 1.5 inches of homogeneous armor plate at normal.
The black tip and red band on the bullet are identifying color markings.
Characteristics
Caliber: 14.5mm (Cal. .57)
Weight of cartridge: 200.2g (3,089 gr)
Weight of case: 107.8g (1,664 gr)
Weight of bullet: 63.4g (979 gr)
Weight of propellant: 28.87g (445 gr)
Weight of steel core: 40.6g (626 gr)
Length of cartridge: 155.7mm (6.13 in)
Length of case: 113.2mm (4.46 in)
Length of bullet: 49.02mm (1.93 in)
Packaging
The packaging for this round is identical with that for rounds of 7.62mm and 12.7mm caliber. A hermetically sealed metal container holds 40 cartridges packed loosely in rows, with strips of paper placed between each row, and with the heads alternately in opposite directions. Two such containers are placed in a wooden box, making a total of 80 cartridges per box. Wooden boxes of this type also have been reported to contain 84 cartridges, 42 in each of the 2 metal containers.
Both the metal and the wooden for this cartridge bear the Russian symbol Б-32 (B-32) immedietaly following the caliber size, as well as a black and red stripe.
I should take this moment to mention once again that the data these entries (Soviet Explosive Ordnance) are taken from a 1953 Technical Manual on the subject. Therefore, it is possible that inaccuracies exist. Any evidence that contradicts this information from a more recent source would be greatly appreciated, to help make these posts more accurate.
Mortar Ammunition
Soviet mortar ammunition is similar, in most respects, to the mortar ammunition of other nations. The shells are teardrop-shaped, are stabilized in flight by metal fins, and use point-detonating fuzes. This ammunition for smooth-bore weapons uses a propelling charge adjustable for desired ranges, consisting of ring-shaped or boat-shaped propellent increments and shot shell type of ignition cartridge. The ring-shaped propellent increments are placed around the fin shaft; the boat-shaped propellent increments are inserted between the fin vanes, and the ignition cartridge is inserted into the fin shaft base.
Soviet mortar ammunition is cheap, easy to manufacture, and has an extremely high percentage of explosive content. Types of mortar ammunition known to be in use are: fragmentation, high-explosive, fragmentation high-explosive, smoke, leaflet, incendiary, chemical, and illuminating.
Soviet mortar ammunition is manufactured in the following calibers: 82mm for the battalion mortar, 107 for the mountain-pack regimental mortar, 120mm for the regimental mortar, and 160mm for the divisional mortar. The 160mm is the largest mortar used by any present-day (1953) army. Within the Soviet Army, 107mm mortars and ammunition probably will be found only in moutnain units. 107 mortars and ammunition also are known to have been issued to several Satellite nations. During World War II the Soviets used a 50mm mortar, but they are believed to have discontinued use of the weapon because of its short range, unsatisfactory fragmentation effect, and inaccuracy.
Indications are that lack of uniformity in Soviet propellants necessitates considerable preparation of ammunition before firing. It is mandatory that the ammunition for each mortar be pre-selected and sorted by lots, weight marks, and matching charges. Such a selection tends to reduce the dispersion caused by the varying lots of propellant.
The marking and packaging of Soviet mortar ammunition are very similar to those of their artillery ammunition, described previously. 82mm mortar rounds usually are packed in wooden boxes containing 10 complete rounds, or in 3-round metal "combat" boxes, which are easily transported by man-pack to the weapon site. 107mm and 120mm rounds are packed in two- and four-round wooden boxes. The method of packing 160mm mortar rounds is not known, but owing to the weight of the round, single round containers probably are used. Hermetically sealed containers are used for the storage of charges until just before their use.
Markings on the side of the brass base, or on the closing disc, of the ignition cartridges indicate the type of propellant, the lot number, the year of assembly, and the assembly plant for the cartridge.
82mm Mortar Shell, Frag, O-832
This fragmentation mortar shell, O-832, is fired from the various 82mm battalion mortars. The complete round consists of five components: (1) A point detonating fuze, (2) a cast iron shell body, (3) a fin assembly, (4) an ignition cartridge, and (5) propellant increments which can be adjusted for zone firing.
The shell body may be filled with TNT, a mixture of amatol and TNT, or a mixture of Schneiderite and TNT. The tail assembly stabilizes the shell in flight; it consists of a hollow shaft for the ignition cartridge, and six fins which are spot-welded to the shaft. Slots in the fins hold the boat-shaped propellent increments in place. Perforations or flash holes in the tail shaft, between the fins, permit the flash from the ignition cartridge to ignite the propellent increments.
The number of increments used determines the charge number: "Charge 6" is the ignition cartridge and six increments; "Charge 0" is the ignition cartridge only. In appearance, the ignition cartridge resembles a standard shotgun shell, except for a slight bulge in its case. This bulge assures a forced fit and retains the ignition cartridge within the shaft of the fin assembly.
Point detonating fuzes M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, M-5, MP-82, and MP-M are used with this round.
Characteristics
Caliber: 82mm (3.23 in)
Weight of complete round: 3.15kg (6.95 lbs)
Weight of propellant: 86.9g (3.04 oz)
Type of filled: Schneiderite/TNT
Weight of filler: 0.41kg (0.91 lb)
Maximum number of increments: 6
Packaging
The illustrated packing box has a capacity of 10 fuzed 82mm fragmentation mortar shells, O-832, with a sufficient number of ignition cartridges and propellent increments for all zones of fire. The box is of sturdy construction, usually of a soft wood, with corners dove-tailed or reinforced by metal straps or angles. Shells are held in place by contour blocking. The O-832 mortar shell also may be packed in the three-round metal "combat" box.
Markings shown in the above illustration will not be found on all boxes containing O-832 shells, but are typical of those which may be encountered.
82mm Mortar Shell, Frag, O-832D
This fragmentation mortar shell, O-832D, is fired from the various 82mm battalion mortars. It differs from the O-832 fragmentation mortar shell in having a fin assembly with 10 fins instead of 6, and in using ring- or doughnut-shaped propellent increments rather than boat-shaped.
The ring-shaped increments are placed around the shaft of the fin assembly, directly over the flash holes, in order that they may receive the maximum flash from the ignition cartridge. One ring-shaped propellent increment, as used on this shell, is equivalent to two boat-shaped increments, as used on the O-832; thus, three ring-shaped increments comprise the full charge. The two types of increments are not interchangeable between these two shells.
Fuzes M-1, M-2, M-3, M-4, M-5, MP-82, and MP-M are used in this shell.
Characteristics
Caliber: 82mm (3.23 in)
Weight of complete round: 3.15kg (6.95 lbs)
Weight of propellant: 86.9g (3.04 oz)
Type of filled: Amatol 90/10
Weight of filler: 0.41kg (0.91 lb)
Maximum number of increments: 3
The illustrated packing box has a capacity of 10 fuzed 82mm fragmentation mortar shells, O-832D, plus a sufficient number of ignition cartridges and propellent increments for all zones of fire. The box is of sturdy construction, usually of a soft wood, with corners dove-tailed or reinforced by metal straps or angles.
The shells are held in place by contour blocking. The rounds in this box have been renovated and repacked, as indicated by the Russian abbreviation "PEM" (REM). The O-832D shells may also be found in the three-round "combat" box.
82mm Mortar Shell, Smoke, D-832
This smoke mortar shell, D-832, is fired from the various 82mm battalion mortars. It can be distinguished from fragmentation shells by the "Д" (D) preceding the numerals in its code number, by a half-inch-wide black band just below the bourrelet, and by the adapter in the ogive. (It appears that the fragmentation shell, O-832, was modified to take this adapter, which contains the fuze and bursting charge.)
In other respects, this shell closely resembles the fragmentation shell, O-832; the same type of propellent increments and fin assembly are used, and the outward appearance is similar. The smoke shell is heavier than the fragmentation shell, however, and its range is slightly less.
The shell body contains a smoke-producing agent, usually yellow phosphorus, and a burster
The propellent increments "Z-832", and the ignition cartridges "Zh-832", are used to propel this shell.
In addition to using this shell for screening purposes, the Soviets also use it in an anti-personnel role, as its fragmentation effect is only 35 to 40 percent less than that of fragmentation shells. The shell is of additional tactical importance because of its incendiary effect against personnel and materiel.
Caliber: 82mm (3.23 in)
Weight of complete round: 3.66kg (8.07 lbs)
Weight of propellant: 50g (2 oz)
Type of filled: Phosphorus/Schneiderite/TNT
Weight of filler: 0.066kg (0.15 lb)
Maximum number of increments: 6
Packaging
The illustrated packing box has a capacity of three fuzed 82mm smoke mortar shells, D-832, with ignition cartridges, and with propellent increments attached to the fin assembly. Additional increments may be carried in cylinders which are clipped to the lid.
The box is constructed of stamped sheet metal, has a hinged lid, finger-tip pressure catches, and carrying handles. This container is known as the "combat" box because it is so easily transported to the weapon site by man-pack. The box may or may not be marked.
The D-832 smoke mortar shell is also packed in 5- and 10-round wooden boxes.
82mm Mortar Shell, Propaganda, A-832
This propaganda leaflet mortar shell is fired from the various 82mm battalion mortars. This mortar shell can be identified by its semi-conical nose, elongated body, and time fuze. Soviet documents indicate that the nose and body of some propaganda leaflet mortar shells are painted red; however, some shells recovered have been unpainted.
The leaflets carried by this shell are enclosed in two metal half-cylinders in the shell body, and are expelled by a charge located between the time fuze and the leaflet containers. When the expelling charge acts against the leaflet containers, the fine threads attaching the fin assembly to the body are sheared off, allowing the leaflets to escape and scatter.
A powder-train type, setback-armed time fuze similar in appearance to the Soviet 45-sec time fuze, is used in this shell. Propellent increments and the ignition charge used with this shell are similar to those used for the O-832 and D-832 shells.
Caliber: 82mm (3.23 in)
Weight of complete round: 4.5kg (9.9 lbs)
Weight of propellant: 50g (2 oz)
Type of filled: Propaganda leaflets
Weight of filler: 0.01kg (0.02 lb)
Maximum number of increments: 6
Packaging
The illustrated packing box has a capacity of three fuzed 82mm propaganda shells, A-832, with ignition cartridges, and with propellent increments attached to the fin assembly. Additional increments may be carried in cylinders which are clipped to the lid.
The box is constructed of stamped sheet metal, has a hinged lid, finger-tip pressure catches, and carrying handles. This container is known as the "combat" box because it is so easily transported to the weapon site by man-pack. The box may or may not be marked.
The A-832 propaganda leaflet shell is also packed in 5- and 10-round wooden boxes.
Next time: 107mm and 160mm Mortar Shells
