German Projectiles - 88mm Projectiles

German Projectiles

Hollow Charge Projectile, Type 39, 88mm

No picture available

German Designation: H L Gr. Patr. 39 Flak (Hohl Ladun Granate Patrone 39 Flugabwehrkanone)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 18
                       8.8cm Flak 36
                       8.8cm Flak 37

Dimensions

Total weight (projectile): 16.83 pounds

Weight of bursting charge: 1.5 pounds

Soft iron rotating bands

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 22.4 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.625 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.812 inches

Diameter at base: 4.02 inches

Weight of case: 11.625 pounds

Type of propellant: Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze AZ 38 St.
This fuze is identical with the AZ 38 except that it is made of steel.

Markings: Painted Grey, stencilled in black.
"HL FES" stencilled on body.

 Remarks: Information is from captured documents.  All three weapons employ the same cartridge case.

A.P.C. Projectile, Type 39, 88mm

No picture available

German Designation: Pzgr. Patr. 39 (Panzergranate Patrone 39)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak. 41

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 45.5 inches
Overall length (projectile): 13.5 inches

Distance from base to band: 1.937 inches

Width of rotating bands: 0.469 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 3.437 inches
Total weight (complete round): 46 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 22.44 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 2.12 ounces

Type of Bursting Charge: Cyclonite

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 33.687 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.562 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.094 inches

Diameter at case base: 4.844 inches

Weight of propellant: 11.91 pounds

Type of propellant: Tubular Gudol

Fuze: Base detonating fuze - Bd. Z. f 8.8cm (unmarked)

Markings: Painted black with white tip.

 Remarks: This is the "small cavity" type of German APCBCHE with Cyclonite bursting charge and a spring-loaded fuze.

H.E. Projectile Type L/4.5, 88mm

German Designation: Sprgr. Patr. L/4.5 (Kpf.Z) (Sprenggranate Patrone Lange/4.5 (Kopfzunder) )

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 18
                       8.8cm Flak 36
                       8.8cm Flak 37

Dimensions

Overall length (projectile): 15.51 inches

Distance from base to band: 1.375 inches

Width of lower rotating band: 0.531 inches

Width of upper rotating band: 0.469 inches
Diameter of bourrelet: 3.446 inches
Diameter of projectile base: 3.447 inches
Total weight (projectile): 20.35 pounds
Weight of bursting charge: 1.9 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: Amatol 40/60

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 22.4 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.625 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.812 inches

Diameter at case base: 4.02 inches

Weight of case: 11.625 pounds
Weight of propellant: 5.03 pounds

Type of propellant: Tubular Diglycol

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze - AZ 23/28 or Mechanical time fuze - Zt. Z. s/30

Markings: Painted yellow or green

Packaging: Three rounds in a wicker basket - 123 pounds; or
One round in metal cylinder - 47.3 pounds

 Remarks: All three weapons employ the same cartridge case.  There are two types of this projectile.  One has a cardboard container, the other has a solid base and is poured filled.

A.P. Projectile for 88mm Anti-Tank Gun, 88mm

German Designation: 8.8cm Pzgr. Patr. 41 (Panzergranate Patrone 41)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 36
                       8.8cm Flak 41

Dimensions

Overall length w/o fuze (projectile): 13 inches

Distance from base to bands: 1.375 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.48 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 3.45 inches

Total weight (complete round): 22.8 pounds
Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 33.625 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.55 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.1 inches

Diameter at base: 4.65 inches

Weight of propellant: 5.38 kilograms
Type of propellant: Tubular Diglycol

Fuze: Bd. Z 5127

A.P. Projectile with Tungsten Carbide Core (Type 40), 88mm

German Designation: 8.8cm Pzgr. 40 (Panzergranate 40)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 36
                       8.8cm Flak 41

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 33.99 inches
Overall length (projectile): 12.75 inches
Distance from base to band: 1.166 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.437 inches
Diameter of bourrelet: 3.437 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 3.562 inches

Total weight (projectile): 16 pounds

Length of tungsten carbide core: 5.437 inches
Diameter of tungsten carbide core: 1.406 inches
Weight of tungsten carbide core: 4.25 pounds

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 22.4 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.625 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.812 inches

Diameter at base: 4.02 inches

Weight of case: 11.625 pounds

Type of propellant: Diglycol

Fuze: No fuze

Markings: Painted black

 Remarks: The cartridge case employed for Flak 41 is "8.8cm Flak 41" (Fixed).

H.E. Projectile Type L/4.7, 88mm

German Designation: Sprgr. Patr. L/4.7 (Sprenggranate Patrone Lange/4.7 FES)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 41
                       8.8cm Flak 43

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 47 inches
Overall length (projectile): 16.35 inches
Distance from base to band: 2.905 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.51 inches
Diameter of bourrelet: 3.425 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 3.031 inches
Total weight (complete round): 46.42 pounds

Total weight (projectile): 20.68 pounds

Weight of bursting charge: 1.9 pounds

Type of bursting charge: 40/60 Amatol

Overall length (cartridge case): 33.687 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.562 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 4.094 inches

Diameter at base: 4.844 inches

Type of propellant: Tubular Gudol
Fuze: Nose percussion fuze - AZ 23/28v; or
Mechanical time fuze - Zt. Z s/30

Markings: Painted yellow

A.P.C. Projectile for AA Gun 18, 88mm

German Designation: Pzgr. Patr. m.3d. Z. (Panzergranate Patrone mit Boden Zunder)

Employment: 8.8cm Flak 18
                       8.8cm Flak 36
                       8.8cm Flak 37

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 34.25 inches
Overall length (projectile): 13.25 inches

Width of bimetallic rotating band: 0.469 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 3.437 inches
Total weight (complete round): 35.2 pounds

Total weight (projectile): 20.75 pounds

Weight of bursting charge: 5.5 pounds

Type of bursting charge: TNT/Wax
Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 22.4 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.625 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.812 inches

Diameter at base: 4.02 inches
Weight of propellant: 5.65 pounds

Type of propellant: Tubular Diglycol
Fuze: Base detonating fuze - Bd. Z. f. 8.8cm

Markings: Painted black

Packaging: Three rounds to a wicker basket, or one round to a metal container.

Remarks: This projectile is the large cavity design of German A.P.C.

Next Time: 105mm Projectiles Part 1

German Projectiles - 76.2mm Projectiles

German Projectiles

H.E. Projectile Type 284, Russian, 76.2mm

German Designation: 7.62cm Sprgr. Patr. 284(r) (Sprenggranate Patrone 284 (russ) )

Employment: 7.62cm F.K. 296 r
                     7.62cm F.K. 36 r

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 29.156 inches
Overall length w/ fuze (projectile): 14.406 inches

Overall length w/o fuze (projectile): 12.719 inches
Distance from base to band: 3.375 inches

Width of copper rotating band: 0.5 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 3 inches
Width of bourrelet: 0.625 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 2.312 inches

Total weight (complete round): 18.04 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 13.64 pounds

Weight of bursting charge: 1.5 pounds

Type of Bursting Charge: TNT

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 15.125 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.07 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.062 inches

Diameter at base: 3.44 inches

Weight of propellant: 2.28 pounds

Type of propellant: Russian Nitrocellulose Powder

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze KTM1

Markings: Painted Grey-green with blue band below bourrelet

Packaging: Five rounds to a box - 132 pounds; or
Six rounds to a box - 171.6 pounds

 Remarks: This projectile of Russian manufacture is characterized by two unpainted bands, one at the shoulder, the other just above the rotating band.

There is a round designated "287r" similar to this except that the bursting charge is smaller.

Shrapnel Projectile, Russian, 76.2mm

German Designation: Not known

Employment: 7.62cm F.K. 296 r
                     7.62cm F.K. 36 r

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 26.281 inches
Overall length w/ fuze (projectile): 14 inches

Overall length w/o fuze (projectile): 9 inches
Distance from base to band: 2.531 inches

Width of rotating bands: 0.5 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 3 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 2.437 inches

Type of Bursting Charge: Black Powder

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 15.125 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.062 inches

Diameter at rim: 3.531 inches

Weight of propellant: 2.28 pounds

Type of propellant: Russian Nitrocellulose Powder

Fuze: Nose time fuze - combustion type - 253M

Markings: Painted Grey-green

Packaging: Six rounds to a wooden box

 Remarks: The projectile is filled with 48 more or less triangular pieces of steel 2.25 inches long which are ejected from the nose by a steel forcing plate behind which there is a charge of black powder.  The threads and two retaining screws of the collar are sheared by this action.

There is a Japanese projectile very similar in design to this, except that the triangular steel pieces are replaced by steel balls embedded in concrete.

A.P.C. Projectile (Russian) 76.2mm

German Designation: 7.62cm Pzgr. Patr. (r) (Panzergranate Patrone (russ) )

Employment: 7.62cm F.K. 296 r
                     7.62cm F.K. 36 r

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 25.375 inches
Overall length w/ fuze (projectile): 12.187 inches
Distance from base to band: 1.687 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.5 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 2.99 inches
Width of bourrelet: 0.687 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 2.71 inches

Total weight (projectile): 14.3 pounds

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 15.125 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.07 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.062 inches

Diameter at base: 3.44 inches

Weight of propellant: 2.519 pounds

Type of propellant: Russian Nitrocellulose Powder

Fuze: Base detonating fuze of Russian manufacture

Markings: Unpainted

Packaging: Five rounds to a box or six rounds to a box.

 Remarks: There is a short ballistic cap cannelured to the body of this russian projectile which is further characterized by two deep annular grooves forward of the bourrelet.

H.E. Projectile Type 39, 76.2mm

German Designation: 7.62cm Sprgr. Patr. 39 (Sprenggranate Patrone 39)

Employment: 7.62cm Pak. 36 r
                       7.62cm F.K. 36 r

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 39.52 inches
Overall length (projectile): 13.97 inches

Distance from base to band: 3.187 inches

Width of soft iron rotating band: 0.687 inches
Diameter at bourrelet: 2.95 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 2.312 inches

Total weight (complete round): 22 pounds
Total weight (projectile): 12.64 pounds

Weight of bursting charge: 568 grams

Type of Bursting Charge: Amatol

No tracer

Overall length (cartridge case): 15.16 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.07 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.11 inches

Diameter at base: 3.44 inches

Weight of propellant: 775 grams Flaked Gudol
                                                                       and 20 grams Potassium Sulphate flash reducer

Fuze: Nose percussion fuze K1 AZ 23

Markings: Painted Green with white band below nose fuze

Packaging: One round to a metal container - 28 pounds

 Remarks: This German projectile may also be found (Fixed) in the cartridge case 6340 for use in re-bored Russian equipment.

A.P. Projectile with Tungsten Carbide Core, 76.2mm

German Designation: Pzgr. Patr. 40(r) (Panzergranate Patrone 40(russ) )

Employment: 7.62cm F.K. 296 (r)
                     7.62cm F.K. 36 (r)
                    7.62cm Pak 36 (r)

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 24.28 inches
Overall length (projectile): 10.157 inches
Distance from base to band: 1 inch

Width of rotating band: 0.687 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 2.91 inches
Total weight (complete round): 14.74 pounds

Total weight (projectile): 9.13 pounds

Length of tungsten carbide core: 4.344 inches
Diameter of tungsten carbide core: 1.125 inches
Length of ballistic cap: 4.921 inches

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 15.125 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.07 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.062 inches

Diameter at base: 3.531 inches

Weight of propellant: 364 grams

Type of propellant: Tubular Diglycol

Fuze: No fuze

Markings: Painted black
"41 CYW/COB" stamped on body.

Packaging: Five rounds to a box - 110 pounds, or
           Six rounds to a box - 145 pounds

 Remarks: There is a bakelite sheath forward of the core, and a set-screw forward of the bourrelet.

This German projectile may be found (fixed) in the German case 6340 for use in captured weapons which the Germans have re-bored.

A.P. Projectile with Cap Type 39, 76.2mm

German Designation: 7.62cm Pzgr. Patr. 39(r) rot (Panzergranate Patrone 39(russ) rot )

Employment: 7.62cm Pak 36 (r)

Dimensions

Overall length (complete round): 26.219 inches
Overall length (projectile): 12.062 inches
Distance from base to band: 0.969 inches

Width of rotating band: 0.687 inches

Diameter of projectile base: 2.906 inches
Total weight (complete round): 16.72 pounds

Total weight (projectile): 9.13 pounds

Weight of bursting charge: 2.519 pounds
Type of bursting charge: Russian Nitrocellulose powder

or

Weight of bursting charge: 2.886 pounds
Type of bursting charge: Tubular Diglycol

Tracer present

Overall length (cartridge case): 15.125 inches

Diameter at case neck: 3.07 inches

Diameter at case shoulder: 3.062 inches

Diameter at base: 3.44 inches

Weight of propellant: 775 grams Flaked Gudol
                                                                       and 20 grams Potassium Sulphate flash reducer

Fuze: Base detonating fuze - Bd. Z. f 7.5cm

Markings: Painted black with white tip

Packaging: One round to a metal container - 34.32 pounds

 Remarks: This German projectile may be found (fixed) in the German case 6340 for use in captured weapons which the Germans have re-bored.

A 7.62 A.P. Projectile with a small bursting cavity containing RDX is also made.  Bd. Z 5103 will be found in this type.

Next Time: 88mm Projectiles