×
Aircraft / Aviation Vehicles & Artillery Small Arms Warships & Submarines Military Ranks Military Pay Chart (2024) Special Forces
HOME
ARMOR INDEX
MODERN ARMIES
ARMOR BY COUNTRY
VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS
COMPARE VEHICLES
VEHICLES BY CONFLICT
VEHICLES BY TYPE
VEHICLES BY DECADE
COLD WAR VEHICLES
WWII VEHICLES & ARTILLERY

Land Systems / Battlefield


M-42 (Model 1942)


Towed Anti-Tank Gun [ 1942 ]



The Model 1942 was an improved, longer-barrel form of the original 45mm Model 1937 for the Soviet Army.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/08/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]
As the effectiveness of the Soviet 45mm anti-tank gun Model 1937 dwindled in the face of newer German tank offerings, it was decided to revise the once-proven format to a more powerful design. This became the Model 1942 which introduced a longer barrel, pressed-steel rims (instead of metal-spoked ones), and lengthened split trail arms. The lengthening of the gun tube provided additional muzzle velocity which increased penetration values of the original gun. Firing an AP or HE projectile, the Model 1942 could retain the double-duty nature of the original Model 1937 and then some. The Model 1937 was also known by its product designation of "M-42".

On the whole, the Model 1942 kept much of the form and function of the preceding design and its roots could be traced back to the German 37mm AT gun purchased by the Soviets in the early 1930s. These were adopted as the Model 1930 before the design was revised to become the 45mm caliber Model 1937 of the Soviet Army. The carriage was of a split-trail arrangement which served to haul the vehicle (by way of towing) and helped to entrench the system as a recoil measure prior to firing. A simple (though thicker), hinged three-panel gunshield protected the crew (to an extent) and optics supplied the necessary ranged assistance. The carriage also included two rubber-tired road wheels for road travel and to allow the gunnery crew to make small positional adjustments as necessary. The mounting hardware gave an elevation span of -8 to +25 degrees with a traversal of 60-degrees from centerline.

The weapon fired a 45x386mmR projectile and a trained crew could fire up to 20 rounds per minute in extreme circumstances. Muzzle velocity was rated at 2,855 feet per second with a maximum firing range out to 4.55 kilometers. While they proved more effective in combat than the preceding marks, they still lacked the caliber size and penetration powers necessary to tackle the newer generation of German tanks - uparmored Panzer IVs, the Panther, the Tiger, and the King Tiger. Numbers of Model 1942 guns still forced their active use despite their battlefield limitations. In time, resources were dedicated to production of the 57mm ZiS-2 AT gun systems and, ultimately, the storied 76.2mm ZiS-3 line.

Production of the Model 1942 series stemmed from the No. 172 Plant and spanned from 1942 into 1945. This work netted some 10,843 total units which also saw service in the post-war years.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications



State Arsenals - Soviet Union
Manufacturer(s)
Soviet Union
Operators National flag of the Soviet Union
1942
Service Year
Soviet Union
National Origin
5
Crew
10,843
Units


FIRE SUPPORT / ASSAULT / BREACHING
Support allied forces through direct / in-direct fire, assault forward positions, and / or breach fortified areas of the battlefield.


1,378 lb
(625 kg)
Weight


None. This is a towed artillery piece.
Drive System
3 miles
(5 km)
Road Range


1 x 45mm main gun tube
AMMUNITION
Dependent upon ammunition carrier.


45mm Anti-Tank Gun Model 1942 - Base Series Designation.
M1942 - Short-form Designation
M-42 - Alternative Designation


Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War
Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft
Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War
Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of the Bulge
Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Kursk
Military lapel ribbon for the Cold War
Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War
Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars
Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War
Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War
Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft
Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War
Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War
Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War
Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War
Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1
Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2
Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur War
Military lapel ribbon for experimental military vehicles

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.


©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)