The 5 cm Kampfwagenkanone was designed for the Pz Kpfw III to replace the 3,7 cm Kampfwagenkanone. The ammunition had a smaller charge than that for the longer-barreled 5 cm Kampfwagenkanone 39 (L/60) and 5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 38.

Technical Information

5 cm Kampfwagenkanone
Dimensions
Caliber 50 mm
Barrel length 2100 mm
Barrel length in calibers 42
Length of rifled part 1625 mm
Length of rifled part in calibers 32.5
Weights
Total weight of gun 400 kg
Weight of barrel 128 kg
Mount and usage
Traverse 360°
Maximum elevation 20°
Minimum depression 10°

Armor Penetration

Round Shot type Weight (shot) Muzzle velocity Range
100 m 500 m 1000 m 1500 m
5 cm Pzgr. AP-HE-T 2.06 kg 685 m/s 53 mm 43 mm 32 mm 24 mm
5 cm Pzgr. 39 APC-HE-T 2.06 kg 685 m/s 55 mm 47 mm 37 mm 28 mm
5 cm Pzgr. 40 APCR-T 0.925 kg 1050 m/s 94 mm 55 mm - -

Ammunition

5 cm Pzgr. Patr. Kw K 5 cm Pzgr. Patr. 39 Kw K 5 cm Pzgr. Patr. 40 Kw K 5 cm Sprgr. Patr. 38 Kw K
Type
Type AP-HE-T APC-HE-T APCR-T HE-T
Physical Characteristics
Weight, shot 2.06 kg 2.06 kg 0.925 kg 1.82 kg
Weight, crate with six rounds 28.6 kg 28.6 kg 21.76 kg 25.0 kg
Weight, airtight crate with six rounds 30.8 kg 30.8 kg 24.0 kg 27.2 kg
Length, round 419.9 mm 426.0 mm 345.0 mm 474.6 mm
Muzzle velocity 685 m/s 685 m/s 1050 m/s 450 m/s
Muzzle energy 483 kJ 483 kJ 510 kJ -
Explosive Contents
Weight, shot 17 g 17 g 0 g 170 g
Weight, propellant 530 g 530 g 567 g or 525 g1Depending on powder type. 190 g

Additional Reading

Notes

  1. Depending on powder type. Back

Sources

  1. Geschoßringbuch Band I. Berlin : WaA, 1939. 111 p. D 460/1+.
  2. Koch. Handbuch Die Munition der deutschen Geschütze und Werfer. Berlin : Heereswaffenamt, 1940. 324 p. D 435/1.
  3. Koch. Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf. E bis J : Gerätbeschreibung und Bedienungsanweisung zum Aufbau - Heft I. Berlin : WaA, 1942. 64 p. D 652/19.
  4. von Wedelstaedt. Zusammenstellung der Explosivstoffgewichte für deutsche Munition (zu H. Dv. 450 Rdnr. 46). Berlin : WaA, 1944. 39 p. Merkblatt geheim 28/1.