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.
| 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 g1 |
190 g |
Additional Reading
- Pz Kpfw III
- Information about the Panzerkampfwagen III.
Notes
- Depending on powder type. Back
Sources
- Geschoßringbuch Band I. Berlin : Heereswaffenamt, 1939. 111 p. D 460/1+.
- Koch. Handbuch Die Munition der deutschen Geschütze und Werfer. Berlin : Heereswaffenamt, 1940. 324 p. D 435/1.
- Koch. Panzerkampfwagen III Ausf. E bis J : Gerätbeschreibung und Bedienungsanweisung zum Aufbau - Heft I. Berlin : Heereswaffenamt, 1942. 64 p. D 652/19.
- von Wedelstaedt. Zusammenstellung der Explosivstoffgewichte für deutsche Munition (zu H. Dv. 450 Rdnr. 46). Berlin : Heereswaffenamt, 1944. 39 p. Merkblatt geheim 28/1.