Was this anti-tank gun too high-tech? The Panzerbüchse 38 with firearms expert Jonathan Ferguson

Published on September 29, 2021
Duration: 14:48

The Panzerbüchse 38 was an early German anti-tank rifle featuring a unique dropping block action and a recoiling barrel system. Despite its high-velocity 7.92mm round, it was deemed too heavy and complex, leading to the development of the simpler Panzerbüchse 39. Its design incorporated features like a folding stock and a 10-round external hopper for manual loading.

Quick Summary

The Panzerbüchse 38 was a German anti-tank rifle featuring a unique dropping block action and recoiling barrel. It fired a high-velocity 7.92x94mm round at 3,500 fps but was replaced by the simpler PzB 39 due to its weight and complexity.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Panzerbüchse 38
  2. 00:59Evolution of Anti-Tank Rifles
  3. 03:53Mechanical Features and Stock
  4. 05:31Breech Mechanism and Recoil
  5. 09:01Muzzle and Recoil Mitigation
  6. 10:09Ammunition Hopper and Loading
  7. 11:37Production and Legacy

Frequently Asked Questions

What made the Panzerbüchse 38's action unique?

The Panzerbüchse 38 featured a complex dropping block action combined with a recoiling barrel/breech assembly. This system used recoil to eject the spent casing, but required manual loading and closing of the block for each shot, earning it a 'semi-semi-automatic' designation.

What caliber and velocity did the Panzerbüchse 38 use?

The Panzerbüchse 38 fired a high-velocity 7.92x94mm Patrone 318 cartridge. This round achieved a muzzle velocity of approximately 3,500 feet per second (1,067 meters per second) to penetrate early tank armor.

Why was the Panzerbüchse 38 replaced by the Panzerbüchse 39?

Despite its advanced features, the PzB 38 was deemed too heavy at 35 lbs and overly complex for mass production and field use. The subsequent PzB 39 simplified the design, making it lighter and easier to manufacture and operate.

Did the Panzerbüchse 38 have a magazine?

No, the Panzerbüchse 38 did not use a magazine. It featured a 10-round external ammunition hopper attached to the side, which served as a storage device to speed up the manual loading process of its single-shot action.

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