Light, Mobile, and Deadly: the French Mle 1937 25mm Puteaux AT Gun

Published on March 20, 2020
Duration: 16:20

The French Mle 1937 Puteaux 25mm anti-tank gun, while mobile, was quickly outclassed by heavier armor in WWII. It featured a semi-automatic breech and a unique manual recocking requirement after dry-firing to prevent damage. Captured examples were designated Pak 113(f) by the Germans and saw service in Finland.

Quick Summary

The French Mle 1937 Puteaux 25mm anti-tank gun was designed for mobility with infantry but had limited transport speeds due to lack of suspension. Its 25mm caliber became obsolete against heavier WWII armor, though it achieved 3,150 fps and could penetrate ~40mm of armor.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Mle 1937 Puteaux
  2. 01:45Design Philosophy and Limitations
  3. 03:30Deployment and Setup
  4. 06:59Markings and History
  5. 07:51Mechanical Operation
  6. 09:47Sighting and Firing
  7. 11:51Ammunition and Performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of the French Mle 1937 Puteaux 25mm anti-tank gun?

The Mle 1937 Puteaux was designed as a light, mobile anti-tank gun intended to accompany front-line infantry. It replaced the older, lower-velocity Mle 1916 37mm cannon and prioritized portability for battlefield maneuverability.

What were the limitations of the Mle 1937 Puteaux 25mm AT gun?

Its primary limitations included a lack of suspension, restricting transport speeds, and its 25mm caliber quickly became obsolete against the heavier armor developed during World War II. It also had a critical flaw requiring manual recocking after dry-firing.

What kind of ammunition did the Mle 1937 Puteaux fire?

The gun fired a 25x193mmR cartridge. Due to its small caliber, it primarily used armor-piercing (AP) and AP-tracer rounds, achieving a muzzle velocity of 3,150 fps.

What happened to French Mle 1937 guns captured during WWII?

Captured Mle 1937 Puteaux 25mm anti-tank guns were designated Pak 113(f) by the German military. Some of these captured weapons were subsequently supplied to the Finnish military for their use.

More Reviews Videos You Might Like

More from Forgotten Weapons

View all →