| 45 mm M1937 53-К "Сорокопятка" (Sorokapjatka) "Прощай, Родина" (Proshhaj, rodina) | |
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| General Historical Information | |
| Place of origin: | USSR |
| Category: | Anti-Tank gun |
| Used by: |
USSR |
| Debut in FHSW: | Debut in FH mod |
| Passengers: | 1 or 2 |
| Calibre: | 45mm |
| Ammunition: | AP 127 rounds |
| Elevation: | -8° to 25° |
| Traverse: | 60° |
| Rate of Fire: | 17 rpm |
| Mobile: | Yes |
| Used by vehicles / ships: | BT-7, T-26, T-35, KV-8 |
| Position 1: | Driver or gunner |
| Position 2: |
gunner |
| Historical Picture | |
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The gun bearing factory designation 53-K (Cyrillic 53-К) was a combination of a modified carriage of the 37 mm anti-tank gun model 1931 (built according to a documentation bought from Rheinmetall) with a 45 mm barrel. The resulting light semi-automatic anti-tank gun was adopted for Red Army service in 1937, and thus known as "45 mm anti-tank gun M1937" (Russian: 45-мм противотанковая пушка образца 1937 года). These guns were used in the first stage of the German-Soviet War, but their anti-armor capabilities allowed them to fight successfully only with German light tanks and armored personnel carriers. Early models of the Panzer III and Panzer IV could also be knocked out at close range, but this put Soviet artillerymen in greater danger. Due to these circumstances, model 1937 guns were replaced with the all-new design, the more powerful model 1942. The mass production of outdated model 1937 guns was stopped in 1943. The total number of guns produced was 37,354.
Two such guns were employed as an anti-tank platoons, organic to each rifle battalion. Additionally a dozen (12 guns) was in anti-tank battalions at a level of a rifle division. It was also used by separate anti-tank regiments (4-5 batteries of 4 guns each). The gun was also used as an anti-aircraft gun with in different pedestal mounts by the Soviet navy. There was no special ammunition anti-air use, a round with a time fuse could damage an aircraft even if it did not hit directly if it detonated nearby.
Ingame, its appearance is similar to the 3.7 cm Pak 36 and perfomance is similar despite difference in calibre. It can towed by both the T-20 and Universal Carrier. This AT gun is installed on BT-7, T-26 and T-35 tanks under the name of 20-K, though perfomance is the same.
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