| 5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 38 (L/60) | |
|---|---|
PaK 38 |
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| Type | Anti-Tank Gun |
| Place of origin | Nazi Germany |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1940–1945 |
| Used by | Germany |
| Wars | Second World War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1938 |
| Manufacturer | Rheinmetall-Borsig |
| Produced | 1940–1945 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 830 kg (1,800 lb) |
| Length | 4.75 m (15.6 ft) |
| Barrel length | 3 m (10 ft) L/60 |
| Width | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Height | 1.05 m (3 ft 5 in) |
| Crew | 5 |
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| Shell | 50×419 mm. R 5 cm Pzgr. 5 cm Pzgr.39 5 cm Pzgr.40 5 cm Pzgr.40/1 Sprgr. Pak 38 |
| Caliber | 50 mm (1.97 in) |
| Action | Semi-automatic |
| Breech | Horizontal sliding wedge |
| Carriage | Split-trail |
| Elevation | -8°–±27° |
| Traverse | 65° |
| Rate of fire | 13 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 550-1,130 m/s (1,804-3,707 ft/s) |
| Feed system | Manual |
| Sights | Z.F. 3x8° |
The 5 cm PaK 38 (L/60) (5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 38 (L/60)) was a German anti-tank gun of 50 mm calibre. It was developed in 1938 by Rheinmetall-Borsig AG as a successor to the 37 mm PaK 36, and was in turn followed by the 75 mm PaK 40.
The PaK 38 was first used by the German forces during the Second World War in April 1941. When the Germans faced Soviet tanks in 1941 during Operation Barbarossa, the PaK 38 was one of the few early guns capable of effectively penetrating the 45 mm (1.8 in) armor of the formidable T-34. Additionally, the gun was also equipped with Panzergranate 40 APCR shots which had a hard tungsten core, in an attempt to penetrate the armor of the heavier KV-1 tank. Although it was replaced by more powerful weapons, it remained a potent and useful weapon and remained in service with the Wehrmacht until the end of the war.
The Pak 38 carriage was also used for the 7.5cm Pak 97/38 and the 7.5cm PaK 50(f) guns.