38 cm schwerer Ladungswerfer

38 cm schwerer Ladungswerfer
Type Spigot Mortar
Place of origin Nazi Germany
Service history
Used by Nazi Germany
Wars Second World War
Production history
Designer Rheinmetall
Specifications
Weight 1,600 kg (3,500 lb)
Barrel length 168 cm (5 ft 6 in)
Diameter 38 cm (1 ft 3 in)

Shell 149 kilograms (328 lb)
Caliber 169 millimetres (6.7 in) (spigot diameter)
Elevation 37° to 85°
Traverse 360°
Maximum firing range 1,000 m (1,100 yd)
Filling weight 110 pounds (50 kg)

The 38 cm schwerer Ladungswerfer (38 cm sLdgW) was a spigot mortar used by Germany during World War II. It was used by engineers to demolish obstacles and strongpoints. It proved to be too heavy for its role and it was gradually withdrawn from front-line service.

Propellant was placed at the top of the spigot and ignited when the projectile slid far enough down the spigot to complete the electrical circuit. The spigot mortar was mounted on a traversing bracket on a drum-shaped platform that was staked to the ground. It fired HE and smoke rounds.

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