Rukavishnikov anti-tank rifle of the 1939 model
Rukavishnikov anti-tank rifle of the 1939 model
Large-scale work on the development of anti-tank rifles (ATR) in the USSR began by a government decree of March 13, 1936. In 1936-1938, 15 different anti-tank systems of caliber from 12.7 to 25 mm were tested, until it became clear that the requirements for the anti-tank rifle were initially overstated. On November 9, 1938, the Artillery Directorate of the Red Army formulated a new task, which provided for the development of a 14.5-mm self-loading anti-tank rifle that could be constantly with the units of a rifle company on any terrain and in any combat conditions.
Work on the powerful 14.5x114 mm cartridge, which began in 1934, was carried out at the Scientific Test Site for Small Arms (NIPSVO) and continued at one of the Moscow factories. With this ammunition in mind, an employee of the same training ground, NV Rukavishnikov, designed a fairly successful self-loading rifle with a rate of fire of up to 15 rounds per minute.
In August 1939, field tests of 14.5 mm anti-tank rifles were carried out, in which the Rukavishnikov anti-tank rifle was recognized as the best. This gun was easy to handle and operate, had good maneuverability and rate of fire, had small dimensions and was easily carried by two fighters using shoulder straps attached to the front and rear handles, designed for carrying at short distances. Delays were easily eliminated without the use of a special tool. In terms of armor penetration, the gun fully met the requirements: it penetrated 20 mm cemented armor at an angle of 20 ° at a distance of 500 m.
| Caliber, mm | 14.5x114 |
|---|---|
| Length, mm | 1775 |
| Barrel length, mm | 1180 |
| Weight, kg | 24.0 |
| Magazine, number of cartridges | 5 |
| Rate of firerds/min | 15 |
| Sightingrange, m | 1000 |
| Muzzle velocity, m/s | 1010 |
| Armor penetration,(distance / | |
| angle of encounter /penetration) | 100 m / 90o/ 30 mm400 m / 90o/ 22 mm |
The Rukavishnikov anti-tank missile system worked on the principle of removing powder gases from the barrel bore, locking was carried out by turning the bolt.
The percussion mechanism is of the firing pin type. The cartridge primer broke the massive firing pin under the action of a mainspring mounted in the firing pin. The trigger mechanism had a flag-type safety located on the right side of the trigger guard.
Extraction and reflection of the spent cartridge case was carried out using an extractor mounted on the bolt and a reflector rigidly attached to the rear of the receiver.
The weapon was fed with ammunition from a detachable box magazine with a capacity of 5 rounds, attached to the left side of the receiver.
Sights consisted of an open sector-type sight, designed for a range of up to 1000 m, and a front sight.
To reduce the significant recoil force, a three-chamber muzzle brake was mounted on the barrel, and a sponge rubber cushion was mounted on the butt plate of the wooden butt.
Rukavishnikov’s PTR was mounted on a wheeled carriage with motorcycle wheels. There was also a bipod option, but shooting from it was difficult.
On October 7, 1939, the Defense Committee under the Council of People’s Commissars of the USSR adopted a resolution on the introduction into service of the Red Army (Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army) 14.5-mm anti-tank rifle of the Rukavishnikov system under the name “14.5-mm anti-tank rifle mod. 1939."
It was planned to produce 50 guns in 1939, and 15,000 guns in 1940. However, due to the erroneous belief that enemy tanks would have strong armor, at least 60-80 mm, against which anti-tank rifles would be helpless, and that the Soviet Army was equipped with a sufficient amount of artillery to suppress enemy tanks, the deployment of their production was slowed down in every possible way, and during For 8 months, only a few guns were made. In addition, repeated tests of the Rukavishnikov PTR showed its high sensitivity to contamination, unmasking the position by dust raised by gases from the muzzle brake. The gun needed improvement and was withdrawn from service and production on July 26, 1940.
Despite the removal of the Rukavishnikov system anti-tank rifle from service, work on its improvement did not stop. The Small Arms Directorate instructed NIPSVO to modify the Rukavishnikov anti-tank rifle of the 1939 model.
A modified and slightly modified model was tested in June 1941. Based on their results, on June 23, 1941, it was recommended that an improved model of the Rukavishnikov system anti-tank rifle be adopted by the Red Army. On July 8, 1941, after a demonstration, the 14.5-mm Rukavishnikov anti-tank rifle was again presented to the Main Military Council for adoption. Compared to similar foreign models, it had significant advantages in combat and operational qualities, but was rejected due to the complexity of the design, which in the conditions of that time (the beginning of the Great Patriotic War) became of great importance. An attempt to organize mass production of Rukavishnikov rifles at the beginning of the war was unsuccessful. Finishing and putting it into production would require a lot of time. True, individual Rukavishnikov anti-tank rifles were used in parts of the Western Front during the defense of Moscow.