PzB M.SS.41
DESCRIPTION
PzB M.SS.41 — a Czechoslovak bullpup anti-tank rifle produced in the early 1940s in Brno; after the occupation some batches were supplied to German units, including Waffen-SS formations. It’s a long-barrel, heavy field system (roughly 1.3–1.4 m overall, weight on the order of ~13 kg) chambered for a very powerful, long cartridge — intended to defeat light armor, firing ports and fortifications at extended ranges rather than to take on medium or heavy tanks.
The layout is unusual: a bullpup arrangement with a fixed breechblock and a moving barrel — reloading is done by sliding the barrel while the breech remains in the rear housing. This allowed a very long effective barrel in a relatively compact overall package. The rifle was commonly fitted with an optical sight and a detachable bipod; when deployed on its bipod it delivers good accuracy and tight grouping out to 300–500 m, but from the shoulder or unsupported the heavy recoil and mass sharply reduce practical accuracy.
Combat characteristics: very high kinetic energy and penetration versus light armor and cover, able to neutralize armored cars, half-tracks, machine-gun embrasures and exposed components at combat ranges. It deals heavy single-shot damage to infantry protected by light cover. Tradeoffs are low rate of fire (small detachable magazine, manual barrel action), long and deliberate reloads, and significant mobility penalties due to weight and bulk — it’s a niche, positional weapon for anti-vehicle/anti-position tasks rather than a general-purpose infantry arm.
Visual/handling cues: a long slim barrel with a distinctive muzzle brake, a bulky rear housing around the breech/stock area, a box magazine mounted beneath or to the side, and a folding bipod. The silhouette reads as a purpose-built field anti-tank rifle designed for deliberate, aimed single shots from prepared positions.
CHARACTERISTICS
Caliber: 7.92 mm (cartridge length ≈ 7.92×94 mm)
Cartridge: heavy, long-case armor-piercing round (historical variants exist)
Overall length: 1.35 m (1.30–1.40 m)
Barrel length: 1.10 m
Weight (unloaded): 13 kg
Magazine capacity: 5–10 rounds
Practical rate of fire: 15–20 rounds/min (low due to manual action and reloading)
Muzzle velocity: 900–1,000 m/s (varies with projectile)
Effective engagement range (light armor / firing ports): 300–500 m (optimal ~200–300 m)
Maximum sighting range: 800–1,000 m (theoretical; practical accuracy drops)
Sights: optical sight (adjustable); long-range aiming graduations
Stabilization/support: folding bipod; poor accuracy from shoulder/fire without support due to heavy recoil
Action / notable feature: bullpup layout with fixed breechblock and moving barrel (reloaded by sliding the barrel)
Role: positional anti-armor/anti-emplacement rifle — effective versus light armored vehicles, embrasures and fortifications; ineffective against mid/heavy tanks
Origin / service period: Czechoslovak design, manufactured early 1940s; some units supplied to German formations (including Waffen-SS)