A report on the German 42/28-mm tapered-bore antitank gun, from Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 37, November 4, 1943. [DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

NEW GERMAN 42/28-MM AT GUN A brief preliminary report has recently come in from an Allied source concerning the new German small-caliber, taper-bored 42/28-mm (1.65 in-1.10 in) AT gun. This model has apparently made its appearance only this year, and in small numbers. Its muzzle velocity is stated as 4,100 feet per second, which is high for even so extreme a type of artillery. As will be noted from the accompanying sketch, no muzzle brake is fitted, which seems rather odd in a weapon of this type, but its absence would permit the use of spigot grenades. Further details will be reported as soon as they are released, but the following are now available: Characteristics: Caliber   -   42/28-mm (1.65 in-1.10 in) Muzzle velocity   -   4,100 f/s Rate of fire   -   10 to 12 rounds per minute Horizontal angle of fire   -   44° Vertical angle of fire from   -   -8° to +32° Weight in firing position   -   990 lbs Penetration   -   2.52 in of armor plate at a range of 547 yds This gun is mounted on the old-type 37-mm antitank gun mount, but is a greatly improved antitank gun on account of its better penetration, due to its stepped-up muzzle velocity. The walls of the breech have been reinforced. This gun was manufactured at the Rhinemetall factory.

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