76 mm air defense gun M1931

The 76 mm air defense gun M1931 (Russian: 76-мм зенитная пушка обр. 1931 г.) was an anti-aircraft gun used by the Soviet Union during the Winter War and the first stages of World War II.

76 mm air defense gun M1931
76 mm M1931 at Kempele, Finland.
TypeAnti-aircraft gun
Place of originSoviet Union
Service history
Used bySoviet Union
Finland
Nazi Germany
WarsWinter War
World War II
Production history
Produced1931–1938
Specifications
MassTravel: 4,820 kg (10,630 lb)
Combat: 3,650 kg (8,050 lb)
Barrel length4.1 m (13 ft 5 in) L/55
Crew10[1]
ShellFixed QF 76.2 × 558 mm. R[2]
Shell weight6.6 kg (14 lb 9 oz)
Caliber76.2 mm (3 in)
BreechSemi-automatic vertical sliding-wedge
RecoilHydro-pneumatic
CarriageTwo-wheeled carriage with collapsible cruciform outriggers
Elevation−2° to +82°
Traverse360°[1]
Rate of fire10–20 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity815 m/s (2,670 ft/s)
Maximum firing range9.3 km (31,000 ft) AA ceiling[1]

History

The configuration of the air defense gun M1931 owed much to the design of the contemporary Vickers 3-inch anti-aircraft guns. The Soviet M1931 like the Vickers gun had a two-wheeled carriage with collapsible cruciform outriggers.[1]

The M1931 was replaced in production in 1938 by the 76 mm air defense gun M1938 which had a four-wheeled dual-axle carriage with two collapsible outriggers. The M1931 and M1938 had nearly identical performance and were gradually replaced by the more powerful 85 mm air defense gun M1939.[1]

A number of M1931 guns were captured by Finland during the Winter War and were employed by them as the 76 ItK/31 ss during World War II.[3] Likewise, M1931 guns captured by the Germans were given the designation 7.62 cm Flak M.31(r) and used until they were either worn out or their ammunition supply ran out. A few were rebored to fire German 8.8 cm ammunition and redesignated the 7.62/8.8 cm Flak M.31(r). However, the majority were scrapped in 1944.[1]

Notes
  1. Chamberlain, Peter; Gander, Terry (1975). Anti-aircraft guns. New York: Arco Pub. Co. p. 62. ISBN 0668038187. OCLC 2000222.
  2. "77-77 MM CALIBRE CARTRIDGES". www.quarryhs.co.uk. Retrieved 2017-09-13.
  3. "FINNISH ARMY 1918 - 1945: ANTIAIRCRAFT GUNS PART 3". www.jaegerplatoon.net. Retrieved 2017-09-13.

References
  • Shunkov V. N. - The Weapons of the Red Army, Mn. Harvest, 1999 (Шунков В. Н. - Оружие Красной Армии. — Мн.: Харвест, 1999.) ISBN 985-433-469-4
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