Bofors 37 mm anti-tank gun

Bofors 37 mm anti-tank gun
Polish wz.36 anti-tank gun.
Type	Anti-tank gun
Place of origin	Sweden
Service history
Used by	See Operators
Production history
Designed	1934
Manufacturer	Bofors
Produced	1935 –
Specifications
Mass	370 kg (816 lbs)
Length	3.04 m (10.0 ft)
Barrel length	1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) 45 calibers
Width	1.09 m (3 ft 7 in)
Height	1.03 m (3 ft 5 in)
Shell	Fixed QF 37×258 mm R
Shell weight	.74 kg (1 lb 10 oz)[1]
Caliber	37 mm (1.45 in)
Breech	vertical sliding-block
Carriage	split trail
Elevation	-10° to 25°
Traverse	50°
Rate of fire	12 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity	800–870 m/s (2,625-2,854 ft/s)
Effective firing range	4,000 m (4,374 yds)
Maximum firing range	6,500 m (7,108 yds)

The Bofors 37 mm anti-tank gun was an anti-tank gun designed by Swedish manufacturer Bofors in the early 1930s originally for Swedish use. It was exported to several countries during the 1930s of which several bought licences to produce it themselves. The gun was used in several conflicts but most of its fame comes from its use in the Spanish Civil War and the Winter War where it was used very successfully against light tanks and armored cars among other targets. Beyond its use as an infantry gun it was also used as the main armament in several armored cars and tanks such as the Dutch M39 Pantserwagen and the Polish 7TP to name a few. As the armor of tanks was increased during World War II the gun very quickly became obsolete as an anti-tank gun but was still used effectively as an infantry support gun for the entirety of the war, and well into the Cold War. This was due to its high fire rate, great mobility and effective high explosive shells.