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Germany - Infantry Antitank Weapons |
Panzerfaust
VariantsPanzerfaust 30 klein ("small") or Faustpatrone
This was the original version, first delivered in August 1943 with a total weight of 3.2 kilograms (7.1 lb) and overall length of 98.5 cm (38.8 in). The "30" was indicative of the nominal maximum range of 30 m (33 yd). It had a 3.3 cm (1.3 in) diameter tube containing 54 grams (1.9 oz) of black powder propellant launching a 10 cm (3.9 in) warhead carrying 400 g (14 oz) of explosive. The projectile traveled at just 30 m (98 ft) per second and could penetrate 140 mm (5.5 in) of armour. Panzerfaust 30 An improved version also appearing in August 1943. This version had a larger warhead for improved armor penetration, 200 mm (7.9 in) of steel and 5.5 inches (140 mm) of armored steel, but the same range of 30 meters. It has an explosive charge of 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg) of explosive material. Its barrel has a caliber of 1.7 inches (43 mm) and a length of 40.6 inches (103 cm). It has a weight of 11.2 pounds (5.1 kg) and a muzzle velocity of 148 feet per second (45 m/s). Panzerfaust 60 This was the most common version, and was completed in early 1944. However, it did not reach full production until September 1944, when 400,000 were to be produced each month. It had a much more practical range of 60 m (66 yd), although with a muzzle velocity of only 45 m (148 ft) per second it would take 1.3 seconds for the warhead to reach a tank at that range. To achieve the higher velocity, the tube diameter was increased to 5 cm (2.0 in) and 134 g (4.7 oz) of propellant used while being a total length of 104 cm (41 in). It also had an improved flip-up rear sight and trigger mechanism. The weapon now weighed 6.1 kg (13 lb). It could defeat 200 mm (7.9 in) of armour. Panzerfaust 100 This was the final version produced in quantity, and was completed in September 1944. However, it did not reach full production until November 1944. It had a nominal maximum range of 100 m (330 ft). 190 g (6.7 oz) of propellant launched the warhead at 60 m (200 ft) per second from a 6 cm (2.4 in) diameter tube. The sight had holes for 30, 60, 80 and 150 m (260 and 490 ft), and had luminous paint in them to make counting up to the correct one easier in the dark. This version weighed 6 kg (13 lb) and could penetrate 220 mm (8.7 in) of armour. Panzerfaust 150 This was a major redesign of the weapon, and was deployed in limited numbers near the end of the war. The firing tube was reinforced and reusable for up to ten shots. A new pointed warhead with increased armour penetration and two-stage propellant ignition gave a higher velocity of 85 m (279 ft) per second. Production started in March 1945, two months before the end of the war. Panzerfaust 250 The last development of the Panzerfaust series was the Panzerfaust 250. It used a reloadable tube and now featured a pistol grip. With propellants in both the firing tube and on the projectile itself it was projected to reach a projectile speed of 150 m/s (490 feet/s). Serial production was scheduled to begin in September 1945. However, the development of this weapon was never completed and none were ever produced. |
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Other Users
- Bulgaria
- Finland
- Hungary
- Italian Social Republic
- Poland (use of captured Panzerfäuste during the war, limited use post-war under a designation PG-49).
- Czechoslovakia: The Czech resistance used captured Panzerfäuste during the Prague uprising.
- Romania
- Soviet Union (mass usage of captured Panzerfäuste in 1945).
- United States U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division used captured examples, from Operation Husky—VE Day
The Museums Display Piece:
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