The RM-38 was a Soviet 50 mm light infantrymortar. The barrel was clamped at two elevation angles only - 45 and 75 degrees. Range variations were made by altering a sleeve round the base of the barrel. This sleeve opened a series of gas ports which bled off exhaust gases and so determined the range.
45°: 800 m (870 yd) 75°: 402 m (440 yd) 82°: 100 m (110 yd)
The project was deemed overly complex and expensive, and was only produced for a short time, before being replaced by the Model 1939. Despite the small number produced, some fell into German hands in 1941, who introduced them as the 5 cm Granatwerfer 205/1(r).
The RM-38 or 50-RM 38 (50-mm company mortar model 1938) was based on the British Stokes mortar. It was further developed as the RM-39 and RM40.[1]
The Red Army of the USSR divided mortars into company (RM Rotnyy Minomet) battalion (BM Batalonnyy Minomet) and regimental (PM Polkovoy Minomet) mortars. Development of a light 50mm company mortar started in 1937. The RM-38 was approved for use in 1938 and entered production in 1939. In the space of just over a year RM-39, RM-40 and RM-41 replaced each other in succession. RM-41 remained in production until 1943, when the USSR decided to cease making 50mm mortars. Only the RM-41 was a new design with the others being incremental improvements of the original RM-38.
Design ImprovementsEdit
The problem of having only two fixed elevations and thus needing to adjust the range with the complex adjustment of gas escape made for inaccurate ranging and was dangerous to the mortar crew as well. The minimum shooting range of 200 m was felt to be impractical in Red Army use as well.
RM-39 added a protective shield which directed the escaping hot gases away from the operator.
Barrels got shorter with each new model.
VariantsEdit
RM39
Barrel Length: 77.5 cm
Weight: 14 or 17 kg
RM40
Barrel Length: 63 cm
Weight: 12.1 kg
50mm RM-41Edit
Essentially a new design, influenced by German 50mm mortars, which was continued in use until 50mm mortars were removed from Soviet Army service. This mortar was without a tripod but instead relied on its barrel yoke which contained traverse and elevation adjustments. The gases now vented under the muzzle via a tube.
UseEdit
All models saw widespread use by the USSR in World War II. Captured in large numbers, they were also re-used by the Finns and Germans. After World War II the USSR supplied them to North Korea and Vietnam.
The Finns were apparently not impressed with these Russian 50mm mortars, giving them mildly derogatory nicknames - "Naku" and "Tiltu", and not being over-zealous about re-issuing them.
The Finns found the RM-39 relatively accurate in use and getting the mortar ready to fire took only about one minute. The mortar was no substitute for the 80-82mm mortars however, perhaps due to only having 100g of TNT in the shell, less than some hand grenades.
ReferencesEdit
^"Finnish Army 1918 - 1945: 47 Mm - 60 Mm Mortars".
soviet, light, infantry, mortar, barrel, clamped, elevation, angles, only, degrees, range, variations, were, made, altering, sleeve, round, base, barrel, this, sleeve, opened, series, ports, which, bled, exhaust, gases, determined, range, company, mortar, m193. The RM 38 was a Soviet 50 mm light infantry mortar The barrel was clamped at two elevation angles only 45 and 75 degrees Range variations were made by altering a sleeve round the base of the barrel This sleeve opened a series of gas ports which bled off exhaust gases and so determined the range RM 38Company Mortar M1938TypeInfantry mortarPlace of originSoviet UnionService historyUsed bySoviet UnionWarsWorld War IISpecificationsMasscombat 12 1 kg 27 lb Barrel lengthbore 50 mm 2 in overall 78 cm 2 ft 7 in Shell0 85 kg 1 lb 14 oz Caliber50 mm 1 97 in Breechmuzzle loadedElevation45 or 75 82 on some modelsTraverse6 Muzzle velocity96 m s 310 ft s Maximum firing range45 800 m 870 yd 75 402 m 440 yd 82 100 m 110 yd The project was deemed overly complex and expensive and was only produced for a short time before being replaced by the Model 1939 Despite the small number produced some fell into German hands in 1941 who introduced them as the 5 cm Granatwerfer 205 1 r Contents 1 Development 1 1 Design Improvements 1 2 Variants 2 50mm RM 41 3 Use 4 References 5 See alsoDevelopment Edit Mine 0 822A for a 50 mm PM 38 mortar The RM 38 or 50 RM 38 50 mm company mortar model 1938 was based on the British Stokes mortar It was further developed as the RM 39 and RM40 1 The Red Army of the USSR divided mortars into company RM Rotnyy Minomet battalion BM Batalonnyy Minomet and regimental PM Polkovoy Minomet mortars Development of a light 50mm company mortar started in 1937 The RM 38 was approved for use in 1938 and entered production in 1939 In the space of just over a year RM 39 RM 40 and RM 41 replaced each other in succession RM 41 remained in production until 1943 when the USSR decided to cease making 50mm mortars Only the RM 41 was a new design with the others being incremental improvements of the original RM 38 Design Improvements Edit The problem of having only two fixed elevations and thus needing to adjust the range with the complex adjustment of gas escape made for inaccurate ranging and was dangerous to the mortar crew as well The minimum shooting range of 200 m was felt to be impractical in Red Army use as well RM 39 added a protective shield which directed the escaping hot gases away from the operator Barrels got shorter with each new model Variants Edit RM39 Barrel Length 77 5 cm Weight 14 or 17 kg RM40 Barrel Length 63 cm Weight 12 1 kg50mm RM 41 Edit Essentially a new design influenced by German 50mm mortars which was continued in use until 50mm mortars were removed from Soviet Army service This mortar was without a tripod but instead relied on its barrel yoke which contained traverse and elevation adjustments The gases now vented under the muzzle via a tube Use EditAll models saw widespread use by the USSR in World War II Captured in large numbers they were also re used by the Finns and Germans After World War II the USSR supplied them to North Korea and Vietnam The Finns were apparently not impressed with these Russian 50mm mortars giving them mildly derogatory nicknames Naku and Tiltu and not being over zealous about re issuing them The Finns found the RM 39 relatively accurate in use and getting the mortar ready to fire took only about one minute The mortar was no substitute for the 80 82mm mortars however perhaps due to only having 100g of TNT in the shell less than some hand grenades References Edit Finnish Army 1918 1945 47 Mm 60 Mm Mortars See also EditList of Russian weaponry Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title RM 38 amp oldid 1152325274, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
