Soviet Explosive Ordnance - 76mm Projectiles (Part Finale)

76mm Artillery and Tank Gun Projectiles

 

76mm Complete Round, Fixed, Shrapnel, USh-344

 

 

This ball shrapnel round is fired only from the 76mm regimental gun (howitzer) M1943.  The M1943 is obsolete in the Soviet Army, but it is standard in the Polish, Bulgarian, Czechoslovak, and Albanian Armies and may also be found in Rumania and Yugoslavia.

 

The illustrated round is not interchangeable with standard ammunition used in other 76.2mm weapons.  Its projectile contains about 260 lead balls, each 12.7mm (0.5 inch) in diameter and weighing 11g (0.39 ounce), and a small black powder bursting charge.

 

The T-6 and 22PG fuzes are used with the Sh-354 projectile in this round.  *As a component of other complete rounds, however, the Sh-354 projectile also has been found with 22-sec, 22P, and D fuzes.

 

*Note.  The dimensions and markings on the cartridge case in the above illustration have not been verified.

 

Characteristics

Caliber: 76mm (3 in)

Weight of complete round: ?kg (? lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 6.52kg (14.34 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: ?kg (? lbs)

Type of projectile filler: Ball shrapnel (260 lead balls) and black powder

Weight of projectile explosive filler: 0.085kg (0.187 lb)

 

Packaging

 

The illustrated 5-round wooden box weighs approximately 58kg (128 lbs).  This ammunition may also be found in a 6-round box weighing 70kg (154 lbs), or in an 8-round box weighing 94kg (207 lbs).

 

76mm Complete Round, Fixed, Shrapnel, USh-352

This Soviet ball shrapnel round is fired from the 76mm mountain gun (howitzer) M1909.  Its projectile contains about 260 lead balls, each 12.7mm (0.5 in) in diameter and weighing 11g (0.39 once), and a small black powder bursting charge.

 

The 22PG fuze is used with the Sh-354 projectile in this round.  As a component of other complete rounds, however, the Sh-354 projectile also has been found with 22-sec, 22P, T-6, and D fuzes.

 

Characteristics

Caliber: 76mm (3 in)

Weight of complete round: ?kg (? lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 6.51kg (14.33 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 0.36kg (0.79 lbs)

Type of projectile filler: Ball shrapnel (260 lead balls) and black powder

Weight of projectile explosive filler: 0.085kg (0.187 lb)

Packaging

 

The illustrated wooden container has a capacity of five rounds.  When packed, the case weighs from 54.7 to 57 kg (121 to 125 lbs).

 

76mm Complete Round, Fixed, Shrapnel, USh-353D

 

 

This ball shrapnel round is fired from the 76mm regimental gun (howitzer) M1927; division guns M1902/30, M1936 (F-22), M1939 (USV), M1942 (ZIS-3); tank guns M1927/32, M1938/39 (L-11), M1939 (F-32), M1940 (F-34), M1941 (ZIS-5); and self-propelled gun M1942/43 (SAU-76).  All of these weapons except the M1942 and M1942/43 are obsolete in the Soviet Army.

 

Its projectile contains about 260 lead balls, each 12.7mm (0.5 inch) in diameter and weighing 11g (0.38 ounce), and a small black powder bursting charge.

 

Fuze model D is used with the Sh-354 projectile in this round.  As a component of other complete rounds, however, the Sh-354 projectile also has been found with 22-sec, 22P, 22PG, and T-6 fuzes.

 

Note. All complete rounds of the "353" series (that is, all rounds with the number "353" as a component of their code number) contain a reduced propellent charge.

Characteristics

Caliber: 76mm (3 in)

Weight of complete round: ?kg (? lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 6.53kg (14.37 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 0.48kg (1.056 lbs)

Type of projectile filler: Ball shrapnel (260 lead balls) and black powder

Weight of projectile explosive filler: 0.085kg (0.187 lb)

 

Packaging

 

 

The illustrated 5-round wooden box weighs approximately 58kg (128 lbs) when packed.  This ammunition also may be packed in a 6-round box weighing approximately 70kg (154 lbs), or in an 8-round box weighing approximately 94kg (207 lbs).

76mm Complete Round, Fixed, Shrapnel, USh-354G

 

 

This ball shrapnel round is fired from the 76mm regimental gun (howitzer) M1927; division guns M1902/30, M1936 (F-22), M1939 (USV), M1942 (ZIS-3); tank guns M1927/32, M1938/39 (L-11), M1939 (F-32), M1940 (F-34), M1941 (ZIS-5); and self-propelled gun M1942/43 (SAU-76).  All of these weapons except the M1942 and M1942/43 are obsolete in the Soviet Army.

 

Its projectile is filled with metal shrapnel balls and a small explosive bursting charge (probably black powder).  The 22PG fuze, with cap, is used with the Sh-354G projectile in this round. 

 

The complete rounds USh-354 with Sh-354 projectile using a 22P or 22PG fuze, USh-354T with a Sh-354T projectile using a T-6 fuze, and USh-354U with a Sh-354U projectile using a 22PG or T-6 fuze are variants of the illustrated round.  These variants are basically the same as the USh-354G and are fired from the same weapons.

Characteristics

Caliber: 76mm (3 in)

Weight of complete round: 9.05kg (19.81 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 6.6kg (14.51 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 0.9kg (1.98 lbs)

Type of projectile filler: Ball shrapnel and explosive

Weight of projectile explosive filler: 0.085kg (0.187 lb)

Packaging

 

The illustrated 5-round wooden box weighs about 58kg (128 lbs).  This ammunition may also be found in 6-round wooden boxes weighing about 70kg (154 lbs), or in 8-round wooden boxes weighing about 94kg (207 lbs).

76mm Complete Round, Fixed. Shrapnel, USh-356

 

This ball shrapnel round is fired from the 76mm mountain gun (howitzer) M1938.  Its projectile contains about 260 lead balls, each 12.7mm (0.5 inch) in diameter and weighing 11g (0.38 ounce), and a small black powder bursting charge.

 

The fuzes known to be used with the Sh-354 projectile in this round are the 22-sec fuze and the 22PG fuze.  As a component of other complete rounds, however, the Sh-354 projectile also has been found with 22P, D, and T-6 fuzes.

 

The complete round USh-356T, with a Sh-354T projectile using a T-6 fuze, is a variant of the illustrated round.  It is fired from the same weapon and, except for the different fuze and markings, is almost identical to the USh-356 in external appearance.

Characteristics

Caliber: 76mm (3 in)

Weight of complete round: 8.55kg (18.81 lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 6.5kg (14.3 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 0.65kg (1.43 lbs)

Type of projectile filler: Ball shrapnel (260 lead balls) and black powder

Weight of projectile explosive filler: 0.085kg (0.187 lb)

 

Packaging

 

 

This ammunition is packed in wooden boxes containing five rounds.  The gross weight of the packed wooden box is about 60kg (132 lbs).

76mm Complete Round, Fixed, Shrapnel, USh-361

 

 

This bar shrapnel round is fired from the obsolete 76mm anti-aircraft guns M1931, M1931/33, and M1938.  Bar shrapnel was originally intended for fire against aerial targets, but it has been replaced by the fragmentation shell for this purpose.

The Sh-361 projectile contains a filler of 48 metal bars and a small black powder bursting charge.  

 

The Sh-361 projectile in this round employs fuzes T-3 and T-3 (UG) (with adapter).

Characteristics

Caliber: 76mm (3 in)

Weight of complete round: 11.5kg (25 lbs) (approximately)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 6.51kg (14.32 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: 1.8kg (3.96 lbs)

Type of projectile filler: Bar shrapnel (38 metal bars) and black powder

Weight of projectile explosive filler: 0.086kg (0.19 lb)

 

Packaging

 

 

This ammunition is usually packed in a four-round wooden box.

76mm Complete Round, Fixed, Canister, UShch-354

 

This canister round is fired from the 76mm regimental gun (howitzer) M1927; division guns M1902/30, M1936 (F-22), M1939 (USV), M1942 (ZIS-3); tank guns M1927/32, M1938/39 (L-11), M1939 (F-32), M1940 (F-34), M1941 (ZIS-5); and self-propelled gun M1942/43 (SAU-76).  All of these weapons except the M1942 and M1942/43 are obsolete in the Soviet Army.  Canister fire is used exclusively against exposed personnel at short ranges of not over 300 meters (327 yards). 

 

The Shch-350 projectile in this round consists of a light case (usually made of cardboard) containing 549 shrapnel balls of a lead and antimony composition.  Each ball has a diameter of 12.7mm (0.5 inch) and weighs 10.8g (0.381 ounce).  The case breaks upon leaving the muzzle of the gun, and the balls scatter in the manner of shotgun pellets.

 

No fuze is used with the Shch-350 projectile.

 

Characteristics

Caliber: 76mm (3 in)

Weight of complete round: ?kg (? lbs)

Weight of projectile, as fired: 6.23kg (13.7 lbs)

Weight of propellant, w/o igniter: ?kg (? lbs)

Type of projectile filler: Ball shrapnel (549 shrapnel balls)

Weight of projectile filler: 5.93kg (13.05 lb)

 

Packaging

 

 

The illustrated 5-round wooden box weighs approximately 58kg (128 lbs) when packed.  This ammunition may also be packed in a 6-round wooden box weighing about 70kg (154 lbs), or in an 8-round wooden box weighing about 94kg (207 lbs).

 

Next Time: 85mm Projectiles