Germany - Mauser 13mm Tankgewehr |
| Written by Jonathan Malory | ||
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The German Mauser Tankgewehr was the first purpose built weapon designed for use against tanks. The Tankgewehr was a single shot rifle, firing an armour piercing 0.512inches (13mm) tungsten alloy round coated with lead in a copper jacket. This anti tank rifle was used in action in early 1918, its factory output peaked at 300 rifles a day, a total of 15,820 were made by the end of the war.
The Mauser 13mm Tankgewehr required a two man team in operation. Its length was 5 feet 6 inches (1.68m) and its weight 39lbs (17.7kg) with bipod. Having a very significant recoil it caused many injuries to its operators and was not a popular weapon for this reason.
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The Tankgewehr was capable of penetrating 0.866inches (22mm) steel plate at at 328 feet (100 metres) with its muzzle velocity of 2700ft/s (823m/s).