2.8 cm sPzB le Fl 41 Anti tank Gun

Antitank gun featuring the Gerlich tapered bore barrel. The barrel is of monobloc construction with interrupted flanges at the breech end to receive the breech ring which is locked in position by a spring catch. The muzzle end is fitted with a flange and screw threaded to receive a muzzle brake, which partially absorbs the energy from the expanding gases, and assists in reducing recoil and increasing stability. An extension at the back of the breech carries a tool box (spare sight inside), the firing gear and the sights. The gun is equipped with a folding backsight (missing) and a fixed blade foresight. The breech mechanism is of the semi-automatic horizontal sliding block type, the block sliding to the left to open. Crew protection is provided by a double spaced armour shield which hooks on to pins and is held secure by a spring loaded bolt. The shield has an irregular 'wavy' external profile, presumably designed to break up the weapon's outline. The slipper and cradle complete with trunnion band are of alloy castings, probably duraluminium. The gun has free elevation and traverse to absorb the kick on recoil, an elevation shock absorber is mounted between the cradle and the saddle. The carriage is of light tubular metal construction and small pneumatic tyred wheels (missing) would have been fitted. When firing the wheels were swung upwards leaving the gun to rest on the tubular framework.

Markings; Barrel number: 2664 82m M41 RU 4439. Breech ring: duv 1659; Breech operational. Sight bracket attached. No sight. Gun shield and cradle painted dark tan.

This was the first German operational antitank gun featuring the Gerlich tapered bore barrel, which reduced in diameter from 28mm to 20mm. Approved for service in November 1940 and although very useful in 1941, tank armour and a shortage of tungsten for special ammunition made it redundant. This particular gun is the airborne version featuring a special lightweight carriage reducing total weight by 50%. It was issued to German airborne units in 1941 and later was also used by the infantry. The gun fired a special type of armour projectile with a tungsten carbide core, but there was also a high explosive round.