45 mm gun, 1943

Original. Demilitarized. With documents.

Historical information about the 45 mm gun of the 1937 model

The 45 mm Model 1937 gun (also known as the 53-K) is a Soviet anti-tank gun developed in the mid-1930s. It was created to replace outdated models of 37 mm anti-tank guns and was intended to combat enemy armored vehicles at medium distances.

Main Features

• Caliber: 45 mm
• Weight in firing position: about 560 kg
• Barrel length: 46 calibers (2.07 m)
• Rate of fire: up to 15 rounds per minute
• Initial projectile speed: about 760 m/s (armor-piercing projectile)
• Effective firing range: up to 1 km
• Armor penetrated by an armor-piercing projectile: up to 40 mm at a distance of 500 meters

History of development and application

Development of the gun began in 1936, based on operating experience from previous models of anti-tank guns. Production began in 1937, and soon the guns entered service with the Red Army. They were actively used during the Soviet-Finnish War (1939–1940) and the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945).

Although effective against the light tanks and armored vehicles of the early World War II, by the mid-1940s the gun became less effective against the new heavy German tanks such as the PzKpfw VI Tiger and PzKpfw V Panther. In this regard, it was decided to replace it with more powerful anti-tank guns of 57 mm and 76 mm caliber.

However, due to its relative lightness and mobility, the 45 mm gun continued to be used as a secondary weapon until the end of the war, especially in urban combat and against unarmored vehicles.

The Model 1937 45mm gun played an important role in the early years of the Great Patriotic War, providing Soviet troops with the necessary fire support against enemy armored vehicles. Despite its gradual obsolescence, it remained one of the symbols of Soviet artillery of those years.

• State: Rebuilt
• Documents: Sold with documents

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