5 cm KwK 38 vs KwK 40

[Mobius]

Anyone know the difference between these two 5cm/L42 guns?

[Alanmccoubrey]

Sorry but I can't help you there as I've never heard of a 5cm KwK 40.

[Mobius]

It seems to be pretty obscure but it apparently exists.
http://tankarchives.blogspot.com/2019/0 ... ables.html
Christian has it listed as the short 50mm at PanzerWorld.
https://panzerworld.com/armor-penetration-table

[Grzesio]

I know two more ammunition docs listing both 5 cm KwK (without 38 ) and 5 cm KwK 40. All we do know so far is, they used the same ammunition and had the same ballistics.
The 40 is however not mentioned in Wolfgang Fleischer's book on German tank armament.

[peeved]

5 cm Kampfwagenkanone 40 L/42 was the L/42 version installed in Panzerbefehlswagen III (AFAIK mentioned in H.Dv. 481/53 from 29.6.1942); Some differences in connection dimensions to the mantlet from normal 5 cm KwK L/42.

Markus

[Mobius]

Thanks, Peeved. Encyclopedia of German tanks indicates there were 185 Panzerbefehlswagen III of these type produced/converted. Also, it says some were issued to Leibstandarte when formed.
I remember that a famous Russian tank commander had his first combat near the tank trench at the battle of Prokhorovka which he claimed he knocked out a T-3 scout tank.
I didn't know why he thought a T-3 (Panzer III) was a scout tank until now.