PTRD-41 in June 1941?

[CNE503]

Hello,

Could anyone please confirm me that this Soviet antitank rifle was distributed among the Red Army units prior to the German attack on June 22nd, 1941?
Some sources indicate that it was not until autumn 1941 that it was involved in first line fights.

Thank you in advance.
Regards,
CNE503

PS: my question is also about the PTRS-41.

[Art]

Given that the first batch of 50 rifles was produced in October 41 according to wiki - I doubt that.

[CNE503]

So, not a single one before fall 1941, right?
CNE503

[Interbellum]

PTRD-41 was developed in the end of July - beginning of August 1941 (the first example was tested in mid-August) and accepted for the equipment of the Red Army on 29 August. Series production started on 22 September, 1941; first 50 PTRD-41 were ready in October 1941. The first 300 PTRD-41 were sent to the 16th Army during the Battle for Moscow on 26 October, 1941. The first combat use - in the very end of October by soldiers from 1075th rifle regiment of 316th rifle division (16th army) near Volokolamsk during the Battle for Moscow. Exactly the same time five-shot PTRS-41 was developed (also accepted on 29 August) and its production started in November 1941, the first combat use - in November by soldiers of 437th rifle regiment of 15th rifle division during the Battle for Moscow.

In June 1941, only 14.5-mm anti-tank rifle of Rukavishnikov system model 1939 could be used, but almost theoretically (it was accepted by the Red Army in 1939 but in August 1940 it was excluded from the production and armament list [erroneously, as Soviet General Staff believed that German new tanks had thick armour inpenetrable for anti-tank rifles...] and only a very small amount, just several dozens, was produced, including 5 in 1939) - http://topwar.ru/uploads/posts/2013-05/ ... trr-39.jpg
As a stopgap measure 12.7-mm anti-tank rifle of Sholohov system was assembled in workshops of Moscow high schools since July 1941 (also in small amounts) and used by citizens-in-arms during the Battle for Moscow in autumn-winter 1941.

[CNE503]

That's pretty excellent, thank you gents.
CNE503