82-PM-41

82-mm mortar Model 1941
Type	Mortar
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1941 - 1960s
Used by	Soviet Union Nazi Germany Czechoslovakia Poland Finland Albania Mongolia People's Republic of China East Germany North Korea Vietnam Cambodia Yugoslavia
Wars	Second World War
Production history
Designed	1940-1941
Produced	1941-1943
Specifications
Mass	56 kilograms (123 lb)
Length	1.2 metres (3 ft 11 in)
Crew	4
Shell	3.05 kg (6 lb 12 oz)
Caliber	82 millimetres (3.2 in)
Elevation	45° to 85°
Traverse	5° to 25° (using traversing mechanism)
Rate of fire	15-25 rpm
Muzzle velocity	211 m/s (690 ft/s)
Maximum firing range	3,040 m (3,320 yd)
Sights	MPB-82

The 82-pm-41 (Russian: 82-Полевой Миномёт-41), M-41 or the 82-mm mortar Model 1941 (Russian: 82-мм миномет обр. 1941 г.) was a Soviet 82-millimeter calibre mortar developed during the Second World War as an infantry battalion mortar, and which begun production in 1941. It differed from Model 1937 by the presence of a removable wheel base, by the arched construction base plate (as in 107-mm and 120-mm mortars), and also a different two-legged construction. Wheels were slipped over the semi-axis of the bipod feet and removed during firing. Design improvements were made to reduce weight and production cost, and improve manoeuvrability. The ballistic data of the mortar Model 1941 were analogous to Model 1937. The 82-mm mortar Model 1941 was more convenient to transport than the Model 1937, but was less steady during firing and had a worse centre of gravity. To correct shortcomings of the 82-mm mortar Model 1941 it was modernised during initial production. In the course of production the construction of bipod, wheel and fastening of the sight was changed. The modernised mortar was called 82-mm mortar Model 1943. Due to the initial need to rectify design issues 1937 Model mortars continued to be used during World War II and produced alongside Models 1941 and 1943. As many Model 1937 Mortars were lost early in the war, this mortar served in the Battle for Moscow, Battle of Stalingrad, Battle of Kursk, and other campaigns, operations and engagements of the first three years of the war.

References

• Bishop, Chris, (Ed.), The Encyclopaedia of weapons of World War II, Barnes & Noble Books, New York, 1998
• Norris, John, Infantry Mortars of World War II, Osprey Publishing, 2002
• Barker, A. J., & Walter, John, Russian Infantry Weapons of World War II, Arco Pub. Co., 1971
• Cornish, Nik, Images of Kursk: History's Greatest Tank Battle, July 1943, Brassey's, 2002
• Sweeting, C. G., Blood and Iron: The German Conquest of Sevastopol, Brassey's, 2004