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3,7cm M-granate Flak 18, 36/37, cutaway model and questions

pzgr40

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
I bought this cutaway model on a collectors meeting for 90,- Euro. The man who sold it to me told me that it was a rare German 3,7 cm M-granate, with a fuze specifically belonging to this type of projectile.
I finished the cutaway model (Explosive charge and powdersticks), and patched it up some more.

The only markings left on the fuze half is: most probably an L , then a Z or a 7, 20 M 1 44

The fuze functions as follows (picture 03):
In the fuze body, a pretensioned spring is placed, pushing a collar downward. In the center of the spring, the hammer pin is placed, just ending under the nose of the projectile. The shaft of the hammer pin is placed on top of the shaft of the firing pin through the hole in the collar.
The firing pin has a flange for two reasons: the first reason is that the firing pin is blocked in the upward position by a rolled up strip of foil under the flange that prevents it from moving down. Upon firing, the strip unrolls, releasing the firing pin to move down freely into the duplex detonator upon impact. Before hitting a target, the firing pin is “floating”.
The second purpose for the flange on the firing pin is to allow the collar on the pretensioned spring to push the firing pin into the detonator for self destruct. However, for that mechanism to work, the projectile has to be fired first.
Upon firing, the centrifugal force throws the eccentric weight of the barrel safety outward (2), rotating it appr 20 degrees counterclockwise, releasing the first release hook (1) to revolve over it’s pivoting point ( I gave all pivoting points a red + in the center). As soon as it can rotate clockwise, it will unhook (3), allowing the second hook (2) to rotate counterclockwise. When the second hook falls outward, it allows the hole blocking strip (4) to rotate clockwise, being released at point 5. When the blocking strip moves outward it allows the springloaded collar in the fuze body to move down and push the firing pin into the duplex detonator.
I drew in a spring (black) as I suppose it should be, a spring pushing for unlock as soon as the centrifugal force decreases and the spring overcomes the centrifugal force upon the release hook (1).

The fuze is quite identical to the 2cm Kopfzunder Zerleger in functioning, exept is has one part more; the blocking strip (4).

Questions:
Who can help me on a drawing of cartridge and projectile, and a drawing and the name of the fuze.
What is the colour code on the projectile body?

Thanks in advance,
Regards, DJH
 

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  • 01 - 3,7cm Flak - M cartridge.JPG
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  • 02 - 3,7cm Flak - M fuze.JPG
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  • 03 - Zerlege deel 3,7cm Flak -M.JPG
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Hello Pzgr40,

Your fuze looks like a Zerl. Z.20

Maybe the same fuze used on 5cm M-Gesch.

Cheers
 
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550gr - tracer 4.1s - charge 90g HTA - prop. 220gr powder diglycol -


3.7MGesch.jpg3.7MGesch2.jpg
 
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Thanks for the added info MINENAZ16. I will add it with the text in the main posting
On the Wk2ammo forum I also received info and drawings.

Thanks and regards, DJH
 

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On the Wk2ammo forum EOD pointed out to me :

"DJ, it might be worth to mention that this particular projectile type was used only with aircraft guns."

I found some more info after some googling. The 3,7cm Bk was used under a number of planes, however mostly in the role of ground attack aircraft (Ju-87D3 Stuka , Henschel-219B-R3), firing Armour piercing projectiles.
I think about the only plane using this M-cartridge must have been the Me-110G-2/RI-3, as this M-projectile is most suitable for fighting heavy Bombers like the B-17's and B24's.
I understood however from some of the info found on the internet that the 3,7cm BK under the Me-110G-2/RI-3 'Pulk Zerstorer' was not particulary succesfull and loved by the crew, as the big bulge under the plane decreased speed, agility and especially the climbrate of the plane, and the gun -placed slightly off center to the left- made the plane 'jink' from left to right with every shot fired. The relatively low firing rate was another point of concern when shooting from a moving plane on a moving target.
The system was soon replaced with the much more effective pair of Mk108 guns in the nose.

Regards, DJH
 

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  • BF-110G Pulk Zerstorer.jpg
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Congratulations, that is a fantastic cutaway.
I beleive the correct fuse was a 3.7cm Kpf Z Zerleger which self destroyed the projectile between 2800-3500m. The trace burn was for approx 4.1 secs which equates to around 2000m.

I think you're correct on the use of this round in the bomber destroyer role where maximum blast damage was deemed of more value than fragmentation damage. Initially, both conventionally and BK3,7 armed Me110 had a bit of a field day with the fleets of B17/B24's. Once the practice of escorting with P47 and P38 and ultimately with P51's the already unweildy Pulk Zerstorers were taken out of service due to the massive losses inflicted on them by vastly more manoeuvrable fighters.

The images I've attached show my 3.7cm M-Gesch with a Hartkernmunition as used in the BK3,7 on the other aircraft you've listed below.

Cheers
 

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