M-1931 (B-4) 203mm Howitzer

M-1931 (B-4) 203mm Howitzer

Designer:

Nikolai N. Magdeshiev

Designations:
          Russian, early tracked:
          German, early tracked:
          Russian, later wheeled:
          German, later wheeled:
 
B-4
20.3cm H 503/1(r)
B-4M
20.3cm H 503.2(r)

Manufacturer:

Uncertain at Present

Role:

Howitzer

Year Adopted:

1931

Weight:
          Traveling:
          Deployed:
   
19,000 kg (41,888 lbs)
17,700 kg (39,022 lbs)

Operational Status:

Soviet Union - Obsolete
Cuba - Obsolete

Armament:

203mm (8 inch) Main Gun

Recoil System:

Hydraulic recoil buffer, with hydropneumatic recuperator

Weapon Range:

18,025 meters (19,712 yards)
Sustained Rate of Fire: 1 rnd per minute
Gun Crew: Uncertain at Present

Shell Weight (HE):

100 kg (220 lbs)
Muzzle Velocity:
607 meters/sec (1991 ft/sec)
Length:
          (Traveling Order):
          (Barrel Only)
   
   
4.9 meters (16 feet, 1 inches)

Total Traverse:

8 degrees

Elevation:

0 to +60

Common Towing Vehicles: ATT Artillery Tractor

 

 

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Sources Cited

(1) The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, Chris Bishop (ed), Barnes and Noble Books: New York, NY, 1998. Print.