This is a new addition to the collection.I would love to find a PZB 39 to complement it.
This is a new addition to the collection.I would love to find a PZB 39 to complement it.
Looks to be in good shape too! Is it live or deact?
Johnnie
Strangely enough it has been de-activated,though under NZ law I can and will bring it back to operational status...easier said than done of course.The barrel has been drilled infrom underneath at the chamber,which will take an armourer friend of mine some ingenuity to fix,but she will (hopefully) operate on a 13mm/7.92 blank case we are also working on.
It would be a real joy to find out more of the operational history of these.I wonder how many of the 25,000 odd PzB 39's were modified thus.It is a very clumsy weapon to carry about.Imagine haveing to carry it along with both grenade projectiles and the grenade blanks.A vehicle mount would be less of a hindrance but how useful?
I suspect it was a case of adapting anything they could to AT mode as Allied tanks, especiall Russian, became harder to kill. These, the grenade launching PAK-37, even grenade launching flare pistols. Desperation is indeed the mother of invention. I do understand that some of the original versions were given to allies such as the Italians and perhaps Romanians.
Johnnie
Beautiful, Hope you get it shooting again. Are you going to make a chamber/barrel insert? If so and you use 7.62mm you can use standard grenade blanks, just decrease the range a bit.
I have wondered how effective they were. Anyone know a WWII German/Italian/Romanian vet to ask about their actual use?
A chamber insert is looking more likely .I hadn't thought about 7.62 but there's an idea!
The Pistol grip has a hinge joint about level with the trigger guard.When pushed forward and down,this opens the breech.Because the grenade had such a high trajectory additions to the bipod legs were spot welded on,and for added strength a couple of half round struts were also welded inside the stock arms.So now the stock can only be folded to about 5-oclock.
The second round from the bottom is the grenade launcher round for your toy.
"As long as there are brave men and warriors the halls of Valhalla will never be silent or empty"
In memory of my father William T. Grist December 26, 1920--September 10, 2009..
901st. Ordnance H.A.M. North Africa, Italy, Southern France....ETO
Also in memory of my mother Jane Kidd Grist Feb. 22, 1920-- September 27, 2009... WWll War bride May 1942...
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