Unlike other states, the military in Russia did not use grenades until 1916. The situation began to change in 1913, when a Russian general came across military instructions to German soldiers on the rules for operating a rifle grenade. Soon the newspapers published information about a similar product created by the English designer Martin Hale. While in Russia they were deciding which department or department to entrust with the design of this new ammunition for infantrymen, the First World War began. Already the first positional battles showed that one cannot do without rifle and hand grenades. After a long bureaucratic red tape, the Main Artillery Directorate (GAU) was entrusted with the development and supply of grenades. Soon the first cast-iron grenade and a 16-line mortar for firing at a distance of up to 320 meters were ready.
Soviet gunsmiths on the laurelsstopped and the design work continued. One of the options for such weapons was the rifle grenade launcher M. G. Dyakonov. A rifled mortar attached to the muzzle of a 1891 Mosin rifle was used to shoot the ammunition.
Information about the history of creation, technical characteristics and principle of operation of the Dyakonov grenade launcher can be found in this article.
Introduction
Dyakonov's grenade launcher is a rifle weapon adapted for use from a closed position. With the help of fragmentation grenades fired from a grenade launcher, the manpower of the enemy is destroyed, the location of which has become equipped firing points and field fortifications. Since these places are inaccessible to rifle units, the fire from which is carried out along a flat trajectory, it is possible to eliminate the enemy using the Dyakonov grenade launcher. Lightly armored targets are also subject to destruction. In this case, anti-tank grenades are used. The Dyakonov rifle grenade launcher and firing from it are intended not only for the physical destruction of the enemy. The gun is also used as a means of warning, signaling and lighting.
About the history of creation
The idea to equip infantry troops with grenade launchers arose in 1913. The Russian command could not decide which of the departments, engineering or artillery, should be engaged in the creation of such weapons. In 1914, this task was entrusted to the Main Art Administration. In the same year, the technician A. A. Karnaukhov, the electrician S. P. Pavlovskyand engineer V. B. Segal created a 16-line mortar. However, its firing range left much to be desired, and work on grenade launchers continued. In March 1916, a new product of the Dyakonov system was demonstrated at the rifle range of the Officer Rifle School. The grenade launcher and firing from it were well evaluated by the expert commission. Moreover, it was decided to adopt the grenade developed by Dyakonov and the 40.5 mm mortar, the barrel of which was a seamless steel tube. However, they did not have time to establish their serial production, since in 1918 the “demobilization of industry” took place. Two years later, the Dyakonov grenade launcher (a photo of the gun is presented in the article) was sent for re-testing. In order to increase the firing range, the ammunition was upgraded. In February 1928, the Revolutionary Military Council of the USSR decided to accept the Dyakonov grenade launcher into service with the Red Army.
About production
In 1929, the first order for the manufacture of grenades was received. 560 thousand ammunition was fired to the grenade launchers. The cost of one unit was 9 rubles. According to experts, the first batch cost the state 5 million rubles.
About design
Dyakonov's grenade launcher was a muzzle-loading system. This product was also called a mortar, which, together with a bipod, a bayonet and a protractor-quadrant, was equipped with a 7.62-mm rifle. The design of the mortar had the following details:
The body, which is represented directly by a rifled barrel. The existing three grooves were intended for the leadinggrenade protrusions
- Cup.
- Neck. This element was equipped with a special figured cutout, thanks to which the cup could be attached to the barrel like a bayonet.
In the grenade launcher, a threaded connection was used to fasten parts. In an effort to give the rifle stability during operation at various angles, it was equipped with a bipod. When a grenade launcher was installed, the legs of the bipod were stuck with sharp ends into a hard surface. A clip was attached to the bipod rack and a rifle unit was put into it. It was possible to fasten the clip with a clamp at different heights. By means of a goniometer-quadrant, a rifle grenade launcher was aimed. To mount the goniometer, a special clamp was used, the left side of which served as a place for the quadrant box, and the right side - for the goniometer and target line. With the help of a quadrant, the elevation angle was verified when aiming vertically, and the goniometer was used in the horizontal plane. In 1932, a special manual was published describing the device of the Dyakonov grenade launcher. The manual also contained information about the characteristics and combat capabilities of ammunition for the weapon of this system, the rules for their storage and operation.
About gun maintenance
The combat crew of a rifle grenade launcher is represented by two fighters: a gunner and a loader. The task of the gunner is to carry and install the gun, aim at the target andfire a shot, loader - carry the combat kit to the Dyakonov grenade launcher. The number of grenades fired in one calculation was up to 16 units. The loader also helped the gunner install and point the mortar at the target, mount the remote tube and equip the gun with a projectile.
Due to the fact that the shooting was accompanied by a very noticeable recoil, it was not recommended to use the shoulder as a support for the rifle butt. Otherwise, the fighter could be left with a crushed collarbone. Therefore, the rifle rested on the ground, in which a hole was previously dug. During testing of the weapon, it was noticed that due to the strong recoil, the stock could crack if stone or frozen earth was used as a support for it. Therefore, in winter, in order to prevent the butt from breaking, a special pad was placed under it. During loading, the shutter must be left in the open position. This measure prevented unplanned shootings.
About performance characteristics
- The weapons of the Dyakonov system are rifle grenade launchers.
- Producing country - USSR.
- The grenade launcher was operated by the Red Army from 1928 to 1945
- Full assembly (with bipod, rifle and mortar) grenade launcher weighs up to 8.2 kg.
- The weight of the mortar was 1.3 kg.
- The barrel is equipped with three grooves with a pitch length of 672 mm.
- Combat crew consists of two people.
- The aiming range varies from 150 to850 m.
- Shooting from a grenade launcher ensures hitting a target at a distance of up to 300 m. With the presence of an additional charge, the distance increased to 850 m.
- Within one minute, from 5 to 8 shots can be fired from this gun.
Operation principle
Dyakonov's grenade launcher was used to shoot rifle grenades. This ammunition is a small 370 gram projectile. The explosive is contained in a steel case, in the lower part of which there is a pallet. The outer part of the body was divided into several separate squares by means of grooves. Thanks to this design, striking elements were more easily formed during the rupture of a rifle grenade. A central tube was placed along this projectile, through which the bullet passed. The inside of the hull became the place for the explosive charge, represented by a 50-gram explosive (BB). Remote tubes were attached to the central tubes from the end, thanks to which grenades could explode over targets located at different distances from the shooter. This product contained a special remote graduation disc.
By turning it, grenades were exposed to burst. To make the firing range longer, the designers supplied the ammunition with an additional expelling charge. It was represented by smokeless powder weighing 2.5 g. An additional charge was contained in a silk bag, which was attached to the bottom of a rifle grenade. During the shot, the powder gases began to put pressure on the pallet, increasing the range of the rifle grenade. To prevent the ammunition from getting damp, it was covered with a special sealed cap. According to experts, the Dyakonov rifle grenade launcher is quite suitable for ordinary combat rifle cartridges.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the grenade
- Ammunition of the Dyakonov system, caliber 40.6 mm and length 11.7 cm, weighed no more than 360 g.
- The mass of the combat charge was 50 g.
- During the explosion of a grenade, 350 fragments were formed.
- The lethal radius of the projectile reached 350 m.
- The grenades were moving towards the target at a speed of 54 m/s. With additional charges for one second, they covered 110 m.
About shortcomings
According to military experts, with the entry into service with the Dyakonov grenade launcher, the Red Army became the owners of a weapon that was quite effective in the First World War. Mortars are most effective for positional battles. For a "mobile" war, as experts are convinced, these grenade launchers are practically useless. Dyakonov's grenades and grenade launchers could be considered ideal means only in 1917. In 1928 they were already obsolete, and by the beginning of the Great Patriotic War they were radically outdated. The disadvantage of the system was that the preparation was too complicated:
- Before the grenade launcher shot the projectile, the distance to the target was estimated by eye.
- Further, from memory or using a special table, the gunner had to determine in what position the sight should be,exposed to one or another range.
- Then it was necessary to calculate how long it would take the remote tube to burn. In this case, the grenade was supposed to hit the target with the maximum number of fragments. This is possible if it bursts directly over the target itself.
- Insert the grenade into the barrel.
The preparation was too difficult, which negatively affected the rate of fire.
What is the advantage of a grenade launcher?
The strengths of this weapon is that it could be used to eliminate the enemy in a well-fortified shelter. It is impossible to do this with small arms because of its flat trajectory. In addition, the grenade launcher was adapted to fire rifle cartridges. The fighter did not need to remove the mortar for this.
Grenade launchers of the Dyakonov system were used in the Soviet-Finnish war, and later in the Great Patriotic War. In 1945, these guns were removed from service with the Soviet army.
