15 CM HOWITZER M/38

A howitzer is a type of artillery piece. With its curved projectile trajectory and the ability to fire at a high angle (elevation of the gun barrel), it is designed to hit targets in protected positions. Howitzers are towed by other vehicles or mounted on suitable armored vehicles.

The 15 cm Howitzer m/38 was used by the Swedish Army from 1940 to 1984. 

It was produced hastily as an emergency solution ahead of World War II. The barrel was taken from an earlier version of the howitzer (m/19), and the carriage (gun mount) from the 10 cm cannon m/34. The design was so successful that more were built, and although they were phased out in the late 1950s, they continued to be used here in the north until 1984!

A range of 11,100 meters and a firing rate of about 10 rounds per minute made it a vital component of the Swedish defense. 

15 cm Howitzer m/38

Manufacturer
BOFORS

Weight (firing position, with extended trail legs)
Gun with equipment: 4200 kg 
Wheel load: 1855 kg
Recoiling system: 1600 kg
Barrel and mechanism: 1450 kg

Weight (travel position, retracted barrel)
Gun with equipment: 4650 kg
Recoil pressure: 815 kg
Wheel load: 1623 kg

Length
6620 mm

Width (travel position)
With wheels: 2250 mm
Track width: 1885 mm 

Width (Firing position, with extended trail legs)
5400 mm

Height
With armor shield: 1980 mm
Muzzle center at 0°: 1384 mm 

Diameter
Wheel diameter: 1260 mm 

Ammunition/loading
Cartridge: 150 mm live round m/19
Caliber: 150x225 mm R

Ammunition weight
Complete round: approx. 4.5 kg

Caliber
149,1 mm

Barrel
3280 mm with breech

Recoil
Recoil force at 0°: approx. 9000 kg
Recoil force at 45° elevation: 15 000 kg
Recoil length at 0°: 1500-1550 mm
Recoil length at 45°: 900-1000 mm 

Mount
V-mount

Elevation Limits
-3° to 45°

Traverse Field
60° (30° in each direction)

Rate of fire
Practical rate of fire: approx. 10 rounds/min

Muzzle velocity
190-503 m/s

Maximum range
11100 m 

Sighting system
Panorama sight