PzB M.SS.41

PzB M.SS.41
Production information
Country of origin	Czechoslovakia Germany
Manufacturer(s)	CZ
Designer(s)	Josef Koucký
Production began	1941
Production ended	1942
Technical specifications
Weapon type	Anti-tank rifle
Caliber	7.92×94mm Patronen
Action	Bolt-action
Length	53.5 in (136 cm)
Barrel length	43.3 in (110 cm)
Weight empty	28.6 lbs (13 kg)
Feed system	5- or 10-round detachable box magazine

The PzB M.SS.41 was a Czech anti-tank rifle that was produced by Ceska Zbrojovka.

History

The rifle was developed in Czechoslovakia at the Ceska Zbrojovka (CZ) factory in Brno. During the German occupation, small numbers of the PzB were manufactured for the Waffen SS. While more effective than the Panzerbüchse 39 rifle due to a magazine being used, it could not penetrate modern armor and was considered obsolete by 1942.

Design

The PzB bears a resemblance to a bullpup design. Operating the weapon is similar to how one would operate a Gepárd M1 anti-materiel rifle; turning the pistol grip, which acted as a bolt. In this case, the PzB's pistol grip was turned to the right and then pushed forward. The magazine is loaded in the rear.

Trivia

• The concept of the pistol grip acting as the bolt originated in the WWI-era Winchester-Pugsley anti-tank rifle.