Original WWII Anti-Armor Weapon Manual Set - German Panzerfaust Manual and Finnish Manual for German Anti-Armor Weapons

Original Item. Only One Set Available. Here we have a fantastic set of WWII manuals for German Anti-Armor weaponry, one from Germany, and another from Finland. During WWII the two countries were allied against the Soviet Union, who invaded Finland during the Winter War and Continuation War. Finland received arms and equipment from Germany, and produced their own manuals for the weapons, which also had their own designations in Finnish.

The first item in the set is a service used original German WWII Manual measuring 3 7/8" x 5 1/2", which is part of the PANZERNAHKAMPF-WAFFEN (Anti-tank Weapons) series, Teil 2, Panzerfaust (Part 2, Panzerfaust). This is part of a larger book series of technical picture manuals used by Germany during WWII, and is number 253, from 27. September, 1944. The booklet definitely shows wear from use, and the original binding and/or stapes are missing from the binding, which is partly split away. It is 40 pages long, but we do not know if there are any pages at the end missing. There are both raised and ink stamps indicating that this book was at one time part of THE ARMY LIBARY in Washington DC, and it has information on the Panzerfaust 60m and Panzerfaust 30m Gross.

The second item is a Finnish WWII manual for the Panzerfaust Klein and Gross, as well as the 88mm Panzerschreck RPzB 54. There are pictures as well as text, and even an identification chart for various armored vehicles that the Soviet Union used, and where they should aim. There seem to have been several different revisions of Panzerschreck that were sent to Finland, or it is possible that they modified some after receiving them, which they were more than capable of. The manual is in excellent condition ,and looks to have seen very little use during the war.

A great small set of German Anti-Armor weapons manuals, which would make a great research and translations project!

History of the Panzerfaust:
The Panzerfaust was a development family of single-shot man-portable anti-tank systems developed by NSDAP Germany during World War II. The weapons were the first single-use light anti-tank weapons based on a preloaded disposable launch tube, a weapon configuration which is still used today (two modern examples being the AT4 and NLAW).

The Panzerfaust-design consisted of a light recoilless launcher tube outfitted with a single pre-loaded high-explosive anti-tank warhead protruding from the muzzle. It was an inexpensive, easy-to-use anti-tank weapon for the common infantry man, being issued as a single unit of ammunition meant to be operated by a single soldier. Firing was done from under the arm at an upward angle as the effective firing range was barely beyond that of hand grenades (30–60 m (98–197 ft) max). After use the launcher was discarded.

Development of the Panzerfaust started in 1942. The initial design was dubbed Faustpatrone (lit. "fist-cartridge") and was smaller than the later designs. Later dubbed Panzerfaust Klein ("tank-fist small"), it entered service in 1943, the larger design being named Panzerfaust Gross ("tank-fist big") and entering service in mid to late 1944. All types were used by Germany until the end of the war, with the design remaining in use in other countries for a number of years after the war.

History of the Panzerschreck RPzB.54:
The RPzB 43 Panzerschreck (Tank Terror) was an enlarged version of the U.S. M1 Bazooka being scarcely more then a length of steel tube with a shoulder rest and firing arrangements attached, hence the alternative German nickname of Ofenrohr (Stovepipe). The caliber was selected simply because 88mm hollow charge warheads were already in production for launching from the R-Werfer 43 but with rockets for the RPzB 43 there was a difference. Having noted that the American M6 HEAT rocket was ignition method was altered accordingly, resulting in the RPzBGr 4322 weighing 3.25kg (7.2lb). However the Germans decided not to adopt the battery-powered ignition circuitry rapidly developing and adopting a magneto-driven ignition method. It is interesting to note that the Americans later adopted a magneto ignition system for their M9/M9A1 launchers.

The unexpected advent of the M1 Bazooka in Tunisa made a considerable impact on the German military establishment. Not only did the Bazooka concept present a considerable danger to German armor but the simplicity, low cost and potential of the launchers design made a great impression. The immediate result was the abandonment of the R-Werfer 43 in favor of the novel Bazooka rocket delivery system. Within weeks the first examples of the 88mm (3.4in) Raketenpanzerbüchse43 (88mm RPzB 43) were coming off the HASAG production line at Meuselwitz. Most R-Werfer 43's already produced were sent to Tunisia or Italy and were soon forgotten or lost in action. Many were diverted and placed among the defensive works covering the Normandy beaches as part of the Atlantic Wall defenses.

The weight of a loaded 88mm RPzB 43 was 9.5kg (20.9lb). Amour penetration performance remained as before ie 160mm (6.24in) of amour plate set at an angle of 60°. The length of the RPzB 43 (1.64m) meant that to handle it effectively called for a team of two, one acting as the loader and carrying five ready-use rockets on a special backpack frame. Only when a target approached was a rocket loaded into the rear of the launching tube where it was held by a retaining catch and connected by the loader to the firing circuit via two thin wires. The firer used simple fixed sights for aiming and cocked the firing arrangements by pulling back a spring-loaded lever. Operating the trigger produced a current for a primer to ignite the rocket motor and launch the rocket.

RPzB 43 teams had to be masters of concealment and stealth for the practical range of the RPzBGr 4322 rocket was a maximum of 150m (492ft). Combat ranges were frequently considerable less. A trained team could launch four or five rockets in one minute. Panzerschreck warheads were also highly effective against field fortifications or buildings during fighting in built up areas.

The RPzB 43 was very rapidly accepted into service and soon became the preferred portable anti-tank weapon for infantry formations. By 1944 the weapon was so well integrated that each infantry regiment had an establishment of 36 held by the regimental anti-tank company, along with three 75mm (2.9in) Pak 40 towed anti-tank guns. The so-called Volksgrenadier infantry regiments of the latter war years were meant to have a planned 72 Panzerschrecken.

By mid-1944 the RPzB 43 was well into the process of being withdrawn from front line units in favor of the improved 88mm (3.4in) RPzB 54. The RPzB.54 Panzerschreck antitank rocket launcher differs from the Ofenrohr primary by addition of the protective steel shield with aiming glass window, which protects shooter's face and hands from rocket back blast. Another improvement is more elaborate sight, which allows for better windage, temperature and range adjustments, as well as the addition of 4 steel "flutes" which run the length of the barrel and increased strength.

By 1944 the Panzerschreck series had already become so important that production was in progress in seven centers and many others were concerned with sub assemblies. The simplicity of the RPzB 54 and its lack of demand for critical raw materials or manufacturing resources were such that it became an integral weapon in the German effort.

Specifications:
German WWII Panzerschreck, Raketen Panzerbüchse 54
Caliber: 88.9mm
Action: Electrically ignited solid rocket fuel propellant
Crew: 2
Range: 150 yards
Weight of Round: 7 lbs 4 oz shaped charge
Armor Penetration: 4 inches armor plate
Overall Length: 64 inches