M-42 45 mm anti-tank gun model 1942

The 45-mm anti-tank gun of the 1937 model was created at Design Bureau Plant No. 8 in Pidlipky under the leadership of M. N. Loginov by improving the 1937 model gun. This was achieved by adding a 45-mm barrel to the carriage of the 1931 model 45-mm gun, a licensed copy of the Rheinmetall gun.

A prototype of the new 45-mm anti-tank gun was produced at Plant No. 8 and received the factory designation of 53-K. After factory testing, it was sent to the Scientific Research Artillery Proving Grounds (SRAPG). During the testing in August-September 1937, 897 shots were fired, including 184 at concrete. The system was tested at a range of 684 km and successfully withstood the firing of the 45-mm gun. During transportation, the spring for the suspension broke.

In November 1937, Plant No. 8 produced a series of six experimental 45-mm guns that differed from the standard 1932 model.

During field testing, the system traveled 2074 km. The speed on stone was 30-35 km/h, on paved roads 50-60 km/h, and on rough terrain (without obstacles) 15-30 km/h. The system remained stable during transportation.

At the beginning of 1938, military tests were carried out on three 45-mm guns of the 53-K model (Nos. 1, 2, and 4 from the experimental series) with Ya-3 sleds. Six Komsomolets-type tractors participated in the tests. On average, 450 shots were fired per barrel during the military trials, and the semi-automatic mechanism worked flawlessly. The system was tested on a route from Moscow to Kharkiv to Krasnodar.