WW2 German Deactivated Panzerschreck Round Rpzb Gr4322 (Original)
SKU: GERMAN DEACTIVATED PANZERSCHRECK ROUND RPZB GR4322 #1
Type: Original
Availability: In-Stock
Manufacturer: Dyw
Date Manufactured: 1940's
Model: Rpzb Gr4322
Caliber: 88mm
Length: Approx. 490mm
Weight: ~3.3 kg
Warhead: HEAT (Hohlladung / Shaped Charge)
Effective Range: 150–180 meters
Condition: Excellent
Price: $400.00
Seller Type: Classification: C&R / FFL
Seller ID: JMW
Seller Code: DG-100
Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Description
This is an Original WW2 German Deactivated Panzerschreck Round Rpzb Gr4322 in all-most mint condition.
History
The RPzB. Gr. 4322 (Raketenpanzerbüchse Granate 4322) was the standard high-explosive anti-tank rocket projectile developed for use with the German Panzerschreck, a shoulder-fired rocket launcher system fielded by the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS during World War II. Modeled after the American M1 Bazooka and improved for German combat conditions, the Panzerschreck utilized this formidable rocket to deliver devastating armor-piercing capability against Allied tanks and vehicles.
Design & Characteristics:
The RPzB. Gr. 4322 was a fin-stabilized, 88mm caliber rocket-propelled grenade. It featured a hollow-charge (HEAT) warhead capable of penetrating up to 160mm of rolled homogeneous armor, depending on angle and distance. The projectile’s aerodynamic fins at the rear ensured stable flight, while the shaped charge focused explosive energy into a concentrated jet capable of piercing tank armor.
Key features included:
- Caliber: 88mm
- Warhead Type: HEAT (Hohlladung / Shaped Charge)
- Total Length: Approx. 490mm
- Weight: ~3.3 kg
- Effective Range: 150–180 meters
- Maximum Velocity: ~110 m/s
- Armor Penetration: Up to 160mm (depending on impact angle)
Operational Use:
The RPzB. Gr. 4322 was fired from the Raketenpanzerbüchse 54 and RPzB 43 series launchers. The projectile was electrically ignited via a contact wire system when the trigger was pulled. Due to its large backblast and smoke trail, crews were trained to fire from cover or enclosed positions with adequate ventilation, often donning protective gear due to the intense muzzle flash and heat.
Field Performance:
In combat, the RPzB. Gr. 4322 proved to be a serious threat to Allied armored units, particularly when employed in ambush tactics or urban fighting environments. Its ability to knock out Sherman, Churchill, and even some heavier Soviet tanks like the T-34 made it a feared weapon on the battlefield. However, its size, smoke signature, and need for team operation limited mobility and exposed the operator to counterfire.
Legacy:
The RPzB. Gr. 4322 round remains a powerful example of late-war German anti-tank weapon innovation. Surviving examples of the projectile are highly sought after by collectors and military historians, often identified by their distinctive cylindrical body, fixed tail fins, and wartime manufacturer markings.
This rocket round, paired with the intimidating Panzerschreck launcher, symbolized the escalating arms race between infantry-portable anti-tank systems and increasingly well-armored Allied vehicles during the closing years of World War II.
