Solothurn S-18/1000

Solothurn S-18/100 20 mm Anti-Tank Cannon
Type	Large caliber rifle, Anti-materiel rifle
Place of origin	Switzerland
Service history
Used by	Nazi Germany Italy Finland (trials only)
Wars	World War II
Production history
Variants	Solothurn S-18/100, Solothurn S-18/1100
Specifications
Length	85 inches
Barrel length	57 inches
Cartridge	20 mm x 138 mm (Solothurn Long)
Caliber	20 mm
Action	semi-automatic
Muzzle velocity	850 m/s
Feed system	10 rounds

The Solothurn S-18/1000 20 mm Anti-Tank Cannon was a Swiss anti-tank rifle used during the Second World War, and was a variant of the earlier S-18/100 with modifications for a higher muzzle velocity, as well as a larger cartridge size. As a result of its large, powerful ammunition the gun had a tremendous recoil, and its size made portability difficult.

History

The Solothurn firearms company was owned by the German firm Rheinmetall, and used the Swiss company to manufacture arms which were prohibited for manufacture by any German firm, to get around arms limitations imposed upon them at the end of the First World War.

In 1940-1941 the US Army considered adopting the Solothurn S-18/1000. The weapon was standardized for limited procurement as 20mm automatic gun T3. In spring 1941 the Solothurn was tested against the .90-cal. T4 automatic gun. Although less powerful, the Solothurn was also less bulky and complicated and was found more suitable for Army use. The plans were to acquire an order of 50 pieces and later to produce the weapon in the US. However, long contract negotiations resulted in abandonment of the idea.

Specifications

• Type: Anti-tank rifle.

• Place of Origin: Designed by the German company Rheinmetall, manufactured by Solothurn in Switzerland.

• Service History: Used by Italy, Hungary, Finland and Germany, during WWII and Finland's Continuation War.

• Overall length: S18-1000 and -1100 85". This could vary due to a number of optional muzzle brakes used for different projectile weights.

• Barrel Length: 51" muzzle brakes length: 1 hole brake 1", 4 hole 4", 5 hole 5". The brake adds to the overall length of the barrel when installed.

The brakes are changed depending on the recoil force of the rounds being fired. Lighter projectiles require less recoil reduction from the brake to allow the action to cycle. Therefore the one hole brake is used for firing High Explosive projectiles which are much lighter than the Armour Piercing variety. The AP projos require the 5 hole brake.

• Weight: S18-1000 and -1100 118 lb empty with Magazine ( 4lb)

• Cartridge: S18-100 20mmX105B, S18-1000 and -1100 20mm X 138 B. The B indicates a "belted" round which headspaces on the belt rather than the shoulder, rim or mouth of the case.

• Caliber: .818" or 20.5mm (bore diameter is larger than the land diameter of 20mm or .78")

• Action: Recoil operated semi automatic for the S18-100 and S18-1000. The S18-1100 was select fire recoil operated.

• Magazine capacity: S18-100 5 or 10 round, S18-1000 and -1100 10 round standard but the weapon could use the 20 round magazines from the Flak 18 anti-aircraft gun.

See also

• L3/35, for the "L3 cc" anti-tank (controcarro) tank destroyer

References and external links

• Zaloga, Steven J., Brian Delf - US Anti-tank Artillery 1941-45 (2005) Osprey Publishing, ISBN 1-84176-690-9.
• Photos of the Solothurn S-18/1000