In a previous article about anti-tank rifles, it was told about Rukavishnikov's PTR chambered for 14, 5x114, which, although it was put into service, did not receive distribution. The designer did not stop there, and continued his work, creating a lighter and more compact weapon, already single-shot and chambered for 12, 7x108. And this weapon received the highest marks and was recommended for mass production. But it was 1942, the actual finale of a short century of anti-tank rifles, because the weapon did not spread, mainly due to the low penetration rates of armor, that is, because of the cartridge. Despite this, the sample of the anti-tank rifle proposed by Rukavishnikov is very interesting, which is noticeable even in the appearance of the weapon. I propose to get acquainted with this work of the constructor.
The appearance of the Rukavishnikov anti-tank rifle of the 1942 model is indeed somewhat unusual, the weapon seems to be too light and elegant, which is not typical for the PTR. However, behind the external lightness, 10, 8 kilograms and one and a half meters of length are hidden, but back for a weapon chambered for 12, 7x108, this is not so much. The anti-tank rifle is single-shot, to compensate for recoil when firing, there is a muzzle brake-recoil compensator, as well as a soft butt plate, which, together with a not very powerful cartridge, makes shooting relatively comfortable. In addition, a bipod located on a short receiver contributes to more convenient firing from a weapon. True, there was one significant drawback, which was the tossing of the weapon when firing, which reduced the accuracy of fire, even despite the free-hanging barrel. Sights are an adjustable rear sight and front sight, the weapon has no safety devices.
Much more interesting is the shutter of the weapon, which is not so often found in such samples. The fact is that the shutter is piston. In other words, it is a part that folds down and has a rotary bolt in the center that locks the barrel bore by 5 stops. To reload the weapon, you need to turn the reload handle up, unlocking the barrel bore, and pull it towards you. As a result, the handle will take a position parallel to the barrel of the weapon, and the chamber will become open. Removing the spent cartridge case was carried out manually, behind its protruding part, which appeared in the process of opening the shutter, although if the weapon was at an angle, then the cartridge case fell out by itself. A notable point was that the trigger mechanism of the weapon was hammer. So, at the moment the shutter was opened, the trigger of the weapon was cocked, which stood on the sear, in anticipation of the next shot. A new cartridge, again by hand, was inserted into the chamber, after which the bolt was lifted and locked by turning the handle to the right. Pressing the trigger led to a breakdown of the trigger, and, consequently, a shot.
Separately, it was noted that this model of an anti-tank rifle was much easier to manufacture in comparison with Degtyarev's PTR, and could just as easily be adapted for cartridges 14, 5x114, which, of course, required replacing the barrel of the weapon. An interesting point is that the practical rate of fire for this single-shot sample is indicated as 12-15 rounds per minute. Although it is difficult to believe that in five seconds, in a rather hectic environment, you can at least reload, not to mention an aimed shot, is difficult.
The Rukavishnikov anti-tank rifle of the 1942 model received a very high rating, and was recommended for mass production, which was never established. In general, the weapon could well have been successful if it had been created a couple of years earlier. 1942 was, in fact, the sunset of a short century of anti-tank rifles, and for firing at targets other than armored vehicles, the already created samples were quite enough and the army did not need new ones.
