8 cm Granatwerfer 34

8 cm Granatwerfer 34
A GrW 34 at the Festung Hohensalzburg
TypeMortar
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
In service1937–1952
Used byNazi Germany
East Germany
Bulgaria
Yugoslavian Partisans
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerRheinmetall
Designed1932–1934
Unit cost810 Reichsmark
Produced1934–1945
No. built75,255
Variants8 cm GrW 34/1
Specifications
Mass62 kg (136.6 lbs)
steel barrel
57 kg (125.6 lbs)
alloy barrel
Barrel length1.14 m (3 ft 9 in)

Shell3.5 kg (7 lb 11 oz)
Caliber81.4 mm (3.20 in)
Elevation45° to 90°
Traverse10° to 23°
Rate of fire15-25 rpm
Muzzle velocity174 m/s (571 ft/s)
Effective firing range400–1,200 m (440–1,310 yd)
Maximum firing range2.4 km (1.5 mi)

The 8 cm Granatwerfer 34 (8 cm GrW 34) was the standard German infantry mortar throughout World War II. It was noted for its accuracy and rapid rate of fire.