Original Item: Only One Available. This fine example is totally non-functional and inert having been demilled according to specifications outlined by the BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives). The Soviet Russian RM-38 / 50-RM 38 inert display mortar is inoperable and fully legal to own throughout the USA without any type of license. It has a bore width hole in the tube, steel cross pins welded across the bore. It comes complete with an original bipod and base plate, and has been repainted with lovely satin stove black paint.

This example has serial number N 177 on the bottom of the tube, with additional numbers 12409-12 and a date of 1940г. (г. is short for год, the Russian word for "Year"). 177 is also marked on the right side of the traverse yoke. The base plate is marked with serial 225 and a date of 1940г. The traverse yoke of the included original adjustable bipod and base plate are both marked 52 - M - 822 - Ш though the yoke is marked very faintly. We have seen this on other examples, so it may be a post war model number designation.

Condition is lovely, and the bipod folds and unfolds easily, with no issues noted. Both the elevation and traversal controls are fully functional, and the small spring recoil system looks to be intact as well. This is definitely a prime example of one of these hard to find mortars.

Very rare and ready to display!

The RM-38 was a Soviet 50 mm light infantry mortar, developed as a variant of the M1938 120 mm mortar. The barrel was clamped at two elevation angles only - 45 and 75 degrees. Range variations were made by altering a sleeve round the base of the barrel. This sleeve opened a series of gas ports which bled off exhaust gases and so determined the range.

The project was deemed overly complex and expensive, and was only produced for a short time, before being replaced by the Model 1939. Despite the small number produced, some fell into German hands in 1941, who introduced them as the 5 cm Granatwerfer 205/1(r). These were also captured by the Finnish during the "Winter War" and the "Continuation War", and they designated them the 50 Krh/38.

The RM-38 or 50-RM 38 50-mm company mortar (Рота Миномет or Rota Minomet) model 1938 was based on the Stokes mortar. It was further developed as the RM-39 and RM-40.

The Red Army of the USSR divided mortars into company (RM) battalion (BM) and regimental (HM) mortars. Development of a light 50mm company mortar started in 1937. The RM-38 was approved for use in 1938 and entered production in 1939. In the space of just over a year RM-39, RM-40 and RM-41 replaced each other in succession. RM-41 remained in production until 1943, when the USSR decided to cease making 50mm mortars. Only RM-41 was new design the others being incremental improvements of the original RM-38.

This model saw widespread use by the USSR in World War II. Captured in large numbers they were also re-used by the Finns and Germans. After World War II the USSR supplied them to North Korea and Vietnam.

Specifications:

Calibre: 50 mm
Barrel length: 78.0 cm
Weight in action: 12.1 kg
Muzzle velocity: 96 m/sec
Max. rate of fire: 30 shots / minute
Traverse: 6 degrees
Elevation: fixed, 2 or 3 fixed settings:
- 45 degree setting (for distance of 800 meters)
- 75 degree setting (for distance of 400 meters)
- 82 degree setting (only in some, for distance of 100 m)
Min. range: 100 or 200 meters (depending if third elevation setting)
Max. range: 800 meters
Ammunition weight: 0.95 kg - 1.04 kg (with fuse)
Ammunition types: HE