Is it correct that the M3 Grant’s 75mm gun barrel existed in two different lengths?
Thanks,
Paul
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It did, early tanks had the M2 gun, later ones had the M3 which differed mainly in being longer. The short M2 gun can be seen in pictures with and without a counterweight at the muzzle; if there is a counterweight, it means the tank has a stabilisation system fitted, because that was calibrated for the M3, meaning that the lower weight of the M2’s barrel threw it off. The M3 barrel seems to have been far more common on Grants than the M2, though.
Grant with M2 gun, no counterweight:
Grant with M2 gun with counterweight:
Grant with M3 gun:
(source)
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Thanks to you both … most helpful.
I will opt for the longer barrel.
Paul
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All of the M-3 Grant tanks in these pictures are equipped with the shorter M2 75mm gun. The longer M3 75mm gun (which is the same 75mm weapon as installed on the M4 - M4A4 Sherman) was fitted to the later variants of the M-3 Lee tank. The British Grant tanks were equipped with the M2 75mm weapon.
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You’re right, I mistook the gun in the last photo for an M3. Looking better at the photo, I think it’s actually turned to the left, which is hard to see because of the canvas cover, and because of that angle, it looks longer than it actually is.
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