| Ampulomet | |
| Origin: | Soviet Union |
| Is Artillery: | yes |
| Service: | 1941–1945 |
| Used By: |  Finland (Captured)(Captured) |
| Wars: | World War II |
| Manufacturer: | Leningrad |
| Production Date: | 1941–1942 |
| Weight: | 26kg (57lb) |
| Length: | 1m (03feet) |
| Part Length: | 0.84m (02.76feet)[1] |
| Crew: | 3[2] |
| Cartridge: | Separate loading black powder charge and AZh-2 projectile containing KS incendiary. |
| Cartridge Weight: | 1.5kg (03.3lb)[3] |
| Caliber: | 125mm |
| Rate: | 8 rpm |
| Velocity: | 50m/s |
| Max Range: | 250m (820feet) |
| Recoil: | None |
| Elevation: | 0° to +12° |
| Traverse: | 360° |
The Ampulomet (Russian: 125-мм ампуломёт образца 1941 года, also rendered Ampulomyot, ampulla mortar, etc., lit. "ampule/vial thrower" cf. миномёт) was an expedient anti-tank weapon which launched a 125 mm incendiary projectile made of spherical glass.[4] [5] This weapon was introduced in 1941 and used (to a limited degree) by the Red Army in World War II, but by 1942 was largely obsolete.[6]
The weapon consisted of an unrifled tube with a crude breech mounted on a Y-shaped pedestal which pivoted on trunnions to provide elevation. Two breech mounted inverted horns were provided for traverse/elevation and a simple inclinometer for targeting and range calculation. A black powder charge was inserted into the breech and fired by a percussion cap to propel the AZh-2 glass ampule. The ampules were filled with an incendiary mixture known as KS. KS was a mixture of 80% phosphorus and 20% sulfur which ignited when exposed to air. The burning mixture created a bright flame, thick white smoke and would burn for up to three minutes at temperatures between NaNC. The burning liquid would seep through vision slots or engine grilles on a tank and ignite ammunition or fuel as well as choke and blind the crew.[7]
Northover Projector — A similar British weapon used by the Home Guard during World War II