General
Prior to the Andean War the Ejército del Perú was particularly lacking in antitank weaponry of all types, a deficiency that would not be remedied until after the close of hostilities. In the interim, such weapons as the French Canon d'Infanterie de 37 modèle 1916 TRP and the Driggs Ordnance Model 1915 37mm trench gun were purchased in Europe and in North America and pressed into service with limited success.
Following the conclusion of hostilities the Ejército sought to replace these interim weapons with once more suited to modern warfare. Extensive trials were held between 1936 and 1938, leading to the decision (driven in part by finances) to adopt two different weapons – an antitank rifle for issue to the Infantería de Montana and the Infantería de Selva and a light-weight, towed antitank gun for issue to the Infantería Motorizado and the Caballería Blindado.
The first requirement was met by the Solothurn S-18/100, a man-portable 20mm gun capable of attacking light armored vehicles or employment as an anti-materiel weapon. In Peruvian service it is designated Fusil antitanque Modelo 1938. The second requirement was fulfilled through purchase of the Nordish Bofors Model 1936, its commercial antitank gun and one well appreciated for its time. The Ejército designates it Cañón antitanque Modelo 1936.
Due to continuing financial difficulties fewer than three hundred examples of the Fusil antitanque Modelo 1938 were acquired from the Swiss factory, while deliveries from Bofors of the Cañón antitanque Modelo 1936 comprised:
18 guns delivered in October 1938
24 guns delivered in October 1939
20 guns delivered in June 1940, and
22 guns delivered in June 1941
Further procurement ceased due to advances in tank design which rendered the Modelo 1936 obsolescent as a first-line antitank weapon.
Details
Fusil antitanque Modelo 1938
Weight – 45 kg (empty)
Length: 176 cm
Barrel length: 93 cm
Caliber 20mm (cartridge 20×138mm Solothurn Long)
Action: Semiautomatic, recoil-action
Muzzle velocity: 850 meters/second
Magazine: 10 rounds
Cañón antitanque Modelo 1936
Weight in action: 375 kg
Length: 304 cm
Width: 109 cm
Height: 103 cm
Barrel length: 174 cm
Caliber: 37mm
Muzzle velocity: 810 meters/second
Traverse: 26 degrees
Elevation: -10 degrees, +25 degrees
Maximum range: 7,400 meters (indirect), 4,500 meters (direct)