*German, WWII 1939, 3.7cm PaK 36 Anti-Tank Round, Steel Case “6331 St”, WaA352 Projectile, Rheinmetall 1937 Primer, Original Stencilling*
An excellent and highly displayable original German WWII 3.7cm PaK 36 anti-tank round, dated 1939, complete with its original armour-piercing projectile and steel cartridge case. A strong early-war example, retaining clear Waffenamt inspection marks and notably good traces of original factory-applied stencilling.
This is a full fixed round for the 3.7cm PaK (Panzerabwehrkanone) 36, the standard German anti-tank gun at the outbreak of the Second World War. The round remains correctly assembled with period components, including an earlier-dated primer, entirely consistent with German production and assembly practices of the pre-war and early-war period.
The cartridge case is clearly base marked:
“3,7cm Pak / 6331 St / P 382 / 20 VId / 1939”, together with a Waffenamt eagle acceptance stamp. The “St” (Stahl) designation confirms a steel case, and the surface retains traces of its original brass-washed finish, applied as a wartime economy measure to conserve copper while maintaining reliable extraction and corrosion resistance.
The projectile is fitted with its original copper driving band and is struck with multiple Waffenamt inspection marks (WaA352), along with the number “3015”, likely a lot or component reference. The form and finish are consistent with a standard German 3.7cm armour-piercing (Pzgr.) projectile as used against lightly armoured vehicles in early-war campaigns.
The primer remains present and clearly marked:
“Rh.S. 217 / 1937 / C/13 n. /A. / 28”, identifying it as a Rheinmetall-Borsig (Sömmerda) manufactured percussion primer, dated 1937. The use of earlier-dated primers within later-assembled rounds is entirely typical of German wartime logistics.
The case body retains partial but legible original stencilling, including:
“78g / Digl. R.P. / -8,2 / dbg / 37/30 / ow / 10/7.39”, indicating the propellant charge (78 grams of diglycol tubular smokeless powder), grain specification, dbg - Dynamit AG (Düneberg) manufacture, and a filling date of 10 July 1939. The survival of this stencilling is a particularly attractive feature rarely seen so clearly on comparable examples.
Approx. Measurements – Overall height: 34.3 cm. Case length: 25 cm. Base diameter: 5 cm.
History Note:
The 3.7cm PaK 36 was Germany’s primary anti-tank weapon during the early stages of WWII, seeing widespread use in the invasions of Poland (1939) and France (1940). Lightweight, mobile, and effective against the lightly armoured vehicles of the period, it later became less effective against heavier Allied armour, though it remained in service throughout the war.
Ammunition production was decentralised, with components manufactured by different factories and assembled into complete rounds. This example reflects that system, combining a 1939-dated steel case, a 1937 Rheinmetall primer, and propellant supplied by Dynamit AG. The use of brass-washed steel cases illustrates early German material economy measures while maintaining functional reliability in service conditions.
*Condition*
A complete and original display round with honest service wear. The steel case shows expected surface oxidation, areas of corrosion, and wear to the original brass-washed finish, with the underlying steel visible in places. The projectile retains much of its original black painted finish, now worn and flaking, with clear Waffenamt markings still visible. The copper driving band is intact with minor age-related wear. The base markings and primer details remain well defined and legible. The original stencilling is partially retained but worn, as photographed. Please see photographs as part of the condition report.
JAQ#3138BE_3597239464
