Description
Soviet 203mm 3OF43 OF-43 HE-Fragmentation Projectile with V-491 Nose Fuze for 2S7 Pion and 2S7M Malka
Item Overview
This original Soviet 203mm 3OF43, commonly marked OF-43, is a spin-stabilized high-explosive fragmentation projectile for the 2S7 Pion and 2S7M Malka self-propelled artillery guns. It is fitted with a V-491 impact nose fuze and retains visible Soviet ammunition markings dated 1984. This example is completely inert and empty, with no explosive filler, propelling charge, or functional explosive components. Its large size and original markings make it an impressive Cold War artillery display. Item is 200 pounds and must be shipped via freight carrier. As always, insured shipping to anywhere in the contiguous 48 states is included in the price.
Identification and Features
The projectile’s shape, caliber, OF-43 marking, A-IX-2 filler marking, and V-491 nose fuze identify it as a 3OF43 conventional HE-fragmentation projectile. Soviet ammunition references document the 3OF43 as the standard conventional projectile used in the 3VOF34 and 3VOF42 separate-loading rounds for the 2S7 artillery system.
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Projectile designation: 3OF43, commonly stenciled OF-43
- Caliber: 203mm
- Projectile type: High-explosive fragmentation
- Stabilization: Spin stabilized
- Nose fuze: V-491 impact fuze
- Documented end items: 2S7 Pion and 2S7M Malka
- Visible filling date: 1984
- Current status: Inert and empty
Projectile and Fuze Function
In service, the 3OF43 used explosive force and fragments from its heavy steel body to attack troops, artillery positions, field fortifications, vehicles, supply areas, and other ground targets. Rifling inside the 2A44 gun barrel caused the projectile to spin during flight, improving stability and accuracy. The V-491 was a mechanical impact nose fuze designed for Soviet heavy-artillery ammunition. This projectile and fuze have been rendered inert and are sold only as historical display components.
Ammunition Configuration
The 3OF43 was separate-loading ammunition, so the projectile and propelling charge were loaded as separate components. Soviet firing tables list it in the 3VOF34 round with the 4-Z-2 full charge and in the 3VOF42 round with the 4-Z-3 reduced variable charge. A service-loaded 3OF43 weighed approximately 110 kilograms, or 242.5 pounds, and contained approximately 17.8 kilograms of A-IX-2 explosive. The projectile offered here is empty and does not include a propelling charge.
Documented End-Item Application
The 3OF43 was made for the 203mm 2A44 gun installed on the 2S7 Pion and its upgraded 2S7M Malka version. These tracked self-propelled artillery guns carried only a small number of projectiles on the vehicle, while additional ammunition and crew members traveled in support vehicles. The projectile could be used by either version because the Malka retained the same basic 203mm gun and ammunition family.
History of the 3OF43 Projectile
Development of ammunition for the new Soviet 203mm self-propelled gun began around 1970. The 3OF43 and its related service rounds were accepted during the mid-1970s with the 2S7 system. It became the standard conventional HE-fragmentation projectile for the weapon. When fired with the full service charge, the OF-43 had a maximum range of approximately 37.5 kilometers, or about 23 miles. Its combination of range, explosive weight, and a heavy steel body made it useful against large or protected targets.
History of the 2S7 Pion and 2S7M Malka
The Soviet Union developed the 2S7 Pion during the early 1970s and accepted it for service in 1975. NATO originally identified the weapon as the M-1975. The large tracked vehicle carried a rear-mounted 203mm 2A44 gun and was built for long-range artillery missions. The upgraded 2S7M Malka followed during the 1980s with improved communications, fire-control equipment, loading arrangements, engine controls, and increased onboard ammunition capacity. Both versions continued to fire the 3OF43 projectile.
Larger Weapon-System Background
The 2S7 family belonged to Soviet high-power artillery formations that operated above the normal divisional-artillery level. These units were intended to strike important targets at long range, including command centers, artillery positions, supply points, fortified areas, and transportation routes. The system could fire several types of 203mm ammunition, but the 3OF43 was its principal conventional high-explosive fragmentation projectile. Its long range allowed the gun crew to engage targets far beyond the reach of many standard field-artillery systems.
History of Use
The 2S7 served with Soviet high-power artillery units during the final years of the Cold War. After the Soviet Union dissolved, surviving guns entered the inventories of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, and other former Soviet states. The system saw documented combat during the 2008 Russo-Georgian War. Ukraine returned stored examples to service after fighting began in 2014, and both Russian and Ukrainian forces have employed the 2S7 family during the Russo-Ukrainian War. The OF-43 has remained an important conventional projectile for these weapons.
Markings and English Translations
The surviving markings identify the projectile type, caliber, original explosive filling, weight classification, and filling date. Codes tied to an unidentified factory or inspection system are transcribed without assigning an unsupported meaning.
- ОФ43: OF-43, an abbreviation of the Russian term for “high-explosive fragmentation,” followed by the projectile model number. The complete Soviet projectile index is 3OF43.
- А-IX-2: A-IX-2, the designation for the projectile’s original high-explosive filling. This example no longer contains that filler.
- 203: 203mm caliber marking.
- ЗП: ZP in Latin transliteration. This is a filling-plant cipher; the specific plant has not been identified.
- 8-84: Filling lot 8 from 1984.
- Н: Projectile weight-class or mass-deviation mark indicating the normal weight group.
- А-2-84: Production or inspection code associated with 1984. The exact factory coding system remains unidentified.
- Faint lower stamps: Factory or inspection stamps that are not clear enough to transcribe accurately.
Condition
The projectile retains its gray military finish and visible Soviet stenciled markings. The body shows scratches, finish wear, small surface marks, and other evidence of storage and handling. The V-491 nose fuze has an aged metal finish with visible wear. The projectile is inert and empty. Review the product pictures closely for the representative appearance and condition.
Ideal For
This large original artillery component is well suited to displays focused on Soviet weapons, Cold War military history, heavy artillery, and modern tracked fighting vehicles.
- Soviet and Warsaw Pact ordnance collections
- Cold War military-history displays
- 2S7 Pion and 2S7M Malka exhibits
- Artillery and ammunition reference collections
- Museum, educational, and military-vehicle displays
- Film, television, and theatrical props
Approx length 39.6", Approx width 8", Approx height 8", Approx weight 200 lbs.
Pictures are stock images of our inventory. Unless otherwise noted, you will not be receiving the exact item shown in the pictures. The pictures are representative of the item’s general condition. The item you receive might be slightly better, or worse, condition than was shown in the pictures.
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