Weird Russian Weapons in History

The PSS silent pistol, also known as the Pistolette, is a unique Russian firearm that stands out for its unconventional design. Unlike traditional silent weapons that use a silencer, the PSS utilizes special SP4 noiseless ammunition. This 7.62mm by 41mm round features a steel cartridge case with a powder charge and a piston that seals the cartridge upon firing, resulting in no sound blast or smoke. The pistol is designed for covert operations and assassinations, with a short range of 50 meters and a chamber that separates from the barrel to reduce sound. Issued in 1983 to KGB Spetsnaz units, it remains in use by various Russian special and secret service units.

The APS underwater rifle is a specialized firearm developed for the Soviet Union's frogmen in the mid-1970s. It is based on the AK family of assault rifles but adapted for use underwater. The rifle's barrel is smooth, and it fires from an open bolt to allow water to fill the barrel, which is essential for stabilizing the projectile. The APS uses unique 5.66mm rounds with 120mm long steel darts, enabling frogmen to engage targets at distances of up to 30 meters underwater. Despite its odd appearance and large polymer magazine, the APS is a reliable weapon used by the Russian armed forces and 12 other nations.

The Tsar Tank was a colossal and peculiar armored vehicle developed during World War I. It was essentially a large gun carriage with an armored turret on top, featuring spiked wheels that were nine meters in diameter. The tank had four turrets, two of which were equipped with 76.2mm guns, and the others with Maxim machine guns. Despite its imposing size, the Tsar Tank had numerous weaknesses, including vulnerable wheels and poor weight distribution. It was tested in front of military officials but failed to impress, getting stuck in the mud and proving impractical for use on the battlefield. The project was eventually abandoned in 1923.

The Antonov A40, also known as the flying tank, was a Soviet experiment during World War II. Designed by Oleg Antonov, the concept involved attaching wings to a T-60 light scout tank, creating a glider that could be towed by a bomber and delivered to the battlefield or behind enemy lines. The A40 had a detachable cradle with large biplane wings and a twin tail, but the idea proved unfeasible. The towing speed required was too high, and the tank was difficult to tow. The single trial in 1942 showed that while the tank could glide and land safely, the project faced significant challenges, including the need to strip the tank of ammunition and fuel for towing, leading to delays in combat deployment. The A40 was abandoned as the T-60 became obsolete, and the Soviets focused on more viable projects.

The Tupolev Tu-2Sh, nicknamed the Fiery Hedgehog, was a World War II aircraft designed for infantry support. It featured a weapon battery cassette with 88 PPSh-41 submachine guns arranged in 11 rows, each with 8 guns. Each gun had a 71-round drum magazine, and with a rate of fire of 1250 rounds per minute, the Tu-2Sh could unleash 6248 steel cord incendiary rounds in under four seconds, covering an area 550 meters long by 1.2 meters wide. However, the Tu-2Sh faced several limitations. The rapid ammunition expenditure required a time-consuming manual reloading process, and the low-altitude requirement for effective use made the aircraft vulnerable to enemy fire. Ultimately, the Tu-2Sh was not adopted due to these challenges and the availability of more effective small caliber cluster bombs.