152 Mm Howitzer-gun M1937 (ML-20) - Variants

Variants

The barrel was manufactured in two variants - monobloc or built-up. Some sources indicate that a third type - with loose liner - also existed.

Except the basic variant, the only variant to reach mass production was the ML-20S, developed for use in self-propelled guns, with differently placed controls for easier operation in small enclosed compartment.

• ML-20 with bag loading - In 1937 the Main Artillery Department decided - for economic reasons - to modify medium caliber guns to use bag loading instead of cased loading. An experimental ML-20 piece was built in 1939; the trials were unsuccessful.
• ML-20SM - Modified ML-20S with identical ballistics. Muzzle brake was removed. The gun was mounted in the experimental ISU-152 model 1945, of which only one unit was built.

• BL-20 - ML-20 with cast breech and wedge breechblock. Was developed by OKB-172 (sharashka of the NKVD) in 1946.
• ML-20 with M-46-type carriage - ML-20 with a modified carriage, resembling in construction a carriage of the M-46 130 mm gun. In 1950 an experimental piece was built and tested.
• 152 H 88-37 - A Finnish modernization program
• 152 mm haubico-armata wz. 37/85 - A Polish modernization, tires from KrAZ 255B truck, new compressed air cylinder and automotive lighting increased the road speed of the towed gun from 20 to 50 km/h and allowed the gun to be towed on public roads.