Dyakonov grenade discharging system
Designed by Mikhail Grigorievich Dyakonov in 1917, adopted in 1918 but only put into production starting in 1928.
40,5mm TNT explosive or pyrotechnic steel grenades, 150~230m range, propelled by a live 7,62x64mmR round.
The Russian equivalent to the French VB launcher. The Dyakonov grenade launching system consisted of a discharger cup locked over the bayonet lug, a bipod to adjust elevation, a clamp and aiming devices to attach in front of the receiver, and a pillow to put under the butt stock to absorb recoil when used on hard ground. Unlike the VB, the Dyakonov couldn’t be fired from the shoulder and would in fact crack the stock when braced against anything but soft ground.
Much like other slightly-obsolete light infantry support guns doubling as signal/flare launchers, it was updated late into WW2 with an antitank projectile able to penetrate 50mm of steel armor at a 90° angle.