The "Jagdpanzer" 38 fit into the lighter category of German tank destroyers that began with the Panzerjäger I, continued with the "Marder" series and ended with the "Jagdpanzer" 38. The 75 mm Pak 39 L/48 gun of the "Jagdpanzer" 38 was a modified version of the 75 mm StuK 40 L/48 used in the "StuG III" and "StuG IV" assault guns. With this gun the "Jagdpanzer" 38 was able to destroy nearly all Allied or Soviet tank types in service at long ranges (except heavy tanks) and its fully enclosed armor protection made it a safer vehicle to crew than the open-topped Marder II or Marder III series.