Re: M1931 (B-4/M) 203 mm howitzer
As far as I know, they were operational in the 80s. Despite their age they were able to fire nuclear projectiles, had new wheeled chassis (fitted in middle fifties) and the numbers of newer 2S7 systems remained too low to fill operational demands and organizational structure of former USSR. This opinion is supported by the fact, that they are listed as treaty limited equipment under CFE in 1992. In a book about Moldovian conflict (published 2004) there is record about B-4M howitzers being in arms depot in Moldovia, that was evacuated by the time of conflict. I guess, the rest of them is scattered in similar locations, not in active units. The more so, that current treaty limited equipment allows to field just the modern pieces (2S7 and 2S4) to fulfill the needs of High Command. So it seems, they were never actually retired, but moved to reserve only as a result of treaty and Yeltzin's arms reductions.
Cheers,
Badger45
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