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For example the 45mm AT gun of the Soviets is upgraded in 1943; it's not exactly the same weapon but it's listed the same, instead of getting a name like '45 mm AT improved'. Newer model aircraft are marked with a letter designation, and tanks too, but some items are not.

Looks like it could be called the 45 mm AT Gun M37 and 45 mm AT Gun M42. 
Or M-1937 and M-1942 like the tank designation. 
Or put in the calibre so 45mm/L46 and 45mm/L66 would also work.
Or 45 mm AT obr. 1937 and 45 mm AT obr. 1942

ORIGINAL: randallw

For example the 45mm AT gun of the Soviets is upgraded in 1943; it's not exactly the same weapon but it's listed the same, instead of getting a name like '45 mm AT improved'. Newer model aircraft are marked with a letter designation, and tanks too, but some items are not.

I did it this way for three reasons:

1) It would have been redundant. Since you can get the same information by merely clicking on the ground element, having the actual weapon (device) description in the name is unnecessary.

2) Unlike like AFVs, the other ground elements properties are essentially communicated in the element's description. For example, just knowing the element is an anti-tank gun or a howitzer or a rifle squad pretty much tells you already about all you need to know. By contrast AFVs differ widely even within the same basic model. If I were to refer to all Panzer IIIs as simply Panzer III you wouldn't know whether the tank was a Panzer IIIe with a 37mm gun, a Panzer IIIh with a 50mm gun or a Panzer IIIn with a low velocity 75mm gun. In addition to guns, AFVs have a whole set of extra variables that differ from model to model which is generally not true of non-AFV ground elements.

3) While admittedly a case of personal style, I find the limited descriptions of non-AFV ground elements more asthetically pleasing than cluttering the element description with needless detail. You get all that detail by drillling down on the element; you don't need to be looking at it all the time.

Jim Wirth