A professional translator probably would have one or two things to say on some of my solutions. But, lets hope, for several reasons, that no one out there is trying to build a weapon based on this information.
I will try to translate these texts.
Swedish ---> English, StG related site
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Torbjörn Aronsson
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That sounds great
A professional translator probably would have one or two things to say on some of my solutions. But, lets hope, for several reasons, that no one out there is trying to build a weapon based on this information.
I will try to translate these texts.
A professional translator probably would have one or two things to say on some of my solutions. But, lets hope, for several reasons, that no one out there is trying to build a weapon based on this information.
I will try to translate these texts.
Last edited by Torbjörn Aronsson on 12 Mar 2006, 14:29, edited 1 time in total.
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Torbjörn Aronsson
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This is the first part. Let me first describe my previous (practical) knowledge of these weapons. I have received training in handling the sub machine gun m/45b in the Swedish Air Force. Believe it or not, but these weapons are still in use in the Air Force today! However, they are being replaced with Assault Rifles. A strange coincidence is that I volunteered a couple of months ago for a training course with Assault Rifles. It will occur in the beginning of april.
Back to the text.
/Torbjörn
The Development of the Sturmgewehr (stormkarbin) and the Modern Assault Rifles
by Olof Janson
last updated 2005-10-12
(image)
The development of a new small arm usually follows the development of a specific cartridge. That was also the case with the Assault Rifles. It was not until the 30´s that the german weapon industry and the military realised that the german army cartridge 7.9x57 mm with the sS bullet was far too stout to fit their needs. It consisted of a 12.8 gram heavy bullet with a diameter of 7.9 mm on a cartridge as long as 57 mm. It was the same package that was in use in the end of the 19th century when replacing black powder with powder less smoky. The powder types in use in Germany at that time was weak compared with the types produced during and shortly after World War I. Each war develops, as known, new kinds of weapons. Other important new innovations in warfare during this war was of course tanks, gas, airplanes and above all the machine gun.
This stout cartridge did itself justice with these machine guns. No surprice, since the effective range of fire was 2 000 meter! However, for a serie manufactured weapon with open laying gere used by ordinary soldiers, it was inappropriate.
The military found that the most common fire distance for a soldier during battle was shorter than 400 m. Earlier, they had found that the cartridge was totally inappropriate for the short rifles Kr98a.
These large cartridges was a remainder from the period of development from black powder to powder less smoky during the late 19th century. Later on, when introducing the S-cartridge, a more powerful cartridge was used. This should have resulted in an adjustment of the volume of the shell, as hit had a few years earlier when replacing black powder with powder less smoky.
The only disadvantage with a new smaller cartridge was that it would have resulted in yet another cartridge causing logistic problems. This question was raised by the germans in the end of the 1930´s, but as late as little less than 30 years later by the great power USA. The Soviet union had learned their lesson the hard way during the war, and solved the problem by imitating the germans.
During World War I it was realised that a fully calibred rifle ammunition had a powerful recoil, and was unpleasant for the soldiers to shoot with. This was, of course, one of the reasons for developing the sub machine gun. To solve this a temporary short cartridge had been constructed as early as 1927. The Mauserverken and the Waffen- und Munitionsfabrik (DWM) cooperated and produced a test serie of this cartridge. However, this resulted in nothing.
Back to the text.
/Torbjörn
The Development of the Sturmgewehr (stormkarbin) and the Modern Assault Rifles
by Olof Janson
last updated 2005-10-12
(image)
The development of a new small arm usually follows the development of a specific cartridge. That was also the case with the Assault Rifles. It was not until the 30´s that the german weapon industry and the military realised that the german army cartridge 7.9x57 mm with the sS bullet was far too stout to fit their needs. It consisted of a 12.8 gram heavy bullet with a diameter of 7.9 mm on a cartridge as long as 57 mm. It was the same package that was in use in the end of the 19th century when replacing black powder with powder less smoky. The powder types in use in Germany at that time was weak compared with the types produced during and shortly after World War I. Each war develops, as known, new kinds of weapons. Other important new innovations in warfare during this war was of course tanks, gas, airplanes and above all the machine gun.
This stout cartridge did itself justice with these machine guns. No surprice, since the effective range of fire was 2 000 meter! However, for a serie manufactured weapon with open laying gere used by ordinary soldiers, it was inappropriate.
The military found that the most common fire distance for a soldier during battle was shorter than 400 m. Earlier, they had found that the cartridge was totally inappropriate for the short rifles Kr98a.
These large cartridges was a remainder from the period of development from black powder to powder less smoky during the late 19th century. Later on, when introducing the S-cartridge, a more powerful cartridge was used. This should have resulted in an adjustment of the volume of the shell, as hit had a few years earlier when replacing black powder with powder less smoky.
The only disadvantage with a new smaller cartridge was that it would have resulted in yet another cartridge causing logistic problems. This question was raised by the germans in the end of the 1930´s, but as late as little less than 30 years later by the great power USA. The Soviet union had learned their lesson the hard way during the war, and solved the problem by imitating the germans.
During World War I it was realised that a fully calibred rifle ammunition had a powerful recoil, and was unpleasant for the soldiers to shoot with. This was, of course, one of the reasons for developing the sub machine gun. To solve this a temporary short cartridge had been constructed as early as 1927. The Mauserverken and the Waffen- und Munitionsfabrik (DWM) cooperated and produced a test serie of this cartridge. However, this resulted in nothing.
Last edited by Torbjörn Aronsson on 18 Apr 2006, 19:37, edited 3 times in total.
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Torbjörn Aronsson
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Several countries clame to have invented the Assault Rifle. An example of this are the russians. Wladimir G. Fjodorov (1874-1966) invented an "Awtomat". The army cartridge in calibre 6.5x50.5 SR (Ariska) from the japanese army, used during the war between Russia and Japan, was used for experiments. Fjodorow constructed an Assault Rifle for this cartridge. The weapon was given the model year of 1916. The weapon was never used in large numbers, but above all it used ordinary full-scale rifle ammunition, and can for this reason not be considered to qualify as an Assault Rifle.
(image)
Fjodorows M 1916 in calibre 6.5x50 SR (Arisaka).
In 1935 th GECO works in Karlsruhe-Durlach presented their own cartridge together with a fully-automatic weapon for the Weapons Department (Heeres Waffen Amt or HWaA). At first GECO had made a bottleneck cartridge 1934-35 with the calibre 7.75 mm with a 39.5 mm shell and a long pointy bullet with the weight of 9 gram. The bullet had a speed of 695 m/s after 25 m. The calibre was after tests reduced from 7.75 mm to 7.62 mm. The result was a cartridge almost identical with the soviet´s short cartridge wich was used in Kalashnikovs - Ak 47 and other types of weapons throughout the eastern block!
(image)
Fjodorows M 1916 in calibre 6.5x50 SR (Arisaka).
In 1935 th GECO works in Karlsruhe-Durlach presented their own cartridge together with a fully-automatic weapon for the Weapons Department (Heeres Waffen Amt or HWaA). At first GECO had made a bottleneck cartridge 1934-35 with the calibre 7.75 mm with a 39.5 mm shell and a long pointy bullet with the weight of 9 gram. The bullet had a speed of 695 m/s after 25 m. The calibre was after tests reduced from 7.75 mm to 7.62 mm. The result was a cartridge almost identical with the soviet´s short cartridge wich was used in Kalashnikovs - Ak 47 and other types of weapons throughout the eastern block!
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Torbjörn Aronsson
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The first machine rifle (maskinkarbin) - Vollmer M35
(image)
Heinrich Vollmer´s machine rifle M35. Notice the fine craftmanship in the carpenting, the ribbons around the barrel and their fastening. It is the same principal as on the K98 from the inter-war period.
At first GECO constructed the cartridge 7.75x39 mm and then on a commission from GECO Heinrich Vollmer (1885-1961) constructed the first machine rifle for fully- and semiautomatic fire.
The weapon was called machine rifle (Maskinkarbin) M35. The weapon had a length of just 96 cm and a weight of just 4.2 kg. It was equiped with a 20-shot magazine. This was the first serie produced machine rifle proven to be working satisfactory.
In 1935 there were still high quality weapons not aimed for mass production being constructed. The weapon reminded of and was of the same high level of standard as rifle 98k from the same period. The weapon also had many things in common with the K98k. Both weapons had a long wooden butt and hand protections made of wood clutched together in the same fashion by two ribbons running around the barrel.
Vollmer M35 is a weapon reloaded with gas. There is a sleeve around the muzzle of the barrel. When the bullet leaves the muzzle the sleeve is pulled forward and through a lever. The force is moving backward through a piston hidden in the wodden stock under the barrel. The piston is unlocking and the gas pressure remaining in the barrel is pulling the bolt backward. The first weapons of this construction had a range of fire between 700-1000 shots/minute. This turned out to be to much for this weapon and the rate of fire was reduced with the third model.
The weapon met all the demands of the Weapons Department (Vapenbyrån) and a test serie of 25 machine rifles (Maskinkarbiner) was produced. The weapon worked excellent but had one main disadvantage - it was expensive. Each gun in this serie costed 4 000 Reichsmark.
On august 30 1938 directions from the highest authority demanded all further tests to be cancelled!
But the story did go on.
In 1945 the GECO works fell into the hands of Soviet troops. They captured 20 000 cartridges an one Vollmer rifle. In 1943 they had imitated this cartridge (they called it obr.1943g or 7.62x39 M43) without having a weapon in working order for it. Then shortly after the war Kalashnikov with its famous construction came in to use.
It is a mystery why the Weapons Department (Vapenbyrån) never adopted the GECO cartridge. It is easier to understand why the new and well-made but expensive Vollmer machine rifle (Maskinkarbin) was rejected.
Whatever the reasons, the germans lost three years of development in the race with other countries to produce a more efficient army weapon. In 1938 they started all over again developing a machine rifle and a short army cartridge.
(image)
Heinrich Vollmer´s machine rifle M35. Notice the fine craftmanship in the carpenting, the ribbons around the barrel and their fastening. It is the same principal as on the K98 from the inter-war period.
At first GECO constructed the cartridge 7.75x39 mm and then on a commission from GECO Heinrich Vollmer (1885-1961) constructed the first machine rifle for fully- and semiautomatic fire.
The weapon was called machine rifle (Maskinkarbin) M35. The weapon had a length of just 96 cm and a weight of just 4.2 kg. It was equiped with a 20-shot magazine. This was the first serie produced machine rifle proven to be working satisfactory.
In 1935 there were still high quality weapons not aimed for mass production being constructed. The weapon reminded of and was of the same high level of standard as rifle 98k from the same period. The weapon also had many things in common with the K98k. Both weapons had a long wooden butt and hand protections made of wood clutched together in the same fashion by two ribbons running around the barrel.
Vollmer M35 is a weapon reloaded with gas. There is a sleeve around the muzzle of the barrel. When the bullet leaves the muzzle the sleeve is pulled forward and through a lever. The force is moving backward through a piston hidden in the wodden stock under the barrel. The piston is unlocking and the gas pressure remaining in the barrel is pulling the bolt backward. The first weapons of this construction had a range of fire between 700-1000 shots/minute. This turned out to be to much for this weapon and the rate of fire was reduced with the third model.
The weapon met all the demands of the Weapons Department (Vapenbyrån) and a test serie of 25 machine rifles (Maskinkarbiner) was produced. The weapon worked excellent but had one main disadvantage - it was expensive. Each gun in this serie costed 4 000 Reichsmark.
On august 30 1938 directions from the highest authority demanded all further tests to be cancelled!
But the story did go on.
In 1945 the GECO works fell into the hands of Soviet troops. They captured 20 000 cartridges an one Vollmer rifle. In 1943 they had imitated this cartridge (they called it obr.1943g or 7.62x39 M43) without having a weapon in working order for it. Then shortly after the war Kalashnikov with its famous construction came in to use.
It is a mystery why the Weapons Department (Vapenbyrån) never adopted the GECO cartridge. It is easier to understand why the new and well-made but expensive Vollmer machine rifle (Maskinkarbin) was rejected.
Whatever the reasons, the germans lost three years of development in the race with other countries to produce a more efficient army weapon. In 1938 they started all over again developing a machine rifle and a short army cartridge.
Last edited by Torbjörn Aronsson on 02 Apr 2006, 23:19, edited 2 times in total.
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Torbjörn Aronsson
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The new short rifle cartridge 7.9x33 mm
In 1938 the cartridge company Polte in Magdeburg received a contract for developing a new short cartridge. The construction was based on the already accepted sS bullet. As a result of this they were able to use tools already existing for the development of a new cartridge. At first a cartridge 7.9x35 mm was produced but it was later altered to 7.9x33 mm. The weight of the bullet was 6.95 gram and it was loaded with 1.4 gram of powder. In 1943 the load of powder was increased to 2 gram. The speed of bullet was 650 m/s at first but after 1943 it was 685 m/s.
One of the reasons behind the fact that the Weapons Department (Vapenbyrån) prefered the new cartridge instead of GECO:s may have been that they were very conservative and prefered a cartridge based on the 7.9x57 mm shell.
On april 18 1938 the Weapons Department (Vapenbyrån) gave Hugo Schmeisser, at the weapon and bycycle company C.G. Haenel in Suhl, the commission to develop a weapon for the cartridge.
(image)
To the (upper) left the blueprint for the cartridge developed by the ammunition works Polte.
The new cartridge: 7.9x33. Later on it was called Pist. Patr. 43
(image)
To the top (left) the ordinary german army cartridge 7.9x57 mm. This specific cartridge is a S.m.K.L' spur (1944 cdo 41).
At the bottom (left) the short rifle cartridge or as the germans called it the powerful pistol cartridge 7.9x33 Pist. Patr. 43
(image)
Here we see two boxes of Pist. Patr. 43 m.E.
m.E. stands for core of steel.
In 1938 the cartridge company Polte in Magdeburg received a contract for developing a new short cartridge. The construction was based on the already accepted sS bullet. As a result of this they were able to use tools already existing for the development of a new cartridge. At first a cartridge 7.9x35 mm was produced but it was later altered to 7.9x33 mm. The weight of the bullet was 6.95 gram and it was loaded with 1.4 gram of powder. In 1943 the load of powder was increased to 2 gram. The speed of bullet was 650 m/s at first but after 1943 it was 685 m/s.
One of the reasons behind the fact that the Weapons Department (Vapenbyrån) prefered the new cartridge instead of GECO:s may have been that they were very conservative and prefered a cartridge based on the 7.9x57 mm shell.
On april 18 1938 the Weapons Department (Vapenbyrån) gave Hugo Schmeisser, at the weapon and bycycle company C.G. Haenel in Suhl, the commission to develop a weapon for the cartridge.
(image)
To the (upper) left the blueprint for the cartridge developed by the ammunition works Polte.
The new cartridge: 7.9x33. Later on it was called Pist. Patr. 43
(image)
To the top (left) the ordinary german army cartridge 7.9x57 mm. This specific cartridge is a S.m.K.L' spur (1944 cdo 41).
At the bottom (left) the short rifle cartridge or as the germans called it the powerful pistol cartridge 7.9x33 Pist. Patr. 43
(image)
Here we see two boxes of Pist. Patr. 43 m.E.
m.E. stands for core of steel.
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Torbjörn Aronsson
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The first fase of the development of the modern Machine Rifle (Maskin Karbin)
On april 18 1938 the Weapons Department (vapenbyrån) made a specifikation on their demands that among others consisted of the following:
The weapon should
* Be adapted for mass production
* Have an efficient range of fire of 800 m
* Be able to switch between fully- and semiautomatic fire
It took Hugo Schmeisser two years to produce a test weapon for the Weapons Department. He was able to convince the Weapons Department on the advantages with a drilled hole in the barrel for leading the gases from the gas piston for transferring the power from the shot backwards. The Weapons Department was, as we know, in opposition to this type of construction during the entire 30´s, wich is apparent in constructions such as MG.34, MG.42, the german automatic rifle G 41 and Vollmer´s machine rifle M 35.
On april 18 1938 the Weapons Department (vapenbyrån) made a specifikation on their demands that among others consisted of the following:
The weapon should
* Be adapted for mass production
* Have an efficient range of fire of 800 m
* Be able to switch between fully- and semiautomatic fire
It took Hugo Schmeisser two years to produce a test weapon for the Weapons Department. He was able to convince the Weapons Department on the advantages with a drilled hole in the barrel for leading the gases from the gas piston for transferring the power from the shot backwards. The Weapons Department was, as we know, in opposition to this type of construction during the entire 30´s, wich is apparent in constructions such as MG.34, MG.42, the german automatic rifle G 41 and Vollmer´s machine rifle M 35.
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Torbjörn Aronsson
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Facts on Hugo Schmeisser
Hugo Schmeisser (b. sept. 1924 d. sept. 12 1953) is one of the main constructors of army weapons of the 20th century, also known as the father of the Assault Rifle. Hugo Schmeisser´s own father, Lous Schmeisser (1848-1917) was a gunsmith too and worked for the weapon company Bergmann. Hugo Schmeisser also worked for Bergmann. He became famous for his constructions of sub machine guns. His most reputed sub machine gun was the MP 18.1. also world famous by the name Bergmann after the company were it was manufactured.
Hugo Schmeisser worked in Suhl for Bergmann since before WWI to the end of this war. During the inter-war period he continued to make constructions of and build weapons in Suhl, thus breaking the treaties of Versailles. He started a cooperation with the well-known company C.G. Haenel. Later on he became the head of this company. He was captured by the USA on april 3 1945 when they occupied Suhl. When USA a month later handed Thyringen over to the Red Army, Hugo Schmeisser too were, for some strange reason, delivered to them. The Red Army did not only take the head of the works, but also 10 785 technical blueprints, and used it for their own weapon constructions.
The Red Army gathered everyone who had been working at the weapon works and forced them to work for them developing weapons. On october 24 1946 he was brought to Izhevsk by train. He worked there from 1946 to 1952, and nothing is known about him from this period. He returned to Suhl in what was then Eastern Germany on june 9 1952. He died in pneumonia on september 12 1953. According to some theories he did not die as a result of natural causes.
His company C.G. Haenel, still located in Suhl, changed it´s name to "Ernst Thälmann VEB" and continued to manufacture weapons, among them the Ak47.
Hugo Schmeisser (b. sept. 1924 d. sept. 12 1953) is one of the main constructors of army weapons of the 20th century, also known as the father of the Assault Rifle. Hugo Schmeisser´s own father, Lous Schmeisser (1848-1917) was a gunsmith too and worked for the weapon company Bergmann. Hugo Schmeisser also worked for Bergmann. He became famous for his constructions of sub machine guns. His most reputed sub machine gun was the MP 18.1. also world famous by the name Bergmann after the company were it was manufactured.
Hugo Schmeisser worked in Suhl for Bergmann since before WWI to the end of this war. During the inter-war period he continued to make constructions of and build weapons in Suhl, thus breaking the treaties of Versailles. He started a cooperation with the well-known company C.G. Haenel. Later on he became the head of this company. He was captured by the USA on april 3 1945 when they occupied Suhl. When USA a month later handed Thyringen over to the Red Army, Hugo Schmeisser too were, for some strange reason, delivered to them. The Red Army did not only take the head of the works, but also 10 785 technical blueprints, and used it for their own weapon constructions.
The Red Army gathered everyone who had been working at the weapon works and forced them to work for them developing weapons. On october 24 1946 he was brought to Izhevsk by train. He worked there from 1946 to 1952, and nothing is known about him from this period. He returned to Suhl in what was then Eastern Germany on june 9 1952. He died in pneumonia on september 12 1953. According to some theories he did not die as a result of natural causes.
His company C.G. Haenel, still located in Suhl, changed it´s name to "Ernst Thälmann VEB" and continued to manufacture weapons, among them the Ak47.
Last edited by Torbjörn Aronsson on 02 Apr 2006, 23:20, edited 1 time in total.
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Torbjörn Aronsson
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References
Heeresdienstforschrift (D. 1854/3).
Hans-Dieter Götz / Die deutschen Militärgewehre und Maschinenpistolen 1871-1945. Motorbuch Verlag Stuttgart 1974.
Smith & Smith / Small arms of the world. A&W Visual library. 1960.
Karl-Olof Björsell / Göta weapons historical society, publication nr. 11. (Göta vapenhistoriska sällskap, småskrift nr. 11). 1992.
Eskilstuna Armoury Museum. (Vapenmuseet i Eskilstuna).
Mauser´s Armoury Museum in Oberndorf (Vapenmuseet Mauser i Oberndorf).
John Walther / Guns of the third reich. Greenhill books. London. 2004.
Dr. Elmar Heinz / Deutsches Waffen-Journal 2004.
For further reading on the history of the Assault Rifle
Machine Rifle M35 an the new cartridge 7.9x33 (link)
MKB42(H), MKb42(W) (link)
MP43 and MP44 and StG44 (link)
MKb45(M) and CETME, H&K and Ak4 (link)
Back to the page with a variety of articles (link)
Heeresdienstforschrift (D. 1854/3).
Hans-Dieter Götz / Die deutschen Militärgewehre und Maschinenpistolen 1871-1945. Motorbuch Verlag Stuttgart 1974.
Smith & Smith / Small arms of the world. A&W Visual library. 1960.
Karl-Olof Björsell / Göta weapons historical society, publication nr. 11. (Göta vapenhistoriska sällskap, småskrift nr. 11). 1992.
Eskilstuna Armoury Museum. (Vapenmuseet i Eskilstuna).
Mauser´s Armoury Museum in Oberndorf (Vapenmuseet Mauser i Oberndorf).
John Walther / Guns of the third reich. Greenhill books. London. 2004.
Dr. Elmar Heinz / Deutsches Waffen-Journal 2004.
For further reading on the history of the Assault Rifle
Machine Rifle M35 an the new cartridge 7.9x33 (link)
MKB42(H), MKb42(W) (link)
MP43 and MP44 and StG44 (link)
MKb45(M) and CETME, H&K and Ak4 (link)
Back to the page with a variety of articles (link)
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Torbjörn Aronsson
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The Development of the Sturmgewehr (Stormkarbinen) and the Modern Assault Rifles, page 2
by O. Janson
last updated 2005-10-12
Machine rifle 42 (Haenel) - MKb42(H)
Schmeisser´s machine rifle had a new type of locking, a falling bolt instead of locking heels, that were folded, unfolded and turned. It was a very simple construction. Haenel´s first test weapon was a weapon completely made of steele except for the butt that was made from wood.
The Weapons Department (Vapenbyrån) realised that it was important to have a weapon that could be manufactured in large series. They wanted a weapon made of stained steel. Merz Werke GmbH in Frankfurt am Main was skilled in the technique with compressed steel. They were given the commission to manufacture the box, while the trigger group was manufactured by Württembergischen Metallwaren fabrik AG in Gieslingen.
Merz delivered the first boxes made of compressed sheet metal by the end of 1941. A serie concisting of 50 weapons was produced and assembled by Haenel. Half of them was delivered to the school of infantry in Döberitz on june 30, to be sent to the eastern front in november 1942 for operational tests.
The weapon was called (machine rifle) Maskin Karbin 42(H) or MKb42(H). H stood for Haenel. The weapon was very well received among the soldiers and was granted with the highest points.
by O. Janson
last updated 2005-10-12
Machine rifle 42 (Haenel) - MKb42(H)
Schmeisser´s machine rifle had a new type of locking, a falling bolt instead of locking heels, that were folded, unfolded and turned. It was a very simple construction. Haenel´s first test weapon was a weapon completely made of steele except for the butt that was made from wood.
The Weapons Department (Vapenbyrån) realised that it was important to have a weapon that could be manufactured in large series. They wanted a weapon made of stained steel. Merz Werke GmbH in Frankfurt am Main was skilled in the technique with compressed steel. They were given the commission to manufacture the box, while the trigger group was manufactured by Württembergischen Metallwaren fabrik AG in Gieslingen.
Merz delivered the first boxes made of compressed sheet metal by the end of 1941. A serie concisting of 50 weapons was produced and assembled by Haenel. Half of them was delivered to the school of infantry in Döberitz on june 30, to be sent to the eastern front in november 1942 for operational tests.
The weapon was called (machine rifle) Maskin Karbin 42(H) or MKb42(H). H stood for Haenel. The weapon was very well received among the soldiers and was granted with the highest points.
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Torbjörn Aronsson
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(image)
Some technical solutions are imitatations from the sub machine gun. When the weapon was loaded and the safety catch was on, the bolt pieces, consisting of the bolt and the piston, was fixed in a position backward. The operating handle of the mechanism was fixed in a safety position, as on the sub machine gun.
When the safety catch of the weapon was in the off position the handle was pulled down from the safety position.
At the moment of fire the bolt pieces, that were being thrown forward by the force of the recoil feather, was released. In connection with this the bolt pulled the cartridge on top in the magazine in to the chamber of the barrel.
*The rear end of the piston pressed the locking heel of the bolt in to the locking position in the box and the cartridge was fired off.
*When the flat end of the shell passed a hole in the roof of the barren, a small amount of powder gas left the barrel and entered the channel of the piston.
*This channel was a pipe stretched over the whole length of the barrel.
*The gas pressed the piston backward and the bolt was being lifted upward from the locked position and was thrown backward.
*Then the extractor on the bolt pulled out the empty shell that was thrown out from the weapon during the motion backward.
*If the switch was in the position "single round" the bolt then was fixed in a position backward.
*If the weapon had the position "automatic fire" the fire continued until the magazine was emptied or the shot let the trigger being released forward. The mechanism then was hooked in a fixed position.
MKb42(H) was equipped with a clip for a rifle shell. Some were equipped with a clip for a bayonet.
Some technical solutions are imitatations from the sub machine gun. When the weapon was loaded and the safety catch was on, the bolt pieces, consisting of the bolt and the piston, was fixed in a position backward. The operating handle of the mechanism was fixed in a safety position, as on the sub machine gun.
When the safety catch of the weapon was in the off position the handle was pulled down from the safety position.
At the moment of fire the bolt pieces, that were being thrown forward by the force of the recoil feather, was released. In connection with this the bolt pulled the cartridge on top in the magazine in to the chamber of the barrel.
*The rear end of the piston pressed the locking heel of the bolt in to the locking position in the box and the cartridge was fired off.
*When the flat end of the shell passed a hole in the roof of the barren, a small amount of powder gas left the barrel and entered the channel of the piston.
*This channel was a pipe stretched over the whole length of the barrel.
*The gas pressed the piston backward and the bolt was being lifted upward from the locked position and was thrown backward.
*Then the extractor on the bolt pulled out the empty shell that was thrown out from the weapon during the motion backward.
*If the switch was in the position "single round" the bolt then was fixed in a position backward.
*If the weapon had the position "automatic fire" the fire continued until the magazine was emptied or the shot let the trigger being released forward. The mechanism then was hooked in a fixed position.
MKb42(H) was equipped with a clip for a rifle shell. Some were equipped with a clip for a bayonet.
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Torbjörn Aronsson
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- Joined: 18 Feb 2006, 19:06
- Location: Sweden
(image) MKb42(H) was equipped with a clip for a rifle shell. Some were also equipped with a clip for a bayonet for the ordinary german bayonet SG.84/98. Note that there are weapons manufactured during the same month both with and without clip for a bayonet.
Technical data on MKb42(H)
Name Machinenkarabiner 42 (Haenel) - MKb42(H)
Year of production 1942-43
Manufacturer C.G. Haenels weapon factory in Suhl
Function Fully automatic reloaded with gas with a hole drilled in the barrel
Total length 940 mm
Weight (with empty magazine) 5.2 kg
Principle Shoots from an open bolt fixed in a higher position
Length of barrel 365 mm
Calibre 7.9 mm
Bolt Falling locked bolt
Safety catch Press stud
Magazine Haenels 30-shots magazine
Sight Bowsight 100-800 m
Number of rifles 4 to the right
Ammunition Pistol cartridge 43 (8x33 mm)
Telescopic sight Available on some
Mechanical rate of fire 550-600 shots/min
Speed of bullet V25t 685 m/s
Technical data on MKb42(H)
Name Machinenkarabiner 42 (Haenel) - MKb42(H)
Year of production 1942-43
Manufacturer C.G. Haenels weapon factory in Suhl
Function Fully automatic reloaded with gas with a hole drilled in the barrel
Total length 940 mm
Weight (with empty magazine) 5.2 kg
Principle Shoots from an open bolt fixed in a higher position
Length of barrel 365 mm
Calibre 7.9 mm
Bolt Falling locked bolt
Safety catch Press stud
Magazine Haenels 30-shots magazine
Sight Bowsight 100-800 m
Number of rifles 4 to the right
Ammunition Pistol cartridge 43 (8x33 mm)
Telescopic sight Available on some
Mechanical rate of fire 550-600 shots/min
Speed of bullet V25t 685 m/s
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Torbjörn Aronsson
- Member
- Posts: 108
- Joined: 18 Feb 2006, 19:06
- Location: Sweden
The development of the machine rifle was prevented from highest authority. The military high command recented the concept of two different cartridges for the same infantry unit. Furthermore it wasn´t as beautiful during excercise as a rifle!
Hitler also didn´t understand this new thinking with an adjusted cartridge. He recented the idea of a modern cartridge adapted for modern warfare. In the memoirs of Albert Speer it is written for June 28-29 1942 paragraph 55:
"The Führer is determined when he explaines that the production of a machine rifle never has been approved since it is not using rifle ammunition. Furthermore he is convinced that in a comparizon the rifle will be better for the task."
I don´t have time for these innovations now. (image)
I´m off for war !!!!
Hitler changed his mind during the summer of 1944, changed his order and gave the highest priority to the production of short ammunition and MP 44. He gave the weapon a new name "Sturmgewehr" (StG).
Hitler also didn´t understand this new thinking with an adjusted cartridge. He recented the idea of a modern cartridge adapted for modern warfare. In the memoirs of Albert Speer it is written for June 28-29 1942 paragraph 55:
"The Führer is determined when he explaines that the production of a machine rifle never has been approved since it is not using rifle ammunition. Furthermore he is convinced that in a comparizon the rifle will be better for the task."
I don´t have time for these innovations now. (image)
I´m off for war !!!!
Hitler changed his mind during the summer of 1944, changed his order and gave the highest priority to the production of short ammunition and MP 44. He gave the weapon a new name "Sturmgewehr" (StG).
Last edited by Torbjörn Aronsson on 17 Apr 2006, 10:47, edited 1 time in total.
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Torbjörn Aronsson
- Member
- Posts: 108
- Joined: 18 Feb 2006, 19:06
- Location: Sweden
Machine rifle (Maskinkarbin) 42 (Walther) - MKb42(W)
In the meantime Fritz Walther, head of the well-known weapon company Walther, heard about the project with a machine rifle and started to develop a construction of his own. He presented his ideas in 1940 and in 1941 he was given the assignment to produce 200 test weapons. Walther´s test weapon was called MKb42(W) and two were finished in the beginning of 1942.
Walther´s construction too were based on the principle of reloading with gas, but has an unusual construction. The barrel was covered with a tube of steel, that at the same time worked as a gas-tube and as a front piston. The Walther works had gained more experience in compressed sheet metal than Haenel. In the middle of the barrel two holes had been drilled to the bore, one from each side of the barrel. Behind these two holes there were a ring wrapped around the barrel functioning as a gasket for the powder gases from the barrel. This ring could be pushed to the back and front along the length of the barrel. When the bulled passed the two holes the powder gases streamed through them pushing the ring wrapped around the barrel backwards. The ring in turn effected an inner cylinder with the lower part removed with a mill. This cylinder was being pressed backward and effecting two locking heels at the front edge of the bolt. During the motion backward they are being turned 20 degrees so that the bolt is unlocked. Now the bolt could be completely opened and the shell ejected. The recoil feather then again pushed the bolt forward and a new cartridge was pulled in to the chamber. The cylinder and the ring too were being pushed forward by the recoil feather.
It should be noted that Walther´s construction was shooting from a so called closed bolt wich made it more easy to shoot well-aimed bullets with.
In the meantime Fritz Walther, head of the well-known weapon company Walther, heard about the project with a machine rifle and started to develop a construction of his own. He presented his ideas in 1940 and in 1941 he was given the assignment to produce 200 test weapons. Walther´s test weapon was called MKb42(W) and two were finished in the beginning of 1942.
Walther´s construction too were based on the principle of reloading with gas, but has an unusual construction. The barrel was covered with a tube of steel, that at the same time worked as a gas-tube and as a front piston. The Walther works had gained more experience in compressed sheet metal than Haenel. In the middle of the barrel two holes had been drilled to the bore, one from each side of the barrel. Behind these two holes there were a ring wrapped around the barrel functioning as a gasket for the powder gases from the barrel. This ring could be pushed to the back and front along the length of the barrel. When the bulled passed the two holes the powder gases streamed through them pushing the ring wrapped around the barrel backwards. The ring in turn effected an inner cylinder with the lower part removed with a mill. This cylinder was being pressed backward and effecting two locking heels at the front edge of the bolt. During the motion backward they are being turned 20 degrees so that the bolt is unlocked. Now the bolt could be completely opened and the shell ejected. The recoil feather then again pushed the bolt forward and a new cartridge was pulled in to the chamber. The cylinder and the ring too were being pushed forward by the recoil feather.
It should be noted that Walther´s construction was shooting from a so called closed bolt wich made it more easy to shoot well-aimed bullets with.
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Torbjörn Aronsson
- Member
- Posts: 108
- Joined: 18 Feb 2006, 19:06
- Location: Sweden
(image)
Note that Walther´s MKb42(W) too were eqipped with a clip for the bayonet SG.84/98. Picture from the Royal Pattern Room.
The MKb42(W) is easy to separate from Haenel´s machine rifel due to the different front stock wich is shaped like a tube and due to the large distance between the fastening of the magazine and the trigger guard. There is also a large opening for ejecting the empty shells that is clearly visible on the picture above.
[/u]Walthers model also had it´s weaknesses:
The ejector hole for the shells was far to big and is opening upward and to the left as you can see on the picture above. Here snow and dirt comes directly in to the inner parts of the weapon. During the first tests with troops in Döberitz in december 1942 it came clear that the system was complicated and sensible for operational disturbances. Already at normal usage there were malfunctions. As a consequence Walther ended his experiments with the machine rifle. Some argues that over 8.000 MKb42(W):s has been manufactured but this can not be proved to be true. The serial numbers does not start with 1. The few weapons known today fell in to the hands of the USA at the end of the war or were captured on the battlefield by the Red Army.
(image)
The weapon is equipped with a clip for the bayonet SG.84/98 and the base of the sight has a rail for the montage of a binocular.
Note that Walther´s MKb42(W) too were eqipped with a clip for the bayonet SG.84/98. Picture from the Royal Pattern Room.
The MKb42(W) is easy to separate from Haenel´s machine rifel due to the different front stock wich is shaped like a tube and due to the large distance between the fastening of the magazine and the trigger guard. There is also a large opening for ejecting the empty shells that is clearly visible on the picture above.
[/u]Walthers model also had it´s weaknesses:
The ejector hole for the shells was far to big and is opening upward and to the left as you can see on the picture above. Here snow and dirt comes directly in to the inner parts of the weapon. During the first tests with troops in Döberitz in december 1942 it came clear that the system was complicated and sensible for operational disturbances. Already at normal usage there were malfunctions. As a consequence Walther ended his experiments with the machine rifle. Some argues that over 8.000 MKb42(W):s has been manufactured but this can not be proved to be true. The serial numbers does not start with 1. The few weapons known today fell in to the hands of the USA at the end of the war or were captured on the battlefield by the Red Army.
(image)
The weapon is equipped with a clip for the bayonet SG.84/98 and the base of the sight has a rail for the montage of a binocular.
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Torbjörn Aronsson
- Member
- Posts: 108
- Joined: 18 Feb 2006, 19:06
- Location: Sweden
Technical data on MKb42(W)
Name Maschinenkarabiner 42 (Walther) - MKb42(W)
Year of production 1942-43
Manufacturer Walther
Function Fully automatic reloaded with gas with 2 holes drilled in the barrel
Total length 133 mm
Weight (with empty magazine) 4.42 kg
Principle Shoots from a locked and closed bolt
Length of barrel 409 mm
Calibre 79 mm
Bolt Two lock-heels that is set free when reloading with gas
Safety catch Press stud
Magazine Haenel´s 30-shot magazine
Sight Bowsight 100-800 m
Number of rifles 4 to the right
Ammunition Pistol cartridge 43 (8x33 mm)
Binocular sight Unknown
Mechanical rate of fire 550-600 shots/minute
Speed of bullet V25t 685 m/s
Name Maschinenkarabiner 42 (Walther) - MKb42(W)
Year of production 1942-43
Manufacturer Walther
Function Fully automatic reloaded with gas with 2 holes drilled in the barrel
Total length 133 mm
Weight (with empty magazine) 4.42 kg
Principle Shoots from a locked and closed bolt
Length of barrel 409 mm
Calibre 79 mm
Bolt Two lock-heels that is set free when reloading with gas
Safety catch Press stud
Magazine Haenel´s 30-shot magazine
Sight Bowsight 100-800 m
Number of rifles 4 to the right
Ammunition Pistol cartridge 43 (8x33 mm)
Binocular sight Unknown
Mechanical rate of fire 550-600 shots/minute
Speed of bullet V25t 685 m/s