Gast M1917 double machine gun

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The only rifle-caliber machine gun developed in Germany during the First World War , it became quite curious double-barreled gun - gun «Gast» ( also used the name - " Gast gun "). In 1917, Germany was declared requirements for aircraft machine gun firing at a rate higher than 700 rds . / Min , suitable for moving aircraft installations. At the same time, the German engineer of «Vorwerk und Companie» Karl Gast was invented quickfirer 7.92 mm, later received the name «Gast-Maschinengewehr Modell 1917 '. The first model of the system was released in 1916. Gast patented his invention , describing it as a " double-barreled gun with sliding shafts ." During target practice could reach a value of 1600 rounds per minute.
The new gun was shown Gast artillery specialists , and so impressed the past that the company «Vorwerk und Companie», which employed Charles Gast , was made an order for 3,000 pieces with a set of 10 drum stores and spare parts for each product at the price of 6,800 marks per gun . Release of the first one hundred guns was expected in June 1918 , with an increase in output to 500 guns a month by September 1918 . In the end, the number of guns manufactured Gast exceeded previously scheduled , a new tool was graciously accepted into service with the promise of order another 6,000 guns in the future. However, they now intend to use in the air defense system - affecting a growing Allied air superiority , although some did experience on the aircraft . Along with the basic version of the machine gun was developed variant chambered for caliber 13 mm ( gun Gast - Flieger ) . He used the same type of cartridge as the Maxim machine gun , and had two box- store. However, Gast gun was not widely used , and its existence was kept secret by the Germans for three years after the end of World War II. Only in 1921, the Allied Control Commission expressed concern about the existence of a machine gun Gast , when a party of 25 machine-guns and ammunition was found at Konigsberg , but only registered 1,314 machine guns, and complete sets of parts. Although at the beginning of 1918 this gun was sent for testing, officially it never was adopted .
Double-barreled gun «Gast»
Karl Gast applied for a U.S. patent for his invention in 1920 , which was granted in 1923. The principle of the gun Gast demonstrated its high efficiency, and received the name of the scheme Gast , found its application in modern large-caliber weapons. Compared with a competing scheme Gatling Gast scheme can significantly reduce the size and weight of the weapon , but has a lower rate of fire. Gast machine gun used by the U.S. Army and has established itself as a practical and reliable weapon . However, it was believed that the scheme does not provide enough advantages over existing systems , to the cost of its production were considered cost-effective. The current layout Gatling is mainly used in the U.S. Army (GAU- 8 Avenger, M61 Vulcan), while Gast scheme is widely used in Russia . After the Second World War Gast scheme was developed in the Soviet Union , where it was performed several successful aviapushek : GS-23 , GS -30-2 .
Double-barreled gun «Gast»
Machinegun «Gast» - small rapid- barreled gun. In Gast machine gun for the first time in the world produced the so-called " dependent pairing trunks ", that is their automatics were linked . So when the shot of one of the machine guns under the impact was on the back gate , another gate by the action of the first moving ahead and carry out the necessary operations of reloading and firing a shot in the second machine gun , and then moved back a second gate ( in return ) , and the first gate - go ahead . As the weapon recoil action gun «Gast» shot from each barrel in turn , hinge connecting arm movement turned a rollback mechanism in action in another charger . Both machine operated by the scheme returns the trunk with a short course , cinematically linked their rocker . The barrel is locked by a rotary produced larvae in the form of video , vertically fixed to the receiver. Return rate of the moving forward produced is equal to the rate of return , and the overall rate of fire of 1,600 rounds reached . / Min , the size and weight were lower than usual for Complex machine guns , and a recoil momentum transferred to the support does not exceed the momentum of one of the barrel. Submission of ammunition carried twin drum magazine spring , every 180 rounds of 7.92 mm machine gun and reached a very decent rate of fire - 1200 rounds per minute. Without ammunition , he weighed almost 20 kg ( 44 pounds ) and was considered to be too heavy for use by infantry , but fit for aircraft.

The performance characteristics of the machine gun Gast
Cartridge - 7,92 x57 " Mauser "
Mass of the "body" machine gun unloaded, kg - 18.5
Length of the "body" machine gun , mm - 1470
Barrel length , mm - 720
Right-handed rifling - 4
Muzzle velocity , m / s 895
Rate of fire , rds . / Min - 1300-1600
Magazine capacity , rounds - 2x180
Type of anti-aircraft tripod
The angle of the horizontal guidance , degrees - 360

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Gast 1917

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Gast m1917

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After the Second World War Gast scheme was developed in the Soviet Union , where it was performed several successful aviapushek : GS-23 , GS -30-2 .
http://www.google.ru/imgres?imgurl=http ... %3Fid%3D12

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Gast m1917

The weapon has piprekyl with recoil reinforcement and actually consists of two interconnected machine guns, which fired alternately. On the box's left side is the guest-gewehr CAL. 8 m / m. VORWERK & CO. Barmen. At the front of the box over the side stand is 1918 and the number 81 and a stamp with an eagle. In the attachment plate kikar- or aircraft sight is D.R.P.a. (Deutsches Reich Patent Remember me Have you, number 61, and a sort of monogram of ZHW. Behind cartridge intakes to the left 2, a crowned gothic L and 1. In both places there is additionally a stamp with the letters S & S in the oval frame. On each bolt is Simson & Co., Suhl. in addition, the weapon found no other marks. the gun shoots the German rifle cartridge m / 1898th of the machine gun now existing apparatus for attaching the pivotlavettage has påsatts at the shooting school at Rosersberg.
http://digitaltmuseum.se/011024404293?r ... gast&pos=0