Published on
September 10, 2010 in
German.
This antitank weapon, a manually operated, magazine-fed, air-cooled, high-velocity rifle which was standardized for production in 1941, fires the same necked-down cartridge as the Panzerbüchse 39. Although classified as an antitank rifle, the use of heavier armor on modern tanks has rendered the weapon effective against lightly-armored vehicles only.
A hinged bipod similar to that of the MG 34 is attached to the front of the receiver jacket. It folds forward for convenience in carrying. The gun is also equipped With carrying handle and sling; the former is fitted to the top of the barrel group, and the latter is attached on the right side at the bipod and back plate assembly.
A “U” type rear sight and an adjustable front sight of the square block type fold to the rear when not in use.
The gun is put in a “Safe” position by pulling the barrel housing lock extension 1/4-inch to the rear so that its rear alignment mark is aligned with the mark “S” on the barrel housing lock. When in this position, the trigger cannot be pulled, nor can the action be opened. If the trigger is pulled while the action is not entirely closed, the gun will not fire. It is necessary to release the trigger and pull it again in order to release the sear. When the magazine is empty, the action is kept open by the protrusion of the magazine follower which stops the rearward movement of the barrel housing.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber |
|
7.92 mm (.312 in.) |
| Weight (with empty magazine) |
|
29 3/4 lbs. |
| Length (overall) |
|
59 1/4 ins. |
| Sight radius |
|
30 15/16 ins. |
| Principle of operation |
|
Manually operated |
| Feeding device |
|
Magazine |
| Capacity of feeding device |
|
6 rounds |
| Cooling system |
|
Air |
| Ammunition types |
|
13 mm case necked down to 7.92 mm. Same as used in the PZ B39. See Page 211.) |
| Rate of fire |
| Type of sight |
|
“U” type rear sight; square block type front sight. |
| Weight of barrel (w/ fittings) |
|
13 1/4 lbs. |
| Length of barrel |
|
43 3/8 ins. |
| Length of rifling |
| Rifling |
| Twist |
|
R.H. |
| Form |
| No. of grooves |
|
4 |
| Depth of grooves |
| Width of grooves |
| Muzzle velocity (estimated) |
|
3,540 f/s |
| Type of mount |
|
Bipod |
German: p. 210.1
Published on
September 10, 2010 in
German.
During the Polish invasion, the Germans captured large numbers of the Mascerzek Model 35, 7.92 mm antitank rifle. These were used extensively in the earlier part of the war.
This Polish rifle is a weapon similar in design to a Mauser rifle firing a normal cartridge, but it is longer and heavier, and a muzzle brake has been attached. It led to the development of the German rifles, known as the Pz. B. 38 and Pz. B. 39.
This weapon is a bolt-action gun of the modified Mauser type and has a detachable box magazine. It is carried by a sling attached in the usual manner. It may be recharged with ammunition by exchanging the magazine or by reloading the empty magazine with single rounds. The body is a hollow cylinder with an ejection and loading aperature on top and a magazine slot at the bottom. The bolt is cylindrical with a straight lever at right angles on the right side (in the closed position).
The barrel, which is parallel throughout most of its length, increases in diameter toward the breech until it equals that of the body. At the muzzle, a portion is threaded to take a muzzle brake. The bipod is of light construction and is attached to the barrel by a yoke. The legs of the bipod terminate in circular shoes which are cut away on the inside to clasp the barrel when they are folded forward in a closed position. The magazine is of the box type.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber |
|
7.92 mm (.312 in.) |
| Weight |
|
20 lb. (approx.) |
| Length |
|
5 ft., 10 ins. |
| Ammunition |
|
Steel jacket with A.P. steel core and lead antimony filler |
| Sights |
|
Rear, fixed; front, adjustable blade |
| Capacity |
|
5 rds., in clips |
| Muzzle velocity |
|
4,100 f/s |
German: p. 210
Published on
August 29, 2010 in
German.
This is the German semi-automatic rifle performing approximately the same tactical mission as the United States, Cal. 30, M1 rifle. It is gas-operated, clip-fed, and air-cooled. It is a shoulder weapon, slightly heavier than the American semi-automatic. Three versions exist, the G 41 (M) which is probably an interim model, the G-41 and the G 41 (W) which are more than likely the final or production types.
The rifle is well made, but quite difficult to manufacture. Stampings are used wherever possible.
In lieu of the customary gas port, a form of gas trap is used, so designed that when attached to the muzzle it makes it necessary for the bullet, after leaving the barrel, to jump a gap and momentarily block the muzzle opening of the cone. The resulting gas pressure then drives a gas piston, in the form of a collar around the barrel, to the rear. The action is imparted to an operating rod the end of which is in contact with the forward end of the retractor slide which is also driven to the rear. A projection on the underside of the retractor slide engages the bolt locking lugs, withdrawing them from the locking recesses in the receiver. The bolt assembly and retractor slide then recoil together for the remainder of the recoil distance. Extraction and ejection are accomplished in the usual manner.
A thorough test at Aberdeen proved the G 41 (W) is much inferior to the U.S. Rifle, Cal. 30, M1, in reliability under severe conditions. It fell down especially in the mud and rain tests, and breakages were very numerous.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber |
|
7.92 mm (.312 in.) |
| Weight of rifle w/o bayonet and sling |
|
10 1/4 lb. |
| Length w/o bayonet |
|
45 ins. |
| Length of barrel |
|
21.6 ins. |
| Principle of operation |
|
Gas—semi-automatic |
| Cooling system |
|
Air |
| Magazine system and capacity |
| Fixed vertical box |
|
10 rds. staggered |
| Method of feed |
|
two 5-round Mauser rifle clips |
| Sight radius |
|
21.2 ins. |
| Sights |
|
Blade front sight with “T” base and tangent leaf rear sight graduated from 100 to 1,200 meters. No windage adjustment. |
| Rifling |
|
4 grooves, uniform right-hand twist |
| Muzzle velocity |
|
2,408 f/s (in a worn barrel) |
| Trigger pull |
|
7-8 lb. |
| Ammunition used |
|
All 7.92 mm Mauser rifle types |
| Total number of parts |
|
102 |
| Number of coil springs |
|
13 |
| Number of flat springs |
|
4 |
| Time to fieldstrip |
|
3 1/4 seconds |
| Time to assemble from fieldstrip |
|
4 3/4 seconds |
| Time to diassemble |
|
3 min., 57 sec. |
| Time to assemble |
|
8 min., 32 sec. |
German: p. 208
Published on
July 30, 2010 in
German.
This is the standard shoulder weapon of the German Army and is very similar to the M1903 rifle used in the American Army. Known as the Mauser Kar. 98K, it may be regarded as a carbine or a short rifle.
This rifle has no windage adjustment or peep sight but gives good results at medium range. It is a bolt-operated, magazine-fed shoulder weapon.
Older models of this weapon, which operate in the same fashion, differ only in having longer barrels and in minor variations in fittings. They are known as the Gewehr 98, Kar. 98, and Kar. 98B.
The safety is a thumb-operated lever mounted on the bolt plug, operating in the same manner as the safety on the U.S. Rifle, M1903 (Springfield). The rifle is also loaded in the same manner as the M1903 rifle—the empty clip being ejected as the bolt is closed. Double-pull trigger action is also similar. A short knife bayonet is made for this rifle and several types of rifle grenade launchers may be attached. At least two different types of telescopic sights are found when this rifle is used for sniping. One is the ZF39, a conventional Zeiss 4X sight attached to mounts which are fitted to the receiver ring and bridge. The other, the ZF41, is a short 1 1/2 x scope with long eye-relief of 16 3/4 in. which is attached to the rifle by a side mount which is attached to the left side of the rear sight base.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber |
|
7.92 mm (.312 in.) |
| Weight (approx.) |
|
9 lb. |
| Overall length |
|
43.5 ins. |
| Length of barrel |
|
23.4 ins. |
| Principle of operation |
|
Manually operated bolt action |
| Capacity of magazine |
|
5 rds. |
| Sights |
| Front |
|
Inverted V blade (which is sometimes equipped with a hood) |
| Rear |
|
Leaf with open V notch sliding on ramp, graduated from 100 to 2,000 meters. |
| Telescopic |
|
See Text |
| Muzzle velocity |
|
2,600-2,700 f/s |
| Range |
| Maximum (approx.) |
|
2,500 to 3,000 yds. |
| Effective (approx.) |
|
600 to 800 yds. |
| Ammunition |
|
7.92 mm German Mauser ground types |
German: p. 207
Published on
July 24, 2010 in
German.
The German Paratroop Rifle, F.G. 42, 7.92 mm (Fallschirmjäger Gewehr 42) is a gas-operated, magazine-fed, semi-automatic or full-automatic weapon. It was designed originally for paratroop use, but undoubtedly will find a wider use with ground troops. It can be employed as a submachine gun, a rifle, or a light machine gun as occasion indicates. The action design is very similar to that of the well-known Lewis light machine gun. The sear mechanism is designed to fire the gun semi-automatic from a closed bolt and full-automatic from an open bolt.
This weapon is unusual in construction and light in weight. The butt is made of stampings of 16 gauge sheet metal, ridged to prevent slipping and to add structural strength. The receiver is of high quality machining. The magazine opening is on the left side and the ejector opening on the right side. The trigger guard and pistol grip are stampings and the whole assembly is inclined at a 10° angle in order to give a comfortable grip to the firer. The hand guard is wood, with holes slotted in the upper side to facilitate cooling, and with milled ridges to prevent slipping in the grasp. The bipod is also a metal stamping and is hinged to the barrel collar. The bipod legs fold forward to form a protective housing for the bayonet underneath the barrel.
The 19-inch barrel is machined with 4 lands and grooves; there is no quick-change barrel feature to this weapon. A combination flash hider and compensator is affixed to the muzzle. The magazine is a removable box type holding 20 rounds. The gun may be operated either semi-automatic or full-automatic by use of a change lever which also acts as a safety lock.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber |
|
7.92 mm (.312 in.) |
| Weight |
|
10 3/4 lb. loaded |
| Length |
|
35 1/2 ins.; with bayonet, 42 3/4 ins. |
| Length of barrel |
|
19 ins. |
| Action |
|
Gas-operated, semi-automatic, or full-automatic |
| Capacity |
|
20 rds. |
| Ammunition |
|
7.92 mm Mauser, ground types |
| Rate of fire |
|
600 rds./min. cyclic |
German: p. 209
Published on
March 30, 2010 in
German.
The German grenade-throwing rifle (Granatbüchse 39) is a modification of the Pz. B 39 antitank rifle. The breech and shoulder stock are the same. Some parts, such as the bipod, bipod lock, carrying sling, sling band, and carrying handle are the same as on the Pz. B 39 but are at different locations on the barrel.
The barrel has been shortened to 24 1/8 inches. At the forward end, 4 7/16 inches of the barrel have been turned down to 13/16-inch diameter, and threaded back approximately 1 3/8 inch to accommodate the launcher base. The standard sights have been replaced by special sight equipment. The wooden forearm has been removed, and the carrying sling has been changed to the right side because of the position of the new sights. The bipod mount is located 6 3/4 inches forward of the breech.
The launcher threaded to the barrel is the Scheissbecher, which is also used on the Mauser Kar 98K rifle, firing the same grenades as with the present weapon. The launcher is 7 inches long; the inner tube is 5 1/8 inches long and 1 1/2-inch in external diameter.
Three types of grenades can be fired from the weapon: (1) antipersonnel grenade (Gewehr Sprenggranate); (2) small antitank grenade (Gewehr Panzergranate); (3) large antitank grenade (Gross Gewehr Panzergranate). The propelling medium used is a wooden bulleted blank cartridge. The cartridge case used is a standard 7.92/13 mm case such as is used in the Pz. B 39 antitank rifle.
SPECIFICATIONS
|
|
| Caliber of launcher |
|
3 cm (1.18 in.) |
| Weight |
|
23 lb. |
| Length |
|
48 1/2 ins. extended |
|
|
35 3/4 ins. folded |
| Length of barrel |
|
24 1/8 ins. |
| Length of barrel with discharger |
|
29 1/2 ins. |
| Feed |
|
Handfeed |
| Effective range |
|
80 yds. on moving targets |
|
|
136 yds. on stationary targets |
| Front sight |
|
Special grid type sight graduated up to 150 meters for the Gewehr Panzergranate grenade |
| Hear sight |
|
Fixed sight with open U notch |
German: p. 212
Published on
March 30, 2010 in
German.
The German antitank rifle, Pz. B 39, 7.92 mm, is a weapon of opportunity which is used by the German Army against vehicles having light and medium armor. It fires a cartridge similar to that used in the Polish Mascerzek antitank rifle. This cartridge also resembles the American .50/.30 which has been under development in this country since 1931.
The projectile has a tungsten carbide core and is known to have a small pellet of a lachrymator as well as a tracer mixture. Penetrating power of the bullet at 300 yards’ range is 3/4 inch at 20°, and 1 inch at normal against face-hardened plate. At 100 yards’ range, penetration is 1 1/4 inches at normal.
The weapon has proved to be a simple and reliable gun. The recoil is comparatively light. The rifle is manually loaded and fired single shot from the shoulder with the aid of a bipod. It is equipped with a circular turbine muzzle brake.
The Germans also have an earlier version of this weapon known as the Pz. B 38 which is 7 pounds heavier, has a self-ejecting action, and is more elaborate than the hand-operated Pz. B 39. It fires the same ammunition as the more recent rifle.
The Pz. B 39 uses ammunition boxes holding 10 rounds each, mounted on brackets on each side of the wood stock. These are not magazines but serve to hold the ammunition so that it can be quickly and easily removed for hand loading.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber |
|
7.92 mm (.312 in.) |
| Weight |
|
27.25 lb. |
| Length (with shoulder stock extended) |
|
62.25 ins. |
| Ammunition |
|
13 mm case necked down to 7.92 mm. Bullet has tungsten carbide core with tracer and lachrymotor mixture. |
| Sights |
|
Rear, fixed with open U notch. Front covered blade. |
| Capacity |
|
Single rounds |
| Muzzle velocity |
|
3,540 f/s |
German: p. 211
Published on
January 17, 2010 in
Japanese.
Both of the weapons shown above are basically the same as the Japanese 7.7 mm standard infantry rifle, Model 99. They have been designed, however, to incorporate a takedown feature which enables them to be used by paratroop units. Manufactured at Nagoya Arsenal, they are manually-operated, bolt-action, magazine-fed, clip-loaded rifles.
The modified Model 99 differs from the basic weapon in the following respects: the barrel locking adaptor is secured to the receiver; the barrel is secured into the adaptor by interrupted screw threads; the bolt handle is detachable; and the stock is in two parts.
The Model 2, called “Teraju” by the Japanese, is of much better workmanship than the Modified Model 99. The barrel and front end are detached from the stock at the receiver ring. When taken down, the barrel section is 25 1/2 inches long; the stock 20 1/4inches. Total weight of the loaded weapon is 8.9 pounds. The takedown system is simple and sturdy. The barrel has a straight, unthreaded shank with a lug on the bottom. The shank fits into a socket in front of the receiver. A tapered locking key passes through the receiver (from right to left) and engages in front of the barrel lug. The key cannot be taken out completely, but may be withdrawn far enough to allow removal of the barrel. It is locked in place by screwing a nut on the right side into the receiver wall.
A spring actuated plunger located in the front end of the buttstock locks the barrel and forestock in position. This plunger must be retracted before the barrel can be rotated for takedown.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Weight | |
8.9 lbs. |
| Length | |
44″ |
| Principle of operation | |
Manual, bolt-operated |
| Feeding device | |
Clip |
| Capacity of feeding device | |
5 rounds |
| Ammunition types | |
Model 99 rimless |
| Type of sight | |
Front: inverted “V” blade on “T” base; Rear: leaf graduated from 328 to 1,640 yds. with aperature sight and aperture battle sight side arms for A.A. fire. |
| Weight of barrel |
| Length of barrel | |
25 7/8″ |
| Length of rifling |
| Rifling: |
| Twist | |
Uniform, right hand; one turn in approx. 10 ins. |
| Form | |
Metford segmental |
| No. of grooves | |
4 |
| Depth of grooves |
| Width of grooves |
| Chamber pressure |
| Muzzle velocity | |
2,360 f/s |
| Maximum range | |
3,000 yds. |
| Effective range | |
600 yds. |
Japanese: p. 212.1 (May 1, 1945)
Published on
January 2, 2010 in
German.
The Karabiner 43, a gas-operated, semi-automatic, magazine-fed, air-cooled shoulder weapon, is basically the same in design as the Gewehr 41 (W) described on page 208. Two notable changes found in the later weapon are a modified gas operation and a change in manufacturing policy.
This weapon utilizes a gas vent and gas piston, a method used for the first time in German small arms weapons in the Fallschirmjäger Gewehr 42. The improved gas operation insures more positive operation, and malfunctions due to carbonization are less likely to occur.
A great deal of effort was put into an attempt to reduce the time and expense in the manufacture of this weapon. In order to accomplish this, forgings and stampings were used in as many parts as was practical. Machined or ground surfaces are found only where necessary to insure proper operation. The bolt, bolt channel, and contacting surfaces of the trigger group are included in these. Such surfaces as the outside of the receiver, the top of the retractor slide, and the non-contacting surfaces of the trigger group are left untouched.
Several other slight changes were made, the most notable being the use of a ten-round, detachable box-type magazine; the addition of a threaded section on the muzzle making it possible to attach a flash hider or an adapter which is used with blank ammunition; the omission of the bayonet stud; and the addition of a telescopic sight base indicating that the Kar. 43 is intended for use as a special weapon. The weapon is lighter and better balanced than the Gewehr 41 (W) due to the elimination of the gas trap assembly at the muzzle and the long piston rod.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber | | 7.92 mm (.312 in.) |
| Weight | | 8 lb., 9 oz. |
| Length | | 44 1/4 ins. |
| Principle of operation | | Gas |
| Feeding device | | Detachable box-type magazine |
| Capacity of feeding device | | 10 rounds |
| Cooling system | | Air |
| Ammunition used | | All 7.92 mm Mauser types |
| Type of sight | | Parallel sided, flat top blade type front sight. Tangent leaf rear sight graduated from 100 to 1,200 meters. Telescopic sight base at rear of right side of receiver. |
| Length of barrel | | 22 ins. |
| Rifling |
| Twist Uniform R.H. |
| Form |
| No. of grooves | | 4 |
| Depth of grooves |
| Width of grooves |
| Chamber pressure |
| Muzzle velocity |
| Muzzle energy |
| Maximum range |
| Effective range |
German: p. 208.2
Published on
January 2, 2010 in
German.
The Gewehr 41 (M) is a self-loading, gas-operated, clip-fed, air-cooled shoulder weapon. It is basically the same as the Gewehr 41 (W) except for several changes that have been made in the manufacture and appearance.
Most of the parts of the Gewehr 41 (M) are machined pieces with the exception of the magazine well, follower, piston rod and butt plate. The majority of the machined pieces have had no further finishing, but are of a very high quality. The upper band, lower band, magazine well, magazine follower, trigger guard, piston rod, dust cover and butt plate of the Gewehr 41 (M) are stamped pieces.
The differences between the Gewehr 41 (M) and the Gewehr 41 (W) are as follows: the piston rod of the G. 41 (M) terminates in a yoke, the two arms of which extend rearward and contact the bolt head. The piston rod of the G. 41 (W) is one piece and is in direct contact with the bolt retractor slide. The handguard of the G. 41 (M) is made of wood unlike that of the G. 41 (W) which is plastic.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber |
|
7.92 mm (.312 in.) |
| Weight |
|
10 lb., 13 oz. |
| Length without bayonet |
|
46 1/8 ins. |
| Principle of operation |
|
Gas |
| Feeding device |
|
Vertical box-type magazine |
| Capacity of feeding device |
|
10 rounds |
| Cooling system |
|
Air |
| Ammunition used |
|
All 7.92 mm Mauser types |
| Type of sight |
|
Inverted V blade type front sight; tangent leaf rear sight; graduated 200 to 1,200 meters. |
| Length of barrel |
|
21 1/2 ins. |
| Rifling |
| Twist |
|
Uniform R.H. twist |
| Form |
| No. of grooves |
|
4 |
| Depth of grooves |
| Width of grooves |
| Chamber pressure |
| Muzzle velocity |
| Muzzle energy |
| Maximum range |
| Effective range |
German: p. 208.1
