The German Aircraft Machine Gun, M.G. 81, 7.92 mm, is a Mauser designed air-cooled, belt-fed, recoil-operated (gas assisted) weapon which fires from an open bolt. The weapon is light and easily manufactured and is now used in place of the German M.G. 15 in many German aircraft. It is a flexibly mounted gun and serves as an observer’s weapon.
A “Solothurn type” bolt head is rotated by cams and locked to the barrel by an interrupted thread. It appears to be a speeded-up type of the light machine gun, M.G. 34. The higher rate of fire is achieved by a powerful buffer spring fitted into the body, as well as by general lengthening of all parts, and some redesign. The recoil operation is assisted by a nuzzle booster. The barrel is unusually short, being only 183 inches long. A push-type safety catch is located in the trigger guard just forward of the trigger. This can be moved only when the gun is cocked.
The weapon is fired only at full-automatic fire. The method of feeding is by a disintegrating-link belt through the feed block. A barrel casing made of perforated sheet metal encloses the barrel and fits into a sleeve which screws into the front of the body. The weapon has a muzzle booster which screws onto the barrel housing. This weapon is made and used in a dual mount with single trigger operation for both mounts.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Caliber | 7.92 mm. (.312 in.) | |
| Weight | 13 lb., 14 oz. | |
| Length | 35 ins. | |
| Length of barrel | 18.75 ins. | |
| Operation | Recoil, gas assisted | |
| Fire | Automatic only | |
| Muzzle velocity* | 2,500-3,000 f/s | |
| Rate of fire | 1,200 to 1.500 rds./min. | |
| Ammunition | All 7.92 mm Mauser types |
*Muzzle velocity varies according to ammunition used.
German: p. 221