Tag: rifle

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German

7.92 mm Gewehr 33/40: Carbine

German 7.92 mm Gewehr 33/40: Carbine

This carbine, a typical Mauser, is very similar to the latest model of the Kar 98K. It is a manually operated, air-cooled, clip-fed shoulder weapon, having a laminated wood stock, a large metal butt plate to protect the stock when grenades are launched, and a sling mounted on the left-hand side.

The Gewehr 33/40 and the Kar 98K have interchangeable bolts. The most obvious differences are found in the length, weight, hand guards, and bolt handles.

The present weapon has an overall length of 39 1/8 inches as compared to the 43 1/2 inches of the Kar 98K. The barrel length is 19 3/8 inches instead of 23 1/2 inches. The carbine weighs 7 pounds 11 ounces; the rifle 9 pounds. The hand guard on the Gewehr 33/40 extends behind the rear sight and covers a greater percentage of the barrel than the one on the Kar 98K. The bolt handle on the carbine is turned down uniformly forming a semi-circle, and the knob on the end of the handle has been hollowed out and milled flat on the underside to reduce weight. On the Kar 98K, the bolt handle slopes down abruptly at right angles and the knob is solid.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber       7.92 mm (.312 in.)
Weight 7 lbs., 11 ozs.
Length (overall) 39 1/8 ins.
Principle of operation Manually operated, bolt action
Feeding device Clip-fed, hand-loaded magazine
Capacity of feeding device 5 rounds
Cooling system Air
Ammunition All 7.92 mm Mauser Types
Type of sight Inverted “V” or barleycorn front sight with hood protector and tangent leaf rear sight graduated from 100 to 1,000 meters.
Length of barrel 19 3/8 ins.
Length of rifling
Rifling
   Twist Uniform R.H.
   No. of grooves 4
Muzzle velocity 2,509 f/s

German: p. 206.2 (March 1, 1945)

Categories
German

7.92 mm M. P. 43, M. P. 43/1, M. P. 44 (Sturmgewehr 44): Submachine Gun

7.92 Submachine Gun: Top. M. P. 43; Center. M. P. 43/1; Bottom, M. P. 447.92 Submachine Gun: Top. M. P. 43; Center. M. P. 43/1; Bottom, M. P. 44

The German M. P. 43 is an automatic, air-cooled, gas-operated, magazine-fed shoulder weapon, firing from a closed bolt and a locked breech. Provision is made for both full-automatic and semi-automatic fire. For full-automatic fire, the trigger must be held back until all rounds in the magazine have been fired; for semi-automatic fire, the trigger must be released after each round. However, German official sources say that full automatic fire will be used only in emergency.

Despite the fact that it is of cheap construction, made chiefly of steel stampings, the M. P. 43 is a very serviceable weapon. It is believed that the gun was developed from the 7.92 mm M. Kb. 42 (machine carbine 42) inasmuch as the general design is quite similar, and the same type of ammunition is used. However, the M. P. 43 has a shorter barrel and gas cylinder, and has no bayonet as does the M. Kb. 42.

The receiver, frame, gas cylinder, jacket, and front sight hood are made from steel stampings. As all pins in the trigger mechanism are riveted in, it cannot be disassembled, although a complete trigger assembly may be very quickly inserted. The gas piston assembly, bolt, hammer, barrel and gas cylinder are machined parts.

The gas piston assembly consists of a piston, piston rod, and slide which appear to be machined from one piece with a stamped handle inserted. The stock and pistol grips are of low grade wood. The curved magazine is inserted from the bottom, and the fired cartridge cases are ejected on the right.

The various models of this weapon, including the M. P. 43, M. P. 43/1, and M. P. 44, have been officially designated M. P. 44. A recent official German order changed the nomenclature to Sturmgewehr 44.

SPECIFICATIONS

Caliber       7.92 mm (.312 in.)
Weight (with empty magazine) 10 lb., 1 oz.
Length (overall) 3 ft., 1 in.
Length of barrel 16.2 ins.
Sight radius
Principle of operation gas
Feeding device Curved magazine
Capacity of feeding device 30 rounds
Cooling system air
Ammunition types 7.92 mm Postolen Patronen
Semi AP., M.P. 43
Effective rate of fire
(automatic) 100 to 120 rds./min.
(semi-automatic) 40 to 50 rds./min.
Type of sight Leaf sight graduated from 100 to 800 meters
Rifling
Twist R.H.
No. of grooves
Chamber pressure
Muzzle velocity (approx.) 2250 f/s
Muzzle energy
Maximum range
Effective range 400 yds.

German: p. 206.1 (March 1, 1945)

Categories
German

7.92 mm M SS 41: Antitank Rifle

7.92 mm M SS 41: Antitank Rifle

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 radius30 15/16 ins.
Principle of operationManually operated
Feeding deviceMagazine
Capacity of feeding device6 rounds
Cooling systemAir
Ammunition types13 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 barrel43 3/8 ins.
Length of rifling
Rifling
     TwistR. H.
     Form
     No. of grooves4
     Depth of grooves
     Width of grooves
Muzzle velocity (estimated)3,540 f/s
Type of mountBipod

German: p. 210.1 (May 1, 1945)

Categories
Japanese

6.5 mm Sniper’s Rifle Model 97 (1937)

Japanese 6.5 mm Sniper's Rifle Model 97 (1937)

The Japanese 6.5 mm Sniper’s Rifle, Model 97, is a manually operated, bolt-action, air-cooled, shoulder weapon similar to the Model 38 (1905) 6.5 mm rifle except for its monopod, turned-down bolt handle, and telescopic sight. The telescopic sight is attached to the left hand side of the receiver by means of a dove-tailed base. It is a fixed focus type of 2.5 power and has a 10° field of vision.

The telescopic sight is approximately seven inches long and is equipped with an eyepiece of soft rubber. The reticle is marked in the following graduations: vertical from 0 to 15, horizontal 20 mils each side of the center, the markings being at 5 mil intervals. The horizontal line intersects the vertical scale at the 3 mark.

The telescopic sight is removable and when not in use is carried in a well constructed canvas case which has a heavy coating of lacquer on the outside for waterproofing. The case is fitted on the inside with a wooden spacer to secure the sight when it is inside. A small pocket to hold the sight cleaning brush is also constructed inside the case.

The rifle is also provided with a folding monopod which is pivoted on the lower band.

SPECIFICATIONS

Weight (w/ telescopic sight)         10 lbs., 8 oz.
Length (overall w/o bayonet) 50.25 ins.
Sight radius 26.9 ins.
Principle of operation Manual, bolt-action
Feeding device Box magazine
Capacity of feeding device 5 rounds
Cooling system Air
Ammunition types Mod. 38, 6.5 mm ball and reduced charge ball
Rate of fire According to dexterity of user
Type of sight 2.5x telescopic sight
Weight of barrel
Length of barrel 31.4 ins.
Length of rifling 29.1 ins.
Rifling
Twist Uniform R.H. one turn in 7.88 ins.
Form Metford segmental
No. of grooves 4
Depth of grooves
Width of grooves
Chamber pressure
Muzzle velocity 2,400 ft. per sec.
Muzzle energy
Maximum range 2,600 yds.
Effective range (approx.) 600 yds.
Type of mount Folding monopod

Japanese: p. 208.1 (August 1, 1945)