German
Guns
See
Below
Shooting around corners
Maschinenpistole
"MP" 44
| Country Of Origin: | Germany |
| Designation: | Automatic Rifle |
| Cartridge: | 7.92 x 33 mm "Kurz" |
| Production Date: | 1943-1945 |
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| Weapon Dimensions: | Length: | 940 mm |
| Barrel: | 419 mm | |
| Weight: | 5.22 kg | |
| Rifling: | 4 grooves, rh | |
| Mag Capacity: | 30 rounds | |
| Rate Of Fire: | 500 rds/min |
After the First World War, it was realised by some military strategist's that most combat was conducted over short ranges. So when Germany began to re-build it's armed forces in the 1930's work began on re-designing a modern infantry weapon.
However the pace of re-armament meant that it became unpractical to introduce the new design concept. So because of expediency and official disapproval (based on his experience of WWI, Hitler insisted that the German Army be equipped with a rifle capable of engaging the enemy at long range) the project was put on hold.
To disguise work on the project, it was classified as development on a new submachine-gun thus the MP designation.
The first prototypes, the MKb 42(H) and the MKb 42(W) from Haenel & Walther, were field tested in late 1942. This resulted in the Haenel model being accepted, and with some modifications put into service as the MP43. The results were so favourable that soon Generals were going all the way to Hitler to get these new weapons for their troops.
Needless to say, Hitler was furious that his orders had been disobeyed, but when the designers armed his personal bodyguard with the new weapon and staged a demonstration of it, Hitler quickly changed his mind and renamed it the "Sturmgewehr", or assault rifle.
Not only is the MP44 the world's first true assault rifle, it also incorporated other new features. The first was a dramatic change away from machining in favour of pressings in manufacture. Also production of parts was extensively sub-contracted, aimed at ensuring a reliable supply of weapons.
The idea of weapons capable of proving aimed fire from around corners has always existed, and eventually materializes in the form of working pieces. One such device was "Der Gebone Lauf" ("The Curved Barrel"), created by the Germans in WWII, seen below fitted to an MP44 7.92 x 33 mm (7.92 Kurz) caliber assault rifle.
