Volkssturmgewehr
Semi-automatic rifle / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Volkssturmgewehr ("People's Storm - Rifle")[3] is the name of several rifle designs developed by Nazi Germany during the last months of World War II (February 1945-May 1945). They share the common characteristic of being greatly simplified as an attempt to cope with severe lack of resources and industrial capacity in Germany during the final period of the war. The Volkspistole was a partner program, almost identical, but for pistols instead.
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Quick Facts Type, Place of origin ...
Volkssturmgewehr | |
---|---|
Type | Semi-automatic rifle |
Place of origin | Nazi Germany |
Service history | |
In service | February–May 1945 |
Used by | Nazi Germany |
Wars | World War II |
Production history | |
Designed | Late 1944 |
Produced | January–May 1945 |
No. built | Approx. 10,000 Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr[1] |
Variants | Selective fire variant |
Specifications | |
Mass | 4.6 kg (10.1 lb)[2] |
Length | 885 mm (34.8 in)[2] |
Barrel length | 378 mm (14.9 in)[2] |
Cartridge | 7.92×33mm Kurz |
Action | Gas-delayed blowback |
Muzzle velocity | 660 m/s (2,200 ft/s) |
Effective firing range | 300 m |
Feed system | 30-round detachable StG 44 box magazine |
Sights | Iron |
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The weapon's name can be translated directly either as "People's assault rifle" or "Volkssturm rifle." Volkssturm, the German late war militia home defense force, means "People's Assault"; Sturmgewehr translates as "assault rifle".