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Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr
The Volkssturmgewehr was designed by Karl Barnitzke of the Gustloff-Werke during the final stages of World War II. It was a part of the Primitiv-Waffen-Programm, and was intended to provide a semi-automatic rifle to the Volksstrum - the militia raised to defend German cities from the allied forces. The rifle was hastily designed and constructed, and was meant to provide a crude but relatively cheap rifle that could be manufactured quickly and easily. The result was a gas-blowback operated rifle firing the 7.92×33mm Kurz, and utilizing Sturmgewehr 44 30-round magazines. The weapon featured fixed front and rear iron sights. The first production model was designated as the MP507. A second model, designated as MP508, added a semi-pistol stock and forward grip, but apparently it was produced only in very small quantities.
The weapon is also sometimes known as the "Volkssturmgewehr 1-5" (or "VG 1-5"), a name that was believed to have originated as a misnomer. The Primitiv-Waffen-Programm resulted in five other bolt action rifle designs, VG 1 from Walther (VG in these cases standing for Volksgewehr), VG 2 from Spreewerk Berlin, VG 3 from Rheinmetall, VG 4 from Mauser, and VG 5 from Steyr. Collectively, they become VG 1-5, and a few misconceptions later the name was stuck to the Gustloff weapon.
Rumors claimed that an automatic assault rifle version of the Volkssturmgewehr exists; there does not appear to be any actual evidence supporting this claim however, and this claim may have been a misinterpretation of the name Volkssturmgewehr as representing "Volks-sturmgewehr" (lit. "people-assault rifle") rather than "Volkssturm-gewehr" (lit. "Volkssturm-rifle")
Specifications
(1945)
- Type: Semi-Automatic Rifle, Assault Rifle (experimental models of disputed existence)
- Caliber: 7.92x33mm Kurz
- Weight: 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg)
- Length: 34.8 in (88.5 cm)
- Barrel Length: 14.9 in (37.8 cm)
- Feed System: 30-round detachable box magazine
- Fire Modes: Semi-Auto (Select fire on experimental models of disputed existence)
The Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:
Video Games
| Game Title | Appears as | Mods | Notation | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forgotten Hope 2 | "Volksgewehr 45" | 2007 | ||
| Fallout 4 | "Radium Rifle" | Modified with (mostly fictional) circuitry/sci-fi components, full-auto conversion. Accepts magazine, receiver, barrel and stock upgrades | Added in Far Harbor DLC, incorrectly chambers .45 Auto, fires irradiated bullets | 2015 |
| Call of Duty: WWII | "Volkssturmgewehr" | Fires in full-auto; added in an update "The Resistance" in 2018 | 2017 | |
| Battlefield V | "Gewehr 1-5" / "Sturmgewehr 1-5" | Semi-auto only and select fire variants, respectively | 2018 | |
| Fallout 76 | "Radium Rifle" | Modified with (mostly fictional) circuitry/sci-fi components, full-auto conversion. Accepts magazine, receiver, barrel and stock upgrades | Incorrectly chambers .45 Auto, fires irradiated bullets | 2018 |
| Call of Duty: Vanguard | "Volkssturmgewehr" | Can be incorrectly modified with 7.62x25mm magazines | Magazine is visually thicker, fires in full-auto | 2021 |
| Enlisted | Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr MP507 | 2021 |