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StG 45
Overview
Rifle for intermediate ammunition - project. Germany.: 1930 - 1945
- Phase 1 - Maschinenkarabiner (MKb) Ammo: 7.7×40.5mm or 7.75×39.5mm GECO
Ammunition prototypes date back to 1930. The ammunition designer was Gustav Genschow and Co. (GECO). From 1934, they signed a contract with the Heereswaffenamt to create a carbine equipped with this ammunition. The current designer of the GECO company was Heinrich Vollmer, who based on his Vollmer SG 29 rifle. In 1935, the first prototype of a carbine equipped with this ammunition was created. It was called the Vollmer MKb 35.- Vollmer MKb 35 - Original prototype model from 1935. It had similar dimensions to the Vollmer SG 29. Rate of fire - 1000 RPM.
- Vollmer MKb 35/I - Updated prototype model from 1936. Reduced rate of fire to 400 RPM.
- Vollmer MKb 35/II - Updated prototype model from 1937. Reduced rate of fire to 400 RPM. Weapon dimensions have been reduced.
- Vollmer MKb 35/III - Updated prototype model from 1938. Reduced rate of fire to 400 RPM. Weapon dimensions have been reduced. Most bugs of previous models have been fixed.
- Vollmer MKb 35/II - Updated prototype model from 1937. Reduced rate of fire to 400 RPM. Weapon dimensions have been reduced.
- Vollmer MKb 35/I - Updated prototype model from 1936. Reduced rate of fire to 400 RPM.
- Mauser MKb - It is known that the Mauser company participated in the same project. The only surviving copy is in a museum in France. It was only after the war that it was named MKb 42 (M) which is incorrect due to the ammunition used.
- Walther MKb - The Walther company also took part in the competition. As far as we know, she joined the competition as the last one. And in the end, they did not produce a single model. Only mentions of their participation remain.
- Vollmer MKb 35 - Original prototype model from 1935. It had similar dimensions to the Vollmer SG 29. Rate of fire - 1000 RPM.
- Phase 2 - Maschinenkarabiner (MKb) Ammo: 7.92×33mm Kurz
Ammunition prototypes date back to 1934. The ammunition designer was Polte Werke. The ammunition had better ballistic properties and was cheaper to produce. In 1941, the German army adopted this cartridge. For the needs of the army, a competition for a carbine firing this ammunition was launched.- MKb 42 (H) - Haenel prototype. Until 1942, 50 copies were produced for testing. After the tests, the weapon was put into serial production. A total of 8,000 - 12,000 units were produced until September 1943. By order of the command, production and development ceased.
- MP 43/1 - Despite the ban, work on endurance continues. Changed from MKb (Maschinenkarabiner) to MP (Maschinenpistole) to avoid suspicion. In 1943, a model was created that was a modernization of the MKb 42 (H). The MKb 42 (W) trigger-impact mechanism and the concept of firing from a closed bolt were adapted.
- MP 44 - Improved version of the carbine. This version was officially presented to the German authorities. She got permission for serial production and the official military name StG 44.
- StG 44 - The final production version of the carbine. It was practically no different from the previous version. Apart from a few mechanical changes to improve series production. Officially the first mass-produced assault rifle to be officially named after it.
- MP 44 - Improved version of the carbine. This version was officially presented to the German authorities. She got permission for serial production and the official military name StG 44.
- MP 43/1 - Despite the ban, work on endurance continues. Changed from MKb (Maschinenkarabiner) to MP (Maschinenpistole) to avoid suspicion. In 1943, a model was created that was a modernization of the MKb 42 (H). The MKb 42 (W) trigger-impact mechanism and the concept of firing from a closed bolt were adapted.
- MKb 42 (W) - The second participant in the project. In 1941, 50 examples were produced for testing. Later, 150 more weapons were delivered. The weapon lost the competition and production was discontinued.
- MKb 42 (H) - Haenel prototype. Until 1942, 50 copies were produced for testing. After the tests, the weapon was put into serial production. A total of 8,000 - 12,000 units were produced until September 1943. By order of the command, production and development ceased.
- Phase 3 - Sturmgewehr (StG) Ammo: 7.92×33mm Kurz
Already in 1944. After the introduction of the StG 44, work began on simplifying the design. The weapon was to be officially named StG 45.- MKb Gerät 06 - The first prototype model. The weapon was cheaper to produce and had similar ballistic characteristics to the StG 44.
- MKb Gerät 06H - Maschinenkarabiner Gerät 06 Halbverriegelt ("Machine Carbine Device 06 Half-locked"; abbreviation MKb Gerät 06H). Improved version of the previous prototype.
- StG 45 (M) - Official military name. It is practically the same model as MKb Gerät 06H. The stock and the sight have been minimally changed.
- MKb Gerät 06H - Maschinenkarabiner Gerät 06 Halbverriegelt ("Machine Carbine Device 06 Half-locked"; abbreviation MKb Gerät 06H). Improved version of the previous prototype.
- StG 45 (G) - "Grossfuss Sturmgewehr". Only a few pieces were produced. Each one was different from each other, which suggested the work on the weapon. It was never put into production. Other name for this gun is "Horn Sturmgewehr". Kurt Horn is a weapons designer.
- StG 45 (H) - "Haenel Sturmgewehr". The design would use the MP 43/1 as a base and various structural elements from the earlier MKb 42 (H). Several test examples were produced. Other name for this gun is "Schmeisser Sturmgewehr". Hugo Schmeisser is a weapons designer.
- MKb Gerät 06 - The first prototype model. The weapon was cheaper to produce and had similar ballistic characteristics to the StG 44.
StG 45(M)
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The StG 45(M) (German: Sturmgewehr 45 Mauser, "Mauser Assault Rifle 45") was a German prototype assault rifle developed in the final stages of World War II by Mauser in an attempt to augment and potentially replace the StG 44, whose production costs were considered too excessive for speedy wartime production. The original prototype was the Maschinenkarabiner Gerät 06 ("Machine Carbine Device 06"; abbreviation MKb Gerät 06) which used a roller locked short stroke gas system (the locking portion of which was inspired by the roller locked recoil opperated MG42).
During development, it was discovered that the gun would occasionally fire slightly out of battery but the partially engaged roller locking bolt would be enough to retard the opening of the action by a safe amount. The gas system was removed and the bolt geometry was altered and the Maschinenkarabiner Gerät 06 Halbverriegelt ("Machine Carbine Device 06 Half-locked"; abbreviation MKb Gerät 06H) was created (this roller-delayed blowback operation would go on to be used in an experimental version of the MG42 known as the MG42(V) or MG45). Due to the absence of a gas system the rifle was cheaper than the StG 44 by a large enough margin that the Army became interested, and gave the weapon the StG 45(M) designation and ordered a number for live troop trials. The StG 45(M) was essentially the Gerät 06 with some minor modifications (different stock and higher profile sights being the most obvious) however parts for only 30 rifles were complete before the end of the war, only one of which was ever assembled into a complete firearm after the war (some of the parts of which were never originally made and had to be recreated from factory schematics).
The StG 45(M) was the first rifle to utilize a roller-delayed blowback system, and after the war the StG 45(M) was improved upon to create the CETME series of rifles, and subsequently the incredibly successful Heckler & Koch G3 family.
NOTE: Although intended to be used in combat with a 30 round magazine, the vast majority of available images of the StG 45(M) and its prototypes feature a short 10 round magazine. This is due to the fact that for testing purpose the rifle was easier to use with the more compact 10 round magazine.
Specifications
(1944 - 1945)
- Type: Assault Rifle
- Caliber: 7.92x33mm Kurz
- Weight: 8.8 lbs (4 kg)
- Length: 37 in (94 cm)
- Barrel length: 16.5 in (41.9 cm)
- Feed System: 10 or 30-round box magazine
- Fire Modes: Semi-Auto/Full-Auto
The StG 45(M) and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:
Anime
| Title | Character | Notes | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agent Aika | Delmo Corps, Rion Aida, Gusto Turbulence | Guns in use combine characterstics from the StG 45 and its Gerät 06 prototype | 1997-1999 |
Video Games
| Game Title | Appears as | Note | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karma Online | StG45 | Gerät 06H | 2011 |
| Call of Duty: WWII | "STG44 - Shingles" | MKb Gerät 06H (modern reproduction); cosmetic variant of the StG 44 weapon | 2017 |
| Enlisted | MKb Gerät 06H (modern reproduction) | 2021 |
StG 45(G)
The StG 45(G) (German: Sturmgewehr 45 Grossfuss, "Grossfuss Assault Rifle 45") was a prototype German assault rifle developed late in World War II, intended to replace the StG 44. Other name for this gun is "Horn Sturmgewehr". Kurt Horn is a weapons designer.
Specifications
- Type: Assault Rifle
- Caliber: 7.92x33mm Kurz
- Weight: 4.7 kg (10.4 pounds)
- Length: 930 mm (36.6 inches)
- Barrel length: 410 mm (16.1 inches)
- Capacity: 30-round StG 44 detachable box magazine
The StG 45(G) 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 | Notations | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call of Duty: WWII | "GBD-79" | Added in July 2019 update | 2017 |
| Enlisted | 2021 |