Reich miracle weapon: StG 44 assault rifle (curved barrel and IR sight)
StG 44 (German SturmGewehr 44) - the world's first assault rifle. The development of this fundamentally new weapons It was conducted from the mid 30s of the XX century. All work on the creation of the StG 44 and its launch into mass production took place already during the Second World War. Perhaps, unlike many of the ideas of Germany’s “miracle weapons”, an assault rifle will seem a faded craft, but it was this type of weapon that was first created in Germany and massively delivered to the troops that was actively used in combat operations at the final stage of the war. Any weapon is created with the aim of killing, in this regard, StG 44, unlike superheavy projects tanks, flying disks and space bombers, played its role, and the assault rifles themselves, and more than 70 years after the end of the war, remain the infantry’s main weapon on the battlefield.
StG 44 - automatic weapon, in Soviet terminology, automatic, classic layout, caliber 7,92x33 mm. Automatics assault rifle is based on the principle of the use of powder gases, which are discharged from the barrel with the help of the vapor mechanism, which has a long stroke gas piston. The vapor chamber, equipped with a regulator, is located above the barrel. The barrel is locked by skewing the shutter in a vertical plane. The cocking handle is located on the left side of the assault rifle and, when firing, moves with the bolt. The trigger mechanism of the StG 44 is designed as a single unit with a pistol grip and provides the shooter with the possibility of firing single cartridges and bursts. The translator of fire regimes was located above the pistol grip.
The sectoral sight of the assault rifle made it possible to conduct aimed fire at a distance of 800 m. The divisions of the sight were marked on a special aiming bar, each of the divisions corresponded to a range change on the 50 m. The sight and the slot were triangular. On the StG 44 could be installed not only optical but also infrared sight. When firing at a target with a diameter of 11,5 cm, at a distance of one hundred meters, half of the hits fit in a circle with a diameter of 5,4 cm. Thanks to the use of less powerful cartridges, the recoil force of the StG 44 when shooting was less than that of the Mauser 98k rifle.
As a result of the efforts of German engineers, designers and technicians, the StG 44 has become a truly simple, high-tech and low-cost product. For the manufacture of one assault rifle required 14,3 kg. metal, with the mass of the rifle in 5,2 kg., as well as 19-man-hours and 14 machine-hours. The cost of production of new automatic weapons accounted for all 78 reyshmark. At the same time, the main weapon of the Wehrmacht infantry units - shop rifle Mauser 98k cost 70 marks.
In general, the StG 44 was quite a successful model of automatic weapons, which ensured effective firing by single shots at a range of up to 600 meters, and bursts at a range of up to 300 meters. The StG 44 became the first mass-produced weapon of an entirely new class of assault rifles and undoubtedly rendered its influence on the creation of all subsequent developments in this direction. Among the shortcomings of the StG-44, an overly large mass of weapons can be identified, as well as highly positioned aiming devices, which required the reclining gunner to raise its head high enough. According to the design of the model, only minor complaints were expressed. In particular, it was pointed out the weakness of the springs of the dust shield and the store feeder, as well as the insufficient strength of the butt fastening that could collapse during the hand-to-hand combat.
StG 44 and curvilinear trunks
The idea of a weapon with a curved barrel was not new. The first attempts to create it belonged to the XIX century. Such weapons made it possible to hit the enemy without leaving the shelter: the tank hatch, the trench, the corner of the building. In 1942-43, during the fighting on the Eastern Front, the Wehrmacht was confronted with the need to create weapons that could help combat the enemy's manpower, which was not in the zone of the tabletop fire. So the idea of curved trunks received a new impetus.
At the end of 1943, the German company Rheinmetall received an order to develop special tools - curved barrels, which should have been designed for all samples of regular weapons, which used 7,92XXNNXX mm rifle and machine-gun cartridge. The results of the tests showed that the German 57 mm cartridge was too powerful for any curved barrel, which led to its rapid wear.
Then the German designers turned their attention to the "intermediate" cartridge 7,92x33 mm. He was shorter and had much less muzzle energy. Tests have shown that this cartridge is best suited for use with curved barrels. The use of this cartridge in an assault rifle made it the only model that could put into practice the idea of firing from cover. At the same time, the machine operated by using the energy of powder gases, which came from the gas outlet to the gas chamber. When the curvilinear attachment was mounted on the barrel, the outflow of gases was significantly hampered, since their number, which came from the barrel into the gas chamber of the automaton, increased and could cause the automaton breakdown. This problem was solved by making special vent holes in the back of the nozzle.
In July, the 1944, an MP 43 assault rifle (future StG 44) with a barrel curvature of 90 degrees, was demonstrated to senior Wehrmacht officers. As a result of the shooting, the shooting accuracy was quite satisfactory. When firing single rounds at a distance of 100, the dispersion was equal to 35, see. The survivability of such a curved barrel was estimated at 2000 shots. Already 8 August 1944 management Wehrmacht Arms Administration issued an order for the manufacture in a short time 10 000 of such devices for firing from behind shelters. At the same time, this decision was premature, since the tests carried out showed that the barrel with such an angle of curvature can satisfy the needs of only tank crews, but not infantry units. As a result, Rheinmetall was asked to design trunks with a curvature angle of 30 and 45 degrees, weighing no more than 2 kg. and survivability at the level of 5000 shots.
Such twisted trunks received the designation Vorsatz J (Project Yot) and were intended for firing from trenches and use during street battles. The curvilinear attachment had a mount that was similar to a rifle grenade launcher. In the breech breech was a clamping device, which consisted of 2-x basting and clamping screw. The fastening of the curvilinear attachment to the barrel could also be carried out with the help of a sleeve and in other ways.
In order to provide aimed firing from the shelter, two types of sights were designed: prism and mirror. Shooting from such assault rifles did not differ much from the shooting of the StG 44 with an optical sight. Periscopic sights significantly increased the capabilities of the StG 44 with a special nozzle barrel. The periscopic sight included a front sight and a periscopic-mirror lens system with which the shooter could fire aimed fire. The aiming line, passing through the front sight of the assault rifle and sector-wide sight, was refracted in the lenses and deflected downwards. The StG 44, equipped with a Vorsatz J nozzle, was designated the StG 44 (V). Such a machine gun can conduct aimed shooting at a distance of up to 400 meters.
Do not forget the German designers and tank crews. An increase in the dimensions of the tanks led to the growth of the “dead” space that was not fired by small arms near the tank. To solve this problem, it was possible to use the StG 44 assault rifle with the Vorsatz Pz (Panzer) nozzle, which had a curvature in 90 degrees. The nozzle barrel (total length 476 mm, external diameter 25 mm) was mounted in a ball mount on the roof of the combat vehicle, which ensured the possibility of circular firing. When using the StG 44 (P), the dead zones near the tank were reduced to 15 m. The dispersal when firing from such weapons ranged from 16 to 50, see. In addition to the very nozzle for using StG 44 in close conditions of the fighting compartment of tanks and SAU, a special shortened sector magazine on 10 cartridges (original 30 cartridges).
To complete all the work on the creation of curvilinear trunks before the end of the war in Germany did not have time. The collapse of the German economy in the last months of the Second World War made it impossible to bring these developments to mass production. There were problems during the trials. Nozzles with a twisted barrel deformed the bullets, increasing dispersion. An additional negative factor was the increased wear of the bore in the muzzle, which led to a decrease in the accuracy of fire. Nozzle survivability also remained low - no more than 250 shots.
StG 44 and IR Night Vision
By the end of World War II, German factories produced about 1000 IR devices per month. Most of them went to equip tank units. In addition, Panther crews equipped with night vision devices, in addition, were armed with StG 44 with ZG.1229 Vampir infrared sights. These assault rifles were also intended for shooters-snipers. On the right side of the receiver, they had a mount for installing optical 4-x multiple sights ZF-4 and IR sights ZG.1229 "Vampire".
The Zielgerat 1229 (ZG.1229) Vampir infrared night vision sight was designed to monitor the battlefield under natural night-light conditions, determine the distance to the target from angular values, aim at the target, observe the results of the fire, and make adjustments. The sight was designed at the Forschungsanstalt der Deutschen Reichspost (RPF) in Berlin, and its production was carried out by the leading German optical-mechanical enterprise, the Ernst Leitz factory in Wetzlar.
For trial operation, the first batch of 310 automata equipped with Vampire sights was released. The sight itself with an infrared searchlight weighed 2,26 kg., Its batteries, which were carried in the tank from the gas mask and in a special wooden box weighed another 13,59 kg. The total weight, taking into account the assault rifle itself, as well as the battery box, was quite impressive. German designers quite originally solved the problem of batteries. Taking into account the fact that any batteries have a habit of gradually discharging, as well as completely fail, perhaps at the most inappropriate moment, the designers supplied the shooter with a small hand-operated generator. Before leaving for the night hunt the soldier had to twist the handle of the generator for some time, after which the system was ready for battle.
StG 44 - automatic weapon, in Soviet terminology, automatic, classic layout, caliber 7,92x33 mm. Automatics assault rifle is based on the principle of the use of powder gases, which are discharged from the barrel with the help of the vapor mechanism, which has a long stroke gas piston. The vapor chamber, equipped with a regulator, is located above the barrel. The barrel is locked by skewing the shutter in a vertical plane. The cocking handle is located on the left side of the assault rifle and, when firing, moves with the bolt. The trigger mechanism of the StG 44 is designed as a single unit with a pistol grip and provides the shooter with the possibility of firing single cartridges and bursts. The translator of fire regimes was located above the pistol grip.
The sectoral sight of the assault rifle made it possible to conduct aimed fire at a distance of 800 m. The divisions of the sight were marked on a special aiming bar, each of the divisions corresponded to a range change on the 50 m. The sight and the slot were triangular. On the StG 44 could be installed not only optical but also infrared sight. When firing at a target with a diameter of 11,5 cm, at a distance of one hundred meters, half of the hits fit in a circle with a diameter of 5,4 cm. Thanks to the use of less powerful cartridges, the recoil force of the StG 44 when shooting was less than that of the Mauser 98k rifle.
As a result of the efforts of German engineers, designers and technicians, the StG 44 has become a truly simple, high-tech and low-cost product. For the manufacture of one assault rifle required 14,3 kg. metal, with the mass of the rifle in 5,2 kg., as well as 19-man-hours and 14 machine-hours. The cost of production of new automatic weapons accounted for all 78 reyshmark. At the same time, the main weapon of the Wehrmacht infantry units - shop rifle Mauser 98k cost 70 marks.
In general, the StG 44 was quite a successful model of automatic weapons, which ensured effective firing by single shots at a range of up to 600 meters, and bursts at a range of up to 300 meters. The StG 44 became the first mass-produced weapon of an entirely new class of assault rifles and undoubtedly rendered its influence on the creation of all subsequent developments in this direction. Among the shortcomings of the StG-44, an overly large mass of weapons can be identified, as well as highly positioned aiming devices, which required the reclining gunner to raise its head high enough. According to the design of the model, only minor complaints were expressed. In particular, it was pointed out the weakness of the springs of the dust shield and the store feeder, as well as the insufficient strength of the butt fastening that could collapse during the hand-to-hand combat.
StG 44 and curvilinear trunks
The idea of a weapon with a curved barrel was not new. The first attempts to create it belonged to the XIX century. Such weapons made it possible to hit the enemy without leaving the shelter: the tank hatch, the trench, the corner of the building. In 1942-43, during the fighting on the Eastern Front, the Wehrmacht was confronted with the need to create weapons that could help combat the enemy's manpower, which was not in the zone of the tabletop fire. So the idea of curved trunks received a new impetus.
At the end of 1943, the German company Rheinmetall received an order to develop special tools - curved barrels, which should have been designed for all samples of regular weapons, which used 7,92XXNNXX mm rifle and machine-gun cartridge. The results of the tests showed that the German 57 mm cartridge was too powerful for any curved barrel, which led to its rapid wear.
Then the German designers turned their attention to the "intermediate" cartridge 7,92x33 mm. He was shorter and had much less muzzle energy. Tests have shown that this cartridge is best suited for use with curved barrels. The use of this cartridge in an assault rifle made it the only model that could put into practice the idea of firing from cover. At the same time, the machine operated by using the energy of powder gases, which came from the gas outlet to the gas chamber. When the curvilinear attachment was mounted on the barrel, the outflow of gases was significantly hampered, since their number, which came from the barrel into the gas chamber of the automaton, increased and could cause the automaton breakdown. This problem was solved by making special vent holes in the back of the nozzle.
In July, the 1944, an MP 43 assault rifle (future StG 44) with a barrel curvature of 90 degrees, was demonstrated to senior Wehrmacht officers. As a result of the shooting, the shooting accuracy was quite satisfactory. When firing single rounds at a distance of 100, the dispersion was equal to 35, see. The survivability of such a curved barrel was estimated at 2000 shots. Already 8 August 1944 management Wehrmacht Arms Administration issued an order for the manufacture in a short time 10 000 of such devices for firing from behind shelters. At the same time, this decision was premature, since the tests carried out showed that the barrel with such an angle of curvature can satisfy the needs of only tank crews, but not infantry units. As a result, Rheinmetall was asked to design trunks with a curvature angle of 30 and 45 degrees, weighing no more than 2 kg. and survivability at the level of 5000 shots.
Such twisted trunks received the designation Vorsatz J (Project Yot) and were intended for firing from trenches and use during street battles. The curvilinear attachment had a mount that was similar to a rifle grenade launcher. In the breech breech was a clamping device, which consisted of 2-x basting and clamping screw. The fastening of the curvilinear attachment to the barrel could also be carried out with the help of a sleeve and in other ways.
In order to provide aimed firing from the shelter, two types of sights were designed: prism and mirror. Shooting from such assault rifles did not differ much from the shooting of the StG 44 with an optical sight. Periscopic sights significantly increased the capabilities of the StG 44 with a special nozzle barrel. The periscopic sight included a front sight and a periscopic-mirror lens system with which the shooter could fire aimed fire. The aiming line, passing through the front sight of the assault rifle and sector-wide sight, was refracted in the lenses and deflected downwards. The StG 44, equipped with a Vorsatz J nozzle, was designated the StG 44 (V). Such a machine gun can conduct aimed shooting at a distance of up to 400 meters.
Do not forget the German designers and tank crews. An increase in the dimensions of the tanks led to the growth of the “dead” space that was not fired by small arms near the tank. To solve this problem, it was possible to use the StG 44 assault rifle with the Vorsatz Pz (Panzer) nozzle, which had a curvature in 90 degrees. The nozzle barrel (total length 476 mm, external diameter 25 mm) was mounted in a ball mount on the roof of the combat vehicle, which ensured the possibility of circular firing. When using the StG 44 (P), the dead zones near the tank were reduced to 15 m. The dispersal when firing from such weapons ranged from 16 to 50, see. In addition to the very nozzle for using StG 44 in close conditions of the fighting compartment of tanks and SAU, a special shortened sector magazine on 10 cartridges (original 30 cartridges).
To complete all the work on the creation of curvilinear trunks before the end of the war in Germany did not have time. The collapse of the German economy in the last months of the Second World War made it impossible to bring these developments to mass production. There were problems during the trials. Nozzles with a twisted barrel deformed the bullets, increasing dispersion. An additional negative factor was the increased wear of the bore in the muzzle, which led to a decrease in the accuracy of fire. Nozzle survivability also remained low - no more than 250 shots.
StG 44 and IR Night Vision
By the end of World War II, German factories produced about 1000 IR devices per month. Most of them went to equip tank units. In addition, Panther crews equipped with night vision devices, in addition, were armed with StG 44 with ZG.1229 Vampir infrared sights. These assault rifles were also intended for shooters-snipers. On the right side of the receiver, they had a mount for installing optical 4-x multiple sights ZF-4 and IR sights ZG.1229 "Vampire".
The Zielgerat 1229 (ZG.1229) Vampir infrared night vision sight was designed to monitor the battlefield under natural night-light conditions, determine the distance to the target from angular values, aim at the target, observe the results of the fire, and make adjustments. The sight was designed at the Forschungsanstalt der Deutschen Reichspost (RPF) in Berlin, and its production was carried out by the leading German optical-mechanical enterprise, the Ernst Leitz factory in Wetzlar.
For trial operation, the first batch of 310 automata equipped with Vampire sights was released. The sight itself with an infrared searchlight weighed 2,26 kg., Its batteries, which were carried in the tank from the gas mask and in a special wooden box weighed another 13,59 kg. The total weight, taking into account the assault rifle itself, as well as the battery box, was quite impressive. German designers quite originally solved the problem of batteries. Taking into account the fact that any batteries have a habit of gradually discharging, as well as completely fail, perhaps at the most inappropriate moment, the designers supplied the shooter with a small hand-operated generator. Before leaving for the night hunt the soldier had to twist the handle of the generator for some time, after which the system was ready for battle.
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