["H E A V Y M A C H I N E - G U N S ( 1 9 1 1 \u2013 4 5 ) \u2022 199 Rear sight Grip Water jacket Internal magazine held to cool barrel 50 rounds in five trays \u25b2 FIAT-REVELLI MODEL 1914 Elevation crank Date 1914 Elevating Tripod leg Origin Italy quadrant Muzzle brake diverts exploding Barrel 253\u20444in (65.4cm) Foresight propellant gases sideways to reduce recoil Caliber 6.5mm Mannlicher-Carcano This model employed a delayed recoil-operated system.The delay in breech unlocking allowed a better tolerance for higher breech pressures and more powerful shots than normal recoil- operated systems. Rounds were fed from a 50-round stack magazine and oiled on their way to the chamber.The oiled rounds picked up dust and dirt, causing the gun to jam frequently.This weapon\u2019s rate of fire was 500 rounds per minute. Fins on barrel to dissipate heat Gas tube Rear \u25b2 DEGTYAREV DSHK1938 Employed as the Red Army\u2019s heavy carrying piston sight Date 1938 machine-gun, the gas-operated Origin Soviet Union DShK1938 resembled the .50in Grip Ammunition Barrel 391\u20442in (100cm) Browning M2 (see p.192). It enjoyed belt feedway Caliber 12.7 \u00d7 108mm similar longevity\u2014some units are still in service. It fired 600 rounds Elevating per minute. quadrant \u25b2 BREDA MODELLO 37 Regulator to adjust the gas Date 1937 volume used to drive the Origin Italy operating piston Barrel 50in (127cm) Caliber 8 \u00d7 59mm Adopted by the Italian Army in 1937, the Breda was a gas-operated Tripod leg machine-gun (see pp.194\u201395) fed by 20-round ammunition strips, and later belts. Its primary disadvantage was that the cartridges had to be lubricated with oil prior to firing. Stoppages caused by dust or dirt were therefore a problem. Its low cyclic rate (450 rounds per minute), however, was an advantage for accurate support fire.","200 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) Shoulder stock LIGHT MACHINE-GUNS (1902\u201315) Leather Pistol recoil pad grip Trench warfare and stagnant lines were the norm onWorldWar I battlefields, and the development of easily Barrel Trigger carried machine-guns became a necessity for raids and the casing strengthening of positions under fire. Some light machine- guns were developed strictly for use in aircraft, for which weight was a primary design consideration. During the first years of its use, the light machine-gun proved to be invaluable both as a defensive and offensive weapon, thereby leading to its further refinement asWorldWar I progressed. Operating handle \u25b2 MADSEN MEDIUM LMG Developed by Julius Rasmussen and Safety Date 1902 Theodor Schouboe, the Madsen was lever Origin Denmark introduced into service in 1902. It had Barrel 23in (58.4cm) an effective cyclic rate of 450 rounds per Caliber 7 \u00d7 57mm minute and was noted for its reliability. It was, however, expensive to manufacture and therefore had a limited clientele. Charging lever pulls the breechblock Ammunition Remote control rearward when pulled down belt feedway firing device attached to trigger Cocking lever","L I G H T M A C H I N E - G U N S ( 1 9 0 2 \u2013 1 5 ) \u2022 201 Perforated Flash barrel shroud hider \u25b2 DREYSE The Maschinengewehr 13 (MG13) was developed from Bipod leg MASCHINENGEWEHR 13 a weapon designed by the famous German gunmaker Date 1914 Louis Schmeisser and produced by Nikolaus von Dreyse Origin Germany from 1909.That gun was water-cooled, but the MG13 Barrel 281\u20444in (71.7cm) swapped the water jacket for a perforated shroud\u2014for Caliber 7.92 \u00d7 57mm Mauser air-cooling\u2014and gained a tubular shoulder stock and a pistol grip and trigger group.The trigger allows Carrying handle switching between firing modes\u2014its top half is for semiautomatic mode and bottom half for fully Perforated automatic mode. barrel shroud Rear sight Drum More properly described as a machine-rifle, Wooden magazine since it was intended for use by one person butt and could be fired in semiautomatic mode, \u25b2 CHAUCHAT MLE 1915 the Chauchat has the dubious distinction of Foresight Date 1907 being known as the worst light machine-gun Origin France ever made. It was prone to jamming and Barrel 19in (48.26cm) the thin-walled pressed steel magazines Caliber 8 \u00d7 50mm were far too delicate for field use. Perforated barrel shroud FULL VIEW \u25b2 SPANDAU 08\/15 AIRCRAFT Synchronizer cable MACHINE-GUN Date 1915 Origin Germany Barrel 281\u20444in (71.9cm) Caliber 7.92 \u00d7 57mm Mauser Though it was also used by infantrymen, fitted with a butt and pistol grip, the LMG08\/15 was developed as a fixed gun for use in aircraft. In this form, it had a synchronizer cable linked to an interrupter gear, which allowed it to fire forward\u2014right through the propeller\u2019s arc.","202 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) LIGHT MACHINE- Wooden Receiver GUNS (1916\u201325) butt Pistol grip Although some light machine-guns Rear Ammunition continued to be fitted with water-cooling sight belt feedway jackets, these models were intended for high-volume fire.When used simply to provide cover in short bursts, air-cooled weapons such as the Bergmann became the norm. These machine-guns had the benefit of easy portability because of the reduced weight, and they had less cumbersome accessories, thus requiring smaller crews. Butt plate \u25b2 BERGMANN LMG 15NA Bergmann\u2019s LMG was adopted in 1910, but Trigger Date 1916 it was not until the appearance of a modified Origin Germany version in 1916 that it found favor. Its Pistol grip Barrel 281\u20442in (72.6cm) ammunition was contained in a metal link Caliber 7.92 \u00d7 57mm Mauser belt, fed from a drumlike container. Ammunition belt feedway Rear sight Wooden butt Trigger stabilizer Support","L I G H T M A C H I N E - G U N S ( 1 9 1 6 \u2013 2 5 ) \u2022 203 Cooling jacket holds 4 quarts (4 liters) water Flash hider Ammunition \u25b2 MAXIM Germany\u2019s first, hurried attempt to produce a light belt feedway MASCHINENGEWEHR 08\/15 machine-gun saw the DWM MG08 (see p.196) fitted with Date 1917 a butt, a pistol grip, and a conventional trigger, resulting in Origin Germany the Maxim 08\/15.This improved version of the MG08 had Barrel 28\u00bcin (71.9cm) a recontoured receiver to reduce the gun\u2019s weight and an Caliber 7.92 \u00d7 57mm Mauser integral bipod with a shortened ammunition belt contained in a drumlike container.Weighing 303\u20444lb (14kg), it was still far too heavy.Around 130,000 units were produced, and it became the principal support weapon for the stormtroopers of the Reichswehr\u2014Germany\u2019s interwar armed forces. Integral Foresight bipod Barrel has a perforated shroud to air-cool it Carrying handle Bipod head incorporates pivot Butt Trigger \u25b2 MAXIM MG08\/18 The MG08\/15 (above) was never Foresight Date 1918 entirely suitable for use as an assault Carrying handle without Origin Germany weapon. Just beforeWorldWar I ended, the wood cover Barrel 281\u20444in (71.9cm) this improved air-cooled version with a Caliber 7.92 \u00d7 57mm Mauser slimmed-down perforated barrel shroud Air-cooled barrel with was introduced. It was almost 9lb (4kg) perforated shroud lighter than the MG08\/15, but came too late to see widespread use. \u25c0 MAXIM PARABELLUM Arguably the best of the German LMG 14\/17 Maxims, the Parabellum LMG was produced in response to a specification Date 1917 for a weapon for flexible mounting in aircraft and airships.This later Origin Germany version has a slimmed-down barrel Barrel 273\u20444in (70.5cm) shroud. It was issued to selected infantry units in this form toward Caliber 7.92 \u00d7 57mm Mauser the end of the war.","204 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) LIGHT MACHINE-GUNS \u25b2 JAPANESE TYPE 11 Hopper (1926\u201345) Date 1922\u201345 From the 1920s onward, light machine-guns were redesigned with a view to reducing the size of their Origin Japan crews.While earlier LMGs, such as the Maxim 08\/15 Top-mounted (see p.203), required a crew of four, newer LMGs such magazine Barrel 17\u00bdin (44.9cm) as the Bren could be operated by a one- or two-man crew.This reduction in the crew size was made possible Caliber 6.50 \u00d7 50mm by changing the ammunition feed system from belts, which needed an additional user for ensuring proper The Type 11 Japanese LMG was loading, to box magazines, which could be loaded designed by Kijiro Nambu and and changed by the main user only. resembles the Hotchkiss Model 1902\/1914. It used a novel loading system involving a hopper into which 5-round clips of ammunition were inserted. It was a reliable weapon and saw extensive service. Rear sight Bipod leg (folded up) Wooden butt Single shot Ejection Gas cylinder trigger port Wooden 30-round Automatic- forestock detachable fire trigger box magazine \u25b2 CH\u00c2TELLERAULT MOD\u00c8LE The MLE 1924 was designed as a light machine-gun Rear sight 1924\/29 replacement for the terrible Chauchat MLE 1915 Date 1929 (see p.201) fromWorldWar I, but was let down Origin France by poor ammunition.The cartridge was redesigned, Barrel 19\u00bein (50cm) along with parts of the gun, to produce the MLE Caliber 7.5 \u00d7 54mm 1924\/29, which served throughWorldWar II and into the 1950s.The gun was unusual in having a dual-trigger arrangement\u2014the forward trigger was for single-shot firing and the rear-set trigger for continuous fire. Body locking pin Left-hand grip Cocking handle Tripod attachment point","L I G H T M A C H I N E - G U N S ( 1 9 2 6 \u2013 4 5 ) \u2022 205 Wooden 30-round detachable butt box magazine Barrel Foresight cooling fin Wooden \u25b2 VICKERS BERTHIER The British armaments firmVickers Bipod butt .303-IN LMG purchased the rights to manufacture leg Date 1930s a modified version of the French Wooden Origin UK Berthier (see p.155) in the early butt Barrel 24in (60.9cm) 1930s.The resulting arm, which Caliber .303in superficially resembles the Bren Carrying gun (below), was adopted by the handle Rear sight Indian Army in 1933 and still remains in reserve service. Breech Flash hider \u25b2 BREDA MODELLO 30 Folding magazine Bipod leg Date 1930 Foresight Origin Italy The standard light machine-gun Barrel 20\u00bdin (52cm) of the Italian Army, the Breda Modello Caliber 6.5 \u00d7 54mm 30 utilized a novel 20-round metallic strip feed system, but proved chronically unreliable and too delicate for battlefield conditions. Barrel band \u25b2 BREN Developed at Brno in the Czech Republic and Adjustable Date 1938 modified at Enfield, London (hence its name), gas regulator Origin UK the Bren gun was the British Army\u2019s principal Barrel 25in (63.5cm) light support weapon from its introduction FULL VIEW Caliber .303in until the 1970s, latterly in 7.62mm NATO chambering. If it had a deficiency, it lay in its ammunition having a protruding rim around the .303in cartridge base, a feature corrected in the 7.62mm NATO round.","206 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) EUROPEAN SUBMACHINE- \u25bc BERGMANN MP18\/I The strong, sturdy MP18\/1 was the first GUNS (1915\u201338) Date 1918 effective maschinen-pistole (machine-pistol\u2014the Origin Germany German name for a submachine-gun). It was Although trench warfare duringWorldWar I Barrel 73\u20444in (19.6cm) chambered for the Parabellum round Luger involved static lines facing each other, night-time Caliber 9mm Parabellum had developed for the P.08 pistol (pp.170\u201371), raids across \u201cNo Man\u2019s Land\u201d were frequent. although that resulted in feed problems until a Intended to probe weak points or to secure Perforated barrel simpler box magazine was designed. Shown to prisoners for interrogation, the taking of an shroud for the right is the original drum magazine. enemy trench was fraught with danger. Limited manoeuvrability restricted the use of rifles and air-cooling barrel Front sling Magazine most actions were fought hand-to-hand.To counter attachment port this, arms designers developed submachine-guns\u2014 Magazine reduced-length, fully-automatic weapons using pistol Magazine port cartridges.The choice of ammunition made the catch submachine-gun an intrinsically short-range weapon, but it was ideal for close-quarters trench conditions. Cocking sleeve was pulled Submachine-guns continued to be significant up to the rearward to cock the weapon eve of the next world war. Foresight Front sling Barrel shroud FULL VIEW attachment This gun had an extremely high rate of fire\u2014900 \u25b2 VILLAR PEROSA M1918 rounds per minute\u2014and was equipped with two Date 1918 triggers: a burst-fire trigger for a fully automatic Origin Italy mode and a single-shot trigger for a semiautomatic Barrel 11in (28cm) mode.This model is a variant of the M1915Villar Caliber 9mm Glisenti Perosa, the first ever submachine-gun (SMG), which was issued to Italian troops in 1915. Foresight Cocking handle Resting bar Magazine \u25b2 MP38 Designed by HeinrichVollmer, FULL VIEW Date 1938 the MP38 submachine-gun closely Origin Germany resembles its famous successor, the Barrel 10in (25.1cm) MP40, which would use simple Caliber 9mm Parabellum steel pressings, die-cast parts, and plastics. However, the MP38 can be easily distinguished by its machined steel receiver and longitudinally grooved receiver tube. Since the gun\u2019s barrel became extremely hot during firing, it was fitted with an aluminum or Bakelite resting bar beneath it, forward of the magazine.","Graduated E U R O P E A N S U B M A C H I N E - G U N S ( 1 9 1 5 \u2013 3 8 ) \u2022 207 rear sight 32-ROUND \u201cSNAIL\u201d DRUM MAGAZINE USED BY BERGMANN MP18\/1 Wooden butt Trigger Rear sling swivel Single-shot trigger Burst-fire trigger Rear sight Small of stock is gripped in hand Skeleton butt Longitudinally grooved receiver tube Pistol grip Trigger guard","208 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) EUROPEAN SUBMACHINE- Compensator Carrying sling GUNS (1939\u201345) reduces muzzle lift Mainspring The submachine-gun (SMG) was one of WorldWar II\u2019s \u25b2 PPSH-41 primary offensive weapons. Light in weight and capable Date 1939 of delivering a massive amount of fire if needed, the Origin Soviet Union submachine-gun was favored by shock troops and those Barrel 101\u20442in (27cm) operating in cramped quarters. Soviet forces used Caliber 7.62mm the PPSH-41 in extensive numbers when attacking, simply because of the volume of fire it could deliver Georgi Shpagin\u2019s \u201cPeh-Peh-Sheh,\u201d reliable against enemy formations. and simple both to manufacture and to maintain, was to become the mainstay \u25bc LANCHESTER SMG The Lanchester SMG was one of the more of the Red Army after it stopped the Date 1941\u201345 robustly built SMGs of WorldWar II. Developed German advance into the Soviet Union. Origin UK for use by the Royal Air Force in 1940, it was later At least five million examples of this Barrel 8in (20.3cm) adopted for boat crews by the Royal Navy and saw sturdy weapon had been produced by Caliber 9mm Parabellum extensive action in that service. It was equipped 1945. DuringWorldWar II, entire with either a 32- or 50-round magazine. In all, units were armed with the PPSH some 95,000 guns were made. so that its firepower could be used against Axis forces. Small of stock is gripped in hand Trigger Rear sling Fore grip insulated \u25bc STEN MARK II (SILENCED) The Sten was very inexpensive, and attachment against heat Date 1941 naturally had its faults, but it was an effective Origin UK way of putting devastating short-range Barrel 353\u20444in (91cm) firepower into the hands of inexperienced Caliber 9mm Parabellum combatants.This version had an integrated noise- and flash-suppressor. Noise\/flash Magazine port suppressor Breech Pressed and stamped Fixed steel butt bolt steel body Rear sight \u25b2 STEN MARK II Cheap and easy to manufacture, Date 1941 the Sten Mark II was a stop-gap Origin UK weapon that was to prove itself Barrel 7\u00bein (19.7cm) an effective submachine-gun. Caliber 9mm The gun was fitted with a 32-round magazine.","E U R O P E A N S U B M A C H I N E - G U N S ( 1 9 3 9 \u2013 4 5 ) \u2022 209 Rate-of-fire selector 71-ROUND DRUM MAGAZINE Barrel shroud Bolt Bayonet lug Finger groove Foresight High-quality \u25b2 BERETTA MODELLO wooden butt 1938\/42 Date 1942 Rear sight Double trigger Origin Italy for automatic and Barrel 8\u00bdin (21.3cm) single-shot fire Extended Caliber 9mm 40-round One of the finest weapons of Fixed magazine its type to see service during skeleton butt World War II, the M38\/42 was well-made, reliable, and, for a submachine-gun, surprisingly accurate. Trigger","210 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) AMERICAN SUBMACHINE-GUNS (1920\u201345) Originally intended for trench warfare, the submachine-gun achieved notoriety in the US Cutts Compensator prevents muzzle during the \u201cRoaring Twenties\u201d as the weapon of choice for gangsters. Used by criminals such as rising Clyde Barrow, the Thompson submachine-gun became associated with rum running and violence. Receiver Rear sight machined from adjustable for DuringWorldWar II, its usefulness in the field was appreciated by commandoes and infantry facing solid steel billet windage and elevation dogged resistance in all theaters of operation. Cooling fin Cocking handle \u25b2 THOMPSON M1921 Forward Magazine release catch 50-ROUND DRUM pistol grip MAGAZINE Date 1921 Rear Cocking-handle pistol grip Origin US cover acts as safety catch Barrel Flat key for Barrel 101\u20442in (26.7cm) locking nut winding the internal spiral Caliber .45in ACP magazine spring US General John Tagliaferro Thompson began by designing an unsatisfactory self-loading rifle in 1916, but by 1919, he had produced an early version of what would be known universally as the Tommy Gun.The M1921 was the first to come to the market, but it was not until 1928 that the US government adopted it, in small numbers, for the Marine Corps. Flash hider Retractable Pistol grip skeleton butt 30-round detachable box magazine \u25b2 M3A1 The M3 \u201cGrease Gun,\u201d and the Rear Date 1940s improved M3A1 version, were sight Origin US cheap to produce and simple to Barrel 8in (20.3cm) strip, clean, and maintain.The Caliber .45in ACP M3A1 fired the same heavy pistol round used in the Colt M1911A1 (see p.169). Walnut butt Receiver take-down release to disassemble the lower receiver Trigger Semi-pistol grip","A M E R I C A N S U B M A C H I N E - G U N S ( 1 9 2 0 \u2013 4 5 ) \u2022 211 Cocking handle \u25c0 THOMPSON MODEL 1928A1 This model was fitted with a Cutts Date 1935 Compensator that allowed combustion Origin US gases generated during firing to be vented Barrel 30.5cm (12in) at the barrel\u2019s muzzle, thereby reducing Caliber .45in the weapon\u2019s tendency, common in submachine-guns, to rise in fully Detachable butt automatic mode.This gun is a simplified Pistol grip version of earlier Thompson models and lacks cooling ribs and a forward Box Cocking pistol grip. magazine handle Wooden forestock Rear sight Rear sling Wooden butt attachment Rear sling Box magazine \u25b2 THOMPSON M1 attachment Date 1941\u201342 Origin US Wooden butt \u25bc THOMPSON M1A1 The M1A1 was a slight variation of the Barrel 10in (25.4cm) removable in Date 1942\u201345 Thompson M1 (right). Additions included Caliber .45in some models Origin US a foresight and a shrouded rear sight.The Barrel 10in (25.4cm) M1A1 saw wide service in virtually every To speed up production during Wooden Caliber .45in Allied army and theater of war. wartime and reduce costs, the butt Thompson was further simplified by Shrouded rear sight Cocking handle losing the compensator, foresight, and cooling ribs to produce the M1.This gun featured a simple rear sight. Foresight Box \u25bc UD42 Designed by Gus Swebelius of magazine SUBMACHINE-GUN the High Standard Arms Company, Date 1942 the UD42 was an extremely simple Rear sling Pistol grip Origin US submachine-gun that could be attachment Barrel 11in (28cm) manufactured at a relatively low Caliber 9mm Parabellum cost. It was distributed primarily to resistance forces operating in Occupied Europe. Barrel Two 20-round magazines clamped together for faster reload FULL VIEW Forward pistol grip","212 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) S H OWC A S E THOMPSON SUBMACHINE-GUN MODEL 1928 This iconic submachine-gun shot to fame because of its use by gangsters such as \u201cMachine-gun Kelly\u201d before attaining respectability in the hands of US military and federal agencies. Recoil-operated (see p.305), this weapon could fire either single shots or continuously in automatic mode, at a rate of 600\u2013700 rounds per minute. A devastating weapon at close quarters, it employed the powerful .45in ACP cartridge. Compensator slots 1 \u25b2 BARREL ASSEMBLY AND RECEIVER Cutts Compensator The barrel fits into the receiver. 1 It features fins that radiate heat and cool it during \u25b2 CUTTS COMPENSATOR operation.The receiver The Cutts Compensator, a device designed by Richard Cutts in 1926, is screwed is a hollow steel onto the muzzle. Unlike a regular muzzle compensator, it consists of a cylinder channel that with slots in its upper half to divert the muzzle blast upward and force the holds the sliding muzzle downward.This prevents the muzzle from rising, especially when bolt assembly. the gun is fired in automatic mode. Flat key for winding the internal spiral magazine spring Forward pistol grip is mounted in front of the receiver \u25c0 DRUM MAGAZINE For this gun, 50- and 100-round drum magazines were available to provide extended fire capability.To load a new cartridge into a magazine, the magazine had to be dismantled and then wound like a clock, compressing the internal spiral magazine spring.","S H O W C A S E | T H O M P S O N S U B M A C H I N E - G U N M O D E L 1 9 2 8 \u2022 213 THOMPSON This weapon was invented by John Cocking handle SUBMACHINE-GUN T.Thompson. Its success is attributed MODEL 1928 to its compactness and high rate of Removable butt fire.This model was adopted by the Date 1928 US Navy in 1928 and was a slight Lower upgrade of theThompson M1921 receiver Origin US (see p.210).The Model 1928 was fitted with a Cutts Compensator 20-round box magazine, an Barrel 12in (30.5cm) and a straight forestock, which alternative to the drum magazine replaced the forward pistol grip for Caliber .45in ACP US Navy use, although some units FULL VIEW were also produced with the grip. DRUM MAGAZINE Ejector to eject Receiver Rear sight spent cartridge cases Breech Lower receiver fits here \u25b6 BLISH \u201cH\u201d PIECE Cocking handle \u25bc COCKING HANDLE \u25b2 MAINSPRING The Blish \u201cH\u201d piece connects the To cock the gun for firing, the cocking handle is pulled backward, The recoil force generated cocking handle with the bolt. It Slot for moving the bolt to the rear.When the trigger is pulled, the bolt by firing a cartridge pushes prevents the bolt from moving \u201cH\u201d piece moves forward, chambering and firing a cartridge. back the bolt, compressing backward before the bullet has this spring. It then springs left the gun.The pressure generated Slot for on firing a cartridge pushes the \u201cH\u201d \u201cH\u201d piece forward, advancing piece downward, locking the bolt in the bolt and preparing the position and closing the breech.When gun to fire the next round. the pressure drops, the \u201cH\u201d piece slides back upward, allowing recoil force to push the bolt backward. Firing pin placed inside \u25c0 BOLT When firing in automatic mode, the bolt Fire selector is locked and unlocked repeatedly, moving lever forward and backward.As a result, spent cartridge cases are continuously ejected from the ejection port and new ones are chambered from the magazine. Magazine attaches here Magazine Safety release catch catch Rear \u25b6 LOWER RECEIVER pistol grip Also known as the frame, the lower receiver houses the basic firing mechanism\u2014the trigger, the fire selector \u25b2 REMOVABLE BUTT lever, the safety catch, the housing in front of the trigger To allow the gun to be made even more compact for guard which the magazine slides into, and the magazine- ease of carrying, or for concealment, the user could easily release catch. A rearward extension has the fitting onto which detach the butt by depressing a catch and sliding it rearward. the removable butt is attached. It also carries the rear pistol grip.","214 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) Folding sight Muzzle brake Tubular bayonet in carrying position SELF-LOADING AND FULLY Wooden AUTOMATIC RIFLES forestock Bipod legs Machine-guns were well established by the early 20th century, Folding stock but semiautomatic and automatic rifles were not as universally accepted. However, the outbreak of WorldWar II in 1939 caused a profound change Rear sight in firearms technology. Self-loading, or semiautomatic, military rifles (those firing one round at a time), which had been treated with some caution by military authorities, were now rapidly accepted for general use.The speed with which this took place is clearly demonstrated by the development of what was to become the M1 Carbine in only 13 days. Equal attention was paid to the design of fully automatic rifles, capable of discharging multiple rounds continuously while the trigger was kept pulled. By 1943, nearly every nation involved in the conflict had either adopted or tested automatic rifles and used them on the battlefield to devastating effect. \u25bc STURMGEWEHR 44 WITH The Sturmgewehr 44, or StG44 (see pp.176\u201377), was christened KRUMMLAUF DEVICE by Adolf Hitler and first issued to German troops in 1944. Date 1944 It was the first true assault rifle (see pp.244\u201345), capable of Origin Germany switching between semiautomatic and fully automatic modes. Barrel 16\u00bdin (41cm) It was first deployed on the Eastern Front to counter the Soviet Caliber 7.62 \u00d7 33mm infantry armed with the PPSH-41 (see pp.208\u201309). Some examples of this weapon were equipped with curved barrels (the Krummlauf device) so that they could be fired indirectly at targets out of the user\u2019s direct line of sight by means of a prismatic sight.This device would prove especially useful in house-to-house fighting. Magazine housing 30-round magazine","S E L F - L O A D I N G A N D F U L L Y A U T O M A T I C R I F L E S \u2022 215 Folding rear sight 20-round \u25c0 FG42 AUTOMATIC RIFLE box magazine Date 1943 Metal butt Origin Germany Slanting pistol grip Barrel 193\u20444in (50.2cm) Rear sight Caliber 7.92 \u00d7 57mm Mauser The FG42 was a fully automatic weapon designed to provide long- range firepower to paratroopers on the ground. It pioneered a \u201cstraight- line\u201d butt-to-muzzle layout. Its gas- operated rotating bolt mechanism, also seen in the semiautomatic M1 Carbine (see p.177), was unusual among automatic arms.The bolt was unlocked by the carrier, which had a slot that caused the bolt to turn as it was driven rearward. \u25b2 M1A1 CARBINE WITH Forestock FOLDING STOCK Date 1942 The M1 Carbine (see p.177) had already Origin US proved popular with soldiers who needed Barrel 18in (45.7cm) a lightweight weapon. For airborne Caliber .30in forces, this special M1A1 variant was produced, complete with a folding stock for use during parachute drops. Detachable 15-round box magazine Gas cylinder Foresight Perforated Bent barrel barrel jacket attachment (Krummlauf ) FULL VIEW","216 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) ARTILLERY (1885\u201396) In 1855, British engineer William Armstrong developed the \u25b6 HOTCHKISS QF 3-POUNDER Traversing first effective breech-loading, rifled field gun.While breech-loading NAVAL GUN ring was quicker than loading via the muzzle, rates of fire increased dramatically after 1885 with the introduction of integrated Date 1885 Naval pintle ammunition.This ammunition consisted of primer, propellant mounting charge, and projectile, all contained in a brass cartridge case, was Origin France similar to the small-arms rounds developed only a few years before. Rapidly firing artillery using these new cartridges were Length (Barrel) 6\u00bdft (2m) described as \u201cQuick-Fire\u201d or \u201cQF\u201d guns. Other breech-loaders used no cartridge case\u2014the explosion of the propellant was Caliber 47mm contained by a special seal, or obturator, on the breechblock. Projectiles fired by artillery pieces in the smoothbore era were Range 2\u00bcmiles (3.6km) spherical and had predictable weights. For example, a 6.4in caliber weapon always fired a 32lb (14.5kg) projectile and was called a The breech-loading Hotchkiss \u201c32-pounder.\u201d With the coming of rifled artillery, projectiles could QF 3-pounder was used by the be made in a range of shapes and weights for a given caliber.Yet British Royal Navy from 1885, some weapons continued to be described in terms of the weight as well as the French, Russian, of the solid projectiles they would shoot if they were smoothbore. and US navies.These guns, made by a division of the Armstrong armaments business, were designed to fire at fast torpedo boats. Operated by two men, they could achieve a rate of fire of about 25 steel shells per minute, an incredibly high rate for the period. Steel barrel Carriage wheel \u25b6 BREECH-LOADING This light field gun could fire eight rounds 15-POUNDER 7CWT per minute. It had a barrel weight of 7 cwt Date 1892 (7 hundredweight\/784lb). It was equipped Origin UK with an early recoil device\u2014its spade was Length (Barrel) 7ft (2.13m) connected to a spring recoil buffer.When Caliber 76.2mm fired, the gun was aligned in such a way that Range 3\u00bc miles (5.26km) the spade dug into the ground, compressing the spring.The elasticity of the spring stopped the rearward movement of the gun and pushed it back to its original position. Stability during operation meant that the gun fired its projectile at the intended angle, and the crew was not injured by the entire piece leaping backward. FULL VIEW","\u25b6 KRUPP FIELD GUN This breech-loading, rifled field gun was Elevated barrel Date 1895 fitted with high brackets to make it sit Origin Germany in an elevated position in the carriage. Wooden wheel Length (Barrel) 8\u00bdft (2.6m) This enabled it to fire over the parapet Caliber 87mm of a fortified site. It is thought to have Recoil recuperator helped Range 1\u2153miles (2.3km) been captured by British forces from gun to return to firing Boers at Pietersburg (modern-day position after recoil Polokwan\u00e8), South Africa, in 1901. Barrel elevated to Handwheel for 35 degrees on elevating gun wheeled carriage Steel carriage lacks Recoil springs recoil control Wooden brake block \u25b2 6IN HOWITZER Wheels could also be Date 1896 detached, and the gun Origin UK Length (Excluding carriage) fired from a built-in 7ft (2.13m) \u201csiege platform\u201d Caliber 6in Range 4\u00bc miles (6.9km) Howitzers in the late 1800s were artillery pieces with relatively short barrels, fired at high trajectories. This breech-loading howitzer could be fired as a siege gun on a static siege platform or on a field carriage, as seen here. It was employed by the British Army during the Second Boer War (1899\u20131902) and in the early months of World War I. Recoil device on trail Trail Spade","218 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) Trail spade managed recoil and ensured that the gun ARTILLERY (1897\u20131911) remained stable while firing In Europe there were some key requirements that guided the \u25b2 FRENCH M1897 75MM FIELD Wooden development of field guns at the end of the 19th century. Almost all GUN \u201cSOIXANTE QUINZE\u201d carriage wheel artillery was horse-drawn, which limited the weight of the gun and its mobility. Armed forces also demanded greater range and accuracy. Date 1897 Barrel could be depressed To achieve this, mechanisms to control the recoil of the gun were to -15 degrees and elevated developed so that the trail and wheels were still while firing, and Origin France to +22 degrees all the force of the exploding charge was directed forward. At the same time, Quick-Fire guns (see p.216) evolved, achieving rates Length (Excluding carriage) of fire of 20 rounds per minute or more. 14\u00beft (4.5m) FULL VIEW Caliber 75mm Rollers at Range 4\u00bc miles (6.9km) muzzle, part of the recoil device This Quick-Fire gun incorporated a hydropneumatic recoil mechanism, which kept the gun\u2019s trail and wheels still during the firing sequence. In addition, the gun had a rapid- opening screw breech.These factors allowed it to achieve a rate of fire of 15 rounds per minute. Carriage wheel \u25b2 FRENCH CANON DE The Canon de 75mm Mod\u00e8le 1897 used FULL VIEW 75MM MOD\u00c8LE 1897 a hydropneumatic recoil mechanism Date 1897 that worked like a shock absorber and Dial sight for precise Origin France kept the trail and wheels stationary angular position Length (Barrel) 8\u00beft (2.7m) when firing.Widely regarded as the first during indirect fire Caliber 75mm modern artillery gun, it could fire 15 Range 4\u00bc miles (6.9km) rounds per minute. Muzzle Recuperator wrapped with rope \u25b6 18-POUNDER QF MARK II Carriage wheel Date 1904 Trail spade Origin UK Single-pole Length (Barrel) 7\u00beft (2.34m) trail Caliber 3.3in Range 3\u00be miles (6km) The standard British field gun for almost four decades, the 18-pounder (which fired projectiles weighing 18lb\/8.17kg) was first introduced in 1904. It fired a wide variety of projectiles, including high explosive, shrapnel, gas, and armor-piercing rounds. Its six-man crew could fire 20 rounds per minute for short periods.","A R T I L L E R Y ( 1 8 9 7 \u2013 1 9 1 1 ) \u2022 219 Muzzle \u25b6 7.7CM FK 96 NA The 7.7cm Feldkanone 96 Neuer Art was Date 1905 the standard German field gun at the Origin Germany start of WorldWar I, and although Length (Barrel) 6\u00beft (2.1m) reliable, its elevation was limited. Caliber 77mm A crew of five could fire 10 rounds Range 4\u215e miles (7.8km) per minute. It was also widely used by both sides in the Spanish CivilWar. Sight Trail was sometimes Shield dug in to improve elevation and range Trail spade \u25c0 2.75IN MOUNTAIN GUN FULL VIEW Date 1911 Origin UK For transportation, the jointed Length (Excluding carriage) barrel of this mountain gun 91\u20442ft (2.9m) could be disassembled\u2014it Caliber 2.7in broke down into two sections Range 3.41 miles (5.5km) and the rest of the gun into a further three.The gun could be carried by six mules, or towed.","220 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) Hammer SPECIAL-PURPOSE GUNS Barrel Special-purpose firearms range from those designed Brass body Trigger guard for personal defence, such as the Dolne Apache Pistol which combines a revolver, dagger, and knuckle-duster, Six-round to silenced weapons intended for clandestine operations. cylinder Also in this category are single-shot, large-bore pistols that fire pyrotechnic smoke cartridges for signaling, or flares to illuminate a night sky. \u25b6 DOLNE Developed in the 1870s \u25b2 WEBLEY AND SCOTT APACHE PISTOL by Louis Dolne, a Belgian FLARE PISTOL Date 1890 gunmaker, the Apache pistol Origin Belgium was a pure street weapon. Date 1882\u20131919 Barrel No barrel It consisted of a barreless Caliber 7mm pin-fire revolver\u2014only of Origin UK value at point-blank range\u2014 to which was attached a hinged Barrel 4in (10cm) knife blade at the lower front edge of the cylinder frame. Its handle Caliber 1in doubled as a set of knuckle-dusters. Visual signals are an important means Knuckle-duster of communicating during military actions.This was never more the case than during World War I, when the din of battle was ever-present. Breaking open for loading like a shotgun, this brass Webley and Scott Flare Pistol could fire smoke charges or flares to illuminate the battlefield at night. Barrel Trigger 27MM FLARE CARTRIDGE Cocking handle FLARE CARTRIDGE PACKET \u25b2 FLARE PISTOL Barrel Date 1907 Origin Germany This flare pistol is of simple steel Barrel 4in (101\u20444cm) and wood construction.The firing Caliber 27mm mechanism consists of a sprung cocking handle, which acts as a firing pin when released by the trigger. Trigger guard","S P E C I A L - P U R P O S E G U N S \u2022 221 Slide grips Barrel External suppressor Rear sight Ejection port Checkered \u25b2 WEBLEY AND SCOTT PISTOL Trigger External pistol grip WITH SUPPRESSOR \u25b2 VZ 27 PISTOL suppressor WITH SUPPRESSOR Date 1907 Date 1927 TheVZ 27 (vzor or Model 27) was a Origin Czechoslovakia compact self-loading pistol designed Origin UK Barrel 8in (20.3cm) by Josef Nickl of the Ceska Zbrojovka. with suppressor TheVZ 27 remained in production Barrel 9\u00bcin (23cm) with suppressor Caliber 7.65 \u00d7 17mm until 1955. During World War II, the German intelligence service (Abwehr) Caliber 7.65 \u00d7 17mm Top-folding usedVZ 27s fitted with sound stock suppressors (shown here). Later, TheWebley and Scott 1907 was one of they were used by the Czech several automatic pistols manufactured intelligence services. byWebley in the first decades of the 20th century. Fitted with a sound \u25c0 LUGER P.08 WITH SUPPRESSOR suppressor, or a silencer, this gun Date 1940s was carried by agents of British Origin Germany covert forces inWorldWar II. Barrel 11\u00bcin (28cm) with suppressor Caliber 9mm Parabellum External suppressor This Luger was used by some British covert forces during World War II. Open receiver Breech bolt with It is fitted with a suppressor for use grasping ribs as an assassination weapon. In many ways, the Luger was best suited to covert, police, and security work, since its mechanical system was vulnerable to the dirt of battlefield use. Trigger \u25b2 WELGUN SMG Magazine guard Date 1943 housing Origin UK Barrel 6\u00bdin (16.5cm) TheWelgun was a light and compact experimental Caliber 9mm Parabellum submachine-gun developed for British covert operations use, but also as an intended airborne forces weapon, a replacement for the troublesome Sten (see p.208). It had a top-folding stock and was fed from a 32-round vertical magazine.","222 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) SPY AND COVERT FORCES GUNS The Special Operations Executive (SOE) was a British organization specializing in covert operations. \u25b2 HIGH STANDARD MODEL B WITH SILENCER Along with its American counterpart, the Office of Date 1932 Strategic Services (OSS), the SOE inserted commandoes Origin US and agents into Occupied Europe during World War II. Barrel 9in (23cm) These forces were frequently armed with weapons Trigger guard Caliber .22in featuring sound suppressors (silencers) that allowed Of the guns made by the High stealth tactics to be implemented. Often, the Standard Manufacturing Company, one of the first was the Model B. It OSS dropped cheap, single-use pistols, such as was a highly accurate .22in handgun designed for casual target shooting, the Liberator, from aircraft to arm partisan forces but also found military applications. Unlike the Model A target pistol, until they could secure standard-issue weapons which was similar but had adjustable sights, the Model B had fixed sights. from enemy forces. Firing mechanism This gun was used by OSS agents inWorldWar II. \u25b6 WRIST PISTOL Wrist strap Barrel Date 1939\u201345 Fixed butt Origin UK Barrel 1in 2.54cm) Caliber .25in This small, .25in-caliber firing device was designed to be worn on the wrist of SOE personnel, so that it was readily available without having to be held. It was fired by a string attached to the inside of a shirt or jacket. Trigger guard Combined foresight and trigger guard Detachable magazine \u25b2 DE LISLE CARBINE Hand-operated Trigger \u25c0 FP-45 LIBERATOR PISTOL Date 1942 breechblock Origin UK Pressed-steel Date 1942 Barrel 8\u00bcin (20.9cm) Designed byWilliam Godfray de body Caliber .45in Lisle, this carbine is recognized as Origin US one of the quietest firearms ever made. It incorporates an integral Barrel 4in (10cm) sound suppressor around its barrel, and the report made when it is fired Caliber .45in is inaudible except to the user. Though made in severely limited Designed by the OSS as a simple quantities, it saw service with and very cheap gun, the Liberator British commandoes duringWorld was intended to be paradropped War II, as well as afterward. to resistance groups. It had 10 rounds of ammunition and was delivered with illustrated strip instructions for use.","Sound Blade S P Y A N D C O V E R T F O R C E S G U N S \u2022 223 suppressor foresight Bowl Barrel \u25bc PIPE PISTOL Muzzle housed Date 1939\u201345 Common items carried on the person within cigarette Origin UK were capable of being transformed into lethal Barrel Not known firing devices.This device fromWorldWar II Caliber .22in was designed for use by SOE personnel. It was fired by removing the mouthpiece and twisting the bowl while grasping the barrel. \u25c0 SINGLE-SHOT This device disguised as a cigarette was CIGARETTE PISTOL developed at an SOE laboratory.The Date 1939\u201345 device was fired when the user pulled Firing string Origin UK on a string with his teeth. Because of Barrel Not known its short barrel it had a limited range. Rear Caliber .22in sight Forestock Barrel is surrounded by Front sling integral sound suppressor attachment Rear sight Foresight Barrel containing baffles and wipes to suppress sound Trigger \u25b2 WELROD Developed at Station IX\u2014a secret SILENCED PISTOL SOE factory\u2014theWelrod was an Pistol grip containing Date c.1943 exceptionally quiet assassination weapon, six-round magazine Origin UK firing subsonic ammunition (ammunition Barrel 12in (30.5cm) having a muzzle velocity less than Caliber 9mm 1,100ft\/335m per second).The sights were sometimes marked with fluorescent paint for low-light conditions.","224 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) Hammer spur SPORTING AND Under-lever HUNTING FIREARMS \u25b2 WINCHESTER MODEL The Model 1873 was the first In this period, as previously, hunters required 1873 SPORTING RIFLE repeating rifle of its type to be firearms of differing natures for different Date 1885 widely used throughout the world. environments and types of game. A small-caliber Origin US It was chambered for cartridges repeating rifle firing a revolver cartridge might Barrel 23\u00bdin (60cm) of sufficient strength for hunting have been ideal for some circumstances, such as Caliber .44in-40 medium-size game, such as deer. It hunting small game, but a heavy-caliber rifle was favored by hunters in North firing powerful cartridges was essential when America, Africa, and India. dealing with large, dangerous animals such as rhinos or elephants.While a higher rate of fire Heavy steel made lever-action guns popular for sporting and barrels hunting, bolt-action weapons were more robust and reliable, and easier to maintain. Box-lock housing Front sling attachment Semi-pistol \u25b2 DOUBLE-BARRELED RIFLE This double-barreled rifle has a short barrel and grip Date 1887 simple sights, both indicators that it would be best Origin England used for the hunting of large or fast game, such as Rear sling Barrel 24in (60.9cm) elephants, rhinos, or cape buffaloes, at close attachment Caliber 1.05in ranges.The gun is of a \u201cbox-lock\u201d design, the operating mechanism being contained within a box-shaped housing. Breech-locking lever Walnut Incised checkering on the stock straight-through grip Single Engraved Breech trigger lock cover Metal-reinforced stock Under-lever Fine-grained stock \u25b2 GIBBS-FARQUHARSON RIFLE This rifle was made for famous hunter F. C. Selous Date c.1890 in .400in\/.450incaliber.The grip is fitted with Origin UK steel plates, a customization requested by Selous Barrel 25in (63.5cm) to strengthen the gun.The original barrel has been Caliber .22in Hornet replaced by one made to take a .22in-caliber Hornet round. Despite this small caliber, the velocity of the bullet was ideal for shooting game such as deer.","S P O R T I N G A N D H U N T I N G F I R E A R M S \u2022 225 Forestock Receiver Bolt Rear Tubular Safety catch sight magazine Incised checkering Five-round integral \u25b2 MAUSER Waffenfabrik Mauser (see pp.164\u201365) came to dominate on semi-pistol grip box magazine BOLT-ACTION RIFLE the world market for bolt-action rifles for both civilian Date 1890 and military applications, and its hunting rifles set the Turned-down Origin Germany standard for the type.This rifle employs the action bolt handle Barrel 25in (63.5cm) of the Model 1888 infantry rifle as modified for the Caliber 7.9 \u00d7 57mm carbine, with a flattened, turned-down bolt handle. The five-round magazine is of the pattern developed by Steyr-Mannlicher (see pp.290\u201391). \u25b2 WINCHESTER MODEL In 1883, a young gunmaker named John Browning Tubular 1894 SPORTING CARBINE (see pp.180\u201381) began working forWinchester. His magazine Date 1894 first task was to revamp the action of the company\u2019s Under-lever Origin US under-lever rifle to allow it to use new types of Barrel 20in (50.8cm) ammunition, and he supplemented the toggle-jointed Caliber .30in-30 bolt designed by American gunmaker BenjaminTyler Henry with additional vertical locking bars.The Abbreviated system was perfected in the Model 1894. forestock Steel barrels FULL VIEW \u25b2 WESTLEY RICHARDS Master gunmakerWestley Richards produced various notable DOUBLE-BARRELED and highly innovative sporting guns and rifles.This bird-hunting HAMMERLESS SHOTGUN example of a double-barreled hammerless ejector gun has a patent one-striker mechanism and locks that can be detached by Date c.1930 hand.A press-button mechanism enables each barrel to be fired independently.Available in a choice of finishes, the gun could be Origin UK tailored to suit the individual tastes of purchasers. Length 26\u00bdin (67.5cm) Caliber .74in Forestock Bolt Tall foresight handle blade Bolt Rear sight Safety catch Internal \u25b2 RIGBY MAUSER RIFLE Front sling five-round Date 1925 attachment box magazine Origin UK Barrel 27\u00bdin (70cm) Rigby\u2019s began making guns in Dublin, Ireland, Incised checkering Caliber .375in in the 18th century. In 1900, now in London, the on semi-pistol grip company was appointed Mauser\u2019s UK agent, and began producing bolt-action rifles to its design in a variety of calibers. John Rigby, the company\u2019s head, oversaw the design of the British Army\u2019s bolt-action rifles.","","ELEPHANT-BACK SAFARI Fine-quality firearms have traditionally been made for nobles and wealthy sportsmen. Pictured here in Nepal, c.1910, is the Prince of Wales, later King EdwardVIII, standing in the front of the howdah on an elephant, ready to hunt tigers with his English double-barreled hammerless rifle.","228 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) Barrel ARTILLERY (1914\u201336) Howitzers and field guns remained in use during this era. Howitzers had first been developed in the 17th century as weapons intermediate in range and firing angle between a mortar and a field gun. By World War I, some had grown to become huge, long-range weapons mounted on rails. Mortars, in contrast, had become light weapons usually operated by infantry, rather than artillerymen. DuringWorldWar I, large howitzers were used to engage targets in the rear of enemy positions. British long-range guns tended to use a bag-charge propellant system, while the Germans used heavy-caliber brass cartridges. Screw jack handles for raising and lowering the gun carriage Traverse Stepping turntable ladder Barrel clamp Muzzle \u25b2 MODEL 12IN Crew step \u25c0 SKODA HEAVY FIELD HOWITZER MARK I ON for front seat HOWITZER M1914\/16 RAILROAD MOUNTING Date 1916 Date 1916 Origin UK Length (Excluding carriage) Origin Austria-Hungary 18\u00beft (5.71m) Caliber 12in Length (Excluding carriage) Range 6\u00bc miles (10.17km) 14\u00beft (4.5m) Manufactured by the Elswick Caliber 149mm Ordnance Company for the British Army, 12in railroad howitzers were Range 5\u00bd miles (8.75km) operated in pairs by the British Royal Garrison Artillery.The short-barreled This gun was produced for Mark I was soon superseded by the the Austro-Hungarian Army. longer-barreled Mark III, which had A skilled crew could fire two 40 percent greater range, and the 901\u20444lb (41kg) shells a minute Mark V, which had much-improved for a limited period of action. traverse, or horizontal, field of fire. Large numbers of the gun were handed over to the Carriage Italian Army in World War II. wheel","A R T I L L E R Y ( 1 9 1 4 - 3 6 ) \u2022 229 Shield protects the crew against enemy fire \u25c0 KRUPP L\/12 HOWITZER The Germans used this heavy Date 1914 howitzer made by Krupp at the Origin Germany beginning of World War I to Length (Excluding carriage) bombard the Belgian forts at 19\u00bcft (5.88m) Liege. Only two weapons were Caliber 12in in use at the outset of the war, Range 9\u00bc miles (15km) but a further 10 were built. The gun came to be called \u201cBig Bertha.\u201d \u25bc BL 6IN MARK 1 This British howitzer was built 26CWT HOWITZER during World War I, (seen here Date 1917 without a carriage) and over Origin UK 4,000 were made. British forces Length (Barrel) 7\u00bcft (2.21m) continued to use it duringWorld Caliber 6in War II. It used one of the first Range 6\u00bd miles (10.42km) hydropneumatic recoil systems in British service. Sight \u25c0 BRITISH 3IN MORTAR This mortar was officially Carrying \u25c0 50MM LIGHT MORTAR 36 Date 1930 known as the 3in Mark II. handle While it was a sturdy and Date 1936 Origin UK reliable weapon, its range was not as good as its Origin Germany Length (Excluding stand) equivalent\u2014the German 41\u20442ft (1.4m) 8cm Granatwerfer 34. In Length (Excluding stand) the early years ofWorldWar 73\u20444ft (1.14m) Caliber 3.2in II, it required a change in the ammunition propellant to Caliber 50mm Range 1 mile (1.6km) increase the weapon\u2019s range. Range 1\u20444 mile (0.52km) Despite its designation as a light mortar, with the tube and baseplate combined, the M36, at 30\u00belb (14kg), was a somewhat heavy mortar, and its complex and costly design led to it being phased out of service from 1941. Tails MORTAR BOMB","230 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) ARTILLERY (1939\u201345) Barrel Gunshield Breech Field artillery continued to play an important role \u25b6 M1938 122MM HOWITZER Recoil duringWorldWar II.While artillery manufacture was system handled by commercial companies in Germany, in Date 1939 countries such as Britain, artillery was built by the state. Pneumatic tire A lot of British artillery tactical thinking was still based Origin Soviet Union on ideas fromWorldWar I\u2014centered around improving twists in rifling and fire controls\u2014and this restricted the Length (Excluding carriage) speedy development of new designs.While howitzers 19\u00bcft (5.9m) and mortars continued to be used, new threats spurred the development of antitank (see pp.232\u201333) and Caliber 122mm antiaircraft (see pp.234\u201335) guns. Range 7\u00bd miles (11.8km) Also known as the M30, this field howitzer was a mainstay of the Red Army\u2019s artillery division. Maintained by a crew of eight, it could fire six rounds per minute. \u25b6 BRITISH 7.2IN BL Trunnion (mounting HOWITZER MARK III point on which ON US M8 CARRIAGE the gun pivots) Date 1940 This gun had originally been designed for a two-wheeled box Origin UK trail carriage. It was found to be too powerful when using a full Length (Excluding carriage) propellant charge and so was 45ft (13.71m) mounted on the more stable M8 gun carriage.The gun was Caliber 7.2in introduced in 1943 and became the main heavy gun of the British Army. Open breech Range more than 7 miles (11.26km) bracket without breechblock FULL VIEW M8 carriage Limber Muzzle of short howitzer barrel Trail Steel wheel \u25c0 M1A1 PACK HOWITZER Trail spades (here in traveling position) managed recoil Date 1940 and ensured that the gun Origin US remained stable while firing M8 carriage Pneumatic tires Length (Excluding carriage) 12ft (3.68m) Caliber 75mm Range 1\u00bd miles (2.56km) This lightweight howitzer was developed for use on rough terrain, where it could be broken down into separate pieces and carried by pack animals. It was also successfully assigned to US airborne forces.","FULL VIEW A R T I L L E R Y ( 1 9 3 9 \u2013 4 5 ) \u2022 231 Trail Long barrel raised handle in firing position Split trails of Trail spade Road wheels carriage fitted in traveling configuration Barrel \u25b2 M1A1 155MM GUN Wheel \u25bc BL 5.5IN MEDIUM After several design problems, Date 1941 GUN MARK III this gun was introduced in 1942. British forces used it in the Origin US Date 1942 Western Desert Campaign in Africa and until the end of Length 24ft (7.36m) Origin UK WorldWar II. At over six tons in weight, it was difficult to Caliber 155mm Length (Excluding carriage) maneuver and deploy 24\u00bdft (7.52m) without a heavy tractor. Range 14\u00bd miles (23.22km) Caliber 5.5in The M1A1 was the principal gun of US long-range artillery during Range 10\u00bc miles (16.55km) World War II. It was capable of with 80lb (36.2kg) shell firing a 95lb (43kg) high-explosive shell at a speed of 2,800ft (853m) per second. It could also fire other ammunition, including smoke and antitank rounds. Barrel \u25bc BRITISH 4.2IN MORTAR Date 1942 Origin UK Length 6\u00be ft (2.1m) Caliber 4.2in Range 2\u00bd miles (3.75km) Breechblock operating Unlike most mortars, which lever assembly were infantry weapons and did not require artillery crews Split trail to operate them, the 4.2in carriage Mortar\u2014the British Army\u2019s heavy mortar\u2014was manned by crews from the Royal Artillery. Tripod for support","232 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) ANTITANK ARTILLERY Armored shield The rapid development of the tank during Tubular WorldWar I spurred a parallel development in antitank split trail weapons. Most of the designs from beforeWorldWar II were of small caliber and used a solid projectile fired Trail spade stabilizes at high velocity to smash through a tank\u2019s defensive gun during firing armor. In the years leading up to World War II, tank armor became thicker, prompting the need for larger caliber weapons, often using explosive rounds, to counter it. It was not uncommon for weapons designed for other purposes to be used as antitank weapons, the German Flak 36 being an example used in the first years of World War II. \u25b2 PAK 36 ANTITANK GUN Designed for warfare in the 1930s, the light PAK 36 Date 1934 was obsolete by 1940. It was nicknamed the \u201cdoor knocker\u201d Origin Germany for the way its shells bounced off the armor of Allied tanks. Length (Excluding carriage) Double-baffle 11ft (3.4m) muzzle brake Caliber 37mm Armor penetration 1\u00bdin (38mm) at 400 yards (365m) \u25b6 ZIS-3 M1942 FIELD\/ Although designed as a Shield to ANTITANK GUN divisional field gun, the protect crew M1942 could also destroy from enemy fire Date 1942 armor with high-explosive and armor-piercing rounds. Recuperator Origin Soviet Union The gun\u2019s recuperator helped its barrel to return to the Length (Excluding carriage) firing position after recoil. 20ft (6.1m) Caliber 76.2mm Armor penetration 3\u00bein (98mm) at 545 yards (500m) Split trail \u25bc 6-POUNDER ANTITANK GUN The 6-pounder Antitank Gun replaced the ineffective Date 1943 2-pounder in 1942. It was widely used in all theaters of the war. A Origin UK version (shown here) was made with jointed trail legs so it could Length (Excluding carriage) be carried in an aircraft. 15\u00beft (4.8m) Caliber 57mm Armor penetration 3in (80mm) at 1,000 yards (915m) Muzzle Trail brake Semiautomatic Recuperator breech Gun slide","Multisection barrel A N T I T A N K A R T I L L E R Y \u2022 233 Recuperator helps the barrel to return to its firing position after recoil Breech \u25b2 FLAK 36 AA\/AT GUN Designed as an antiaircraft (AA) gun, the Stabilizing Road wheel famed \u201c88,\u201d as it was known, was found to leg (unfolded) Date 1936 be highly effective as an antitank gun. It Double-baffle could be put in position very quickly\u2014 muzzle brake Origin Germany within three minutes\u2014although its bulk and height made it difficult to conceal. It Length (Excluding carriage) was able to fire up to 20 rounds per minute. 19ft (5.79m) Caliber 88mm Armor penetration 6\u00bcin (159mm) at 1,094 yards (1,000m) Traversing pad quickly moves the gun sideways using the weight of the gunner\u2019s body Trail leg \u25c0 PAK 40 ANTITANK GUN hinge Date 1942 Origin Germany Length (Excluding carriage) 20\u00bcft (6.2m) Caliber 75mm Armor penetration 3\u00bdin (87mm) at 1,094 yards (1,000m) This gun was a scaled-up version of the Pak 36 (opposite) and was introduced in 1942 to counter heavy Soviet tanks encountered on the Russian Front. Many German armored vehicles were also equipped with this gun. Carriage wheel","234 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) ANTIAIRCRAFT GUNS Towing eye Specialized antiaircraft guns were developed as soon as FULL VIEW aircraft became a perceived threat at the beginning of World War I. By the outset of World War II, aircraft had become a major threat to ground forces, and heavy guns were designed to fire projectiles at a high altitude for high-flying aircraft, while light-caliber guns fired rapidly at low-flying aircraft. The target height was measured by optical instruments on the ground. Antiaircraft guns fired shells with fuses timed to explode when they reached target height. Aircraft were not usually brought down by direct hits, but by shrapnel from these bursting shells, which came to be known as \u201cflak.\u201d \u25bc 2CM FLAK 38 2CM Elevating ring ANTIAIRCRAFT GUN Date 1943 Origin Germany Length 13\u00bcft (4.08m) Caliber 20mm Range 1\u00bd miles (2.2km) The German term for antiaircraft guns, Flak (Flugzeugabwehrkanone), gave its name to the bursting shells of antiaircraft guns in general. The German arms manufacturer Rheinmetall started an adaptation of the naval 2cm Antiaircraft (AA) gun for army use, producing the Flak 30 and later, the Flak 38. Gunner\u2019s seat Carriage","A N T I A I R C R A F T G U N S \u2022 235 Single Sight 20-mm barrel bracket \u25b6 POLSTEN QUAD 20MM The Polsten was a Polish AA gun ANTIAIRCRAFT GUN similar to the 20mm German Oerlikon gun.The quad version Date 1944 of the Polsten (with four mounted barrels) could fire at a rate of 450 Flash Origin Poland armor-piercing bullets or explosive hider shells per minute.The elevating and Length 6\u00beft (2.1m) traversing action was hydraulically controlled, which enabled the Caliber 20mm gunner to have immediate control at his fingertips. Range 1\u00bc miles (2.02km) Drum \u25b6 BOFORS 40MM Sight magazine ANTIAIRCRAFT GUN Automatic Date 1934 ammunition feed Origin Sweden Stabilizing Length (Excluding carriage) outrigger 20ft (6.24m) Caliber 40mm Range 4\u00bd miles (7.2km) Considered to be one of the finest antiaircraft guns of World War II, the Bofors combined combining accuracy, range, and a decent-sized exploding projectile. It was exported throughout the world, and used by both Axis and Allied armies. Road wheels Stabilizing Carriage outrigger","236 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) MAN-PORTABLE Oil bottle Five-round ANTITANK WEAPONS box magazine (1930\u201339) Cheek rest Pistol grip The first portable antitank rifle was developed by Left-hand Germany inWorld War I. It was called the Mauser 1918 grip Gas T-Gewehr and was chambered for 13.2mm cartridges. German regulator forces used this long, heavy weapon effectively against British Pad absorbs tanks. Antitank weapons required a heavily constructed breech some recoil and barrel to fire a sufficiently heavy and high-velocity round to penetrate armor. All of the designs developed prior to World War II were heavy and needed a support, such as a bipod, so that the operator could fire the weapon. Recoil Rear grip Gas cylinder, into which propellant pad support gas was bled off to drive piston \u25b2 SOLOTHURN S18-100 and bolt rearward to cycle action ANTITANK RIFLE Date 1930 The Solothurn Antitank rifle fired a Origin Switzerland base-fused shell (an artillery round Barrel 35\u00bdin (90cm) in miniature) that gave acceptable Caliber 20mm results against light armor.This gun Armor penetration 1\u00bdin had a gas-operated, self-loading action (35mm) at 109 yards (100m) similar to that of many self-loading small-arm rifles. An upgraded version of this one, the S18-1000, saw service with the German Army as the PzB41. Perforated jacket to air-cool barrel Gas cylinder Spiked bipod feet FULL VIEW Harmonica Recoil pad muzzle brake","M A N - P O R T A B L E A N T I T A N K W E A P O N S ( 1 9 3 0 \u2013 3 9 ) \u2022 237 Rear sight bracket Foresight bracket Muzzle and rear sight and foresight brake Barrel \u25b2 BOYS MK1 The Boys Antitank rifle fired a ANTITANK RIFLE heavy tungsten steel round, and had a correspondingly violent Date 1937 recoil. However, it was only able to pierce light armor, and was Origin UK replaced by the PIAT (see p.239). T-shaped monopod Barrel 35\u00bein (91cm) supports weight of rifle Caliber .55in Armor penetration \u00bein (21mm) at 330 yards (302m) Flash hider Muzzle brake 10-round \u25bc LAHTI L39 The L39\u2019s enormous size and box magazine ANTITANK RIFLE weight gave it the nickname \u201cElephant Gun.\u201d The Finnish Date 1939 Army used it against Soviet tanks to good effect during Origin Finland theWinterWar of 1939\u201340. Barrel 4\u00bcft (1.3m) Caliber 20 \u00d7 138mm Armor penetration 1\u00bcin (30mm) at 110 yards (100m) Rear sight Plywood skis Pistol grip for balance","238 \u2022 A W O R L D I N C O N F L I C T ( 1 8 8 0 \u2013 1 9 4 5 ) MAN-PORTABLE ANTITANK Barrel slides back on firing, WEAPONS (1940\u201342) compressing a buffer spring Portable antitank weapons continued to be developed as World Shoulder stock in the shoulder stock War II progressed. Some systems, such as the PIAT, relied on a spring- driven firing pin to ignite a propellant charge attached to the base of Trigger a self-propelled projectile. Others, such as the bazooka, released projectiles with solid rocket motors. In both cases, when the projectile Foresight met its target, a shaped-charge warhead helped to focus the effect of the explosive\u2019s energy so that it could penetrate armor effectively.This made launchers lighter and easier to make.As tanks evolved and their armor became thicker, older designs of antitank rifle, such as the PTRD, became obsolete, as they could rarely knock out a tank even at a very short range. Trough to hold bomb before launch Propellant charge Tubular receiver in body tube contains mortar and driving spring PIAT 3LB (1.36KG) BOMB Trigger Shrouded guard stabilizing fins Supporting monopod Shaped-charge warhead \u25bc PANZERB\u00dcSCHE 39 The Panzerb\u00dcsche 39 relied Rectangular ANTITANK RIFLE on its very high muzzle velocity frame front sight and tungsten-cored bullet to Date 1940 penetrate enemy armor. It Foresight was, however, expensive to Origin Germany manufacture, and was only produced in small numbers. Barrel 3\u00bdft (1.08m) Rear sight Caliber 7.92 \u00d7 94mm Armor penetration 1in (25mm) at 330 yards (300m) Folding stock Barrel with (extended) integral recoil mechanism Trigger","M A N - P O R T A B L E A N T I T A N K W E A P O N S ( 1 9 4 0 \u2013 4 2 ) \u2022 239 Carrying Foresight handle Barrel Bipod leg \u25b2 PTRD ANTITANK RIFLE The PTRD was a more complicated Date 1941 weapon than it appeared. It had a barrel Origin Soviet Union that recoiled into the receiver and unlocked Barrel 4ft (1.23m) the bolt in the process.The bolt was held Caliber 14.5mm back when the barrel returned to its original Armor penetration 1.3\u20131.5in position, opening the breech and ejecting the (35\u201340mm) at 110 yards (100m) spent round. A fresh round was then introduced by the loader and the bolt closed by hand. \u25bc PIAT The PIAT (Projector, Infantry, Date 1942 Antitank), like the Sten (see p.208), Origin UK was a wartime expedient design that Length 3ft (0.99m) put function before form. It was Caliber 89mm actually a special mortar that fired a Armor penetration 3in (75mm) bomb with a shaped-charge warhead. at 120 yards (110m) Canvas covering Shoulder pad Rear sight Shoulder rest containing Tail latch holds battery for electrical launch the rocket in firing position Rocket inserted at rear Trigger is Lightbulb to the switch in test the circuit a battery- \u25b2 M1A1 BAZOOKA The Bazooka was essentially a powered circuit Date 1942 tube that launched a solid-fuel Origin US rocket with a shaped-charge Shaped-charge warhead Length 4\u00bdft (1.37m) warhead. It was operated by Caliber 60mm two men\u2014one who fired Armor penetration 4\u00bein and one who loaded. (120mm) at 150 yards (138m) M1A1 3\u00bdLB (1.54KG) ROCKET","COLT M4 CARBINE","THE MODERN ERA 1 9 4 5 \u2013 P R E S E N T DAY After 1945, the construction and manufacture of firearms changed in key ways\u2014parts made of wood became parts of polymer or synthetic composite materials, and detailed castings replaced components previously machined from blocks of steel. Guns became more robust and production costs dropped. Some truly distinct types of firearm, such as assault rifles and advanced submachine-guns, evolved and became widely used.","242 \u2022 T H E M O D E R N E R A ( 1 9 4 5 \u2013 P R E S E N T D A Y ) SELF-LOADING \u25b2 SIMONOV SKS-45 CARBINE Designed by Sergei Gravilovich Simonov, RIFLES Date 1945 the SKS entered service in 1945, and Origin Soviet Union variants have been sold throughout the Drawing upon the designs developed during Barrel 20\u00bdin (52cm) world. It was adopted as China\u2019s primary World War II, and the performance of the arms Caliber 7.62 \u00d7 39mm battle rifle. Some variants, such as made during that conflict, postwar designers this example, were equipped with further refined self-loading rifles. Improvements permanently attached bayonets that were made to their locks, or actions, synthetic folded rearward when not in use. materials began to replace wood stocks, and pressed metal components were introduced to reduce Fire selector weight. Importantly, most of these rifles, which switch were all gas-operated (including those featured here), were chambered for standardized cartridges adopted by defense unions, such as NATO. Flash hider \u25b2 FN FAL PROTOTYPE Originally developed to fire a Ribbed walnut Detachable Date 1950 .280in caliber cartridge, the FAL forestock 20-round box Origin Belgium proved to be an immediate success. Barrel 23\u00bdin (60cm) It was later modified for use with the magazine Caliber .280in 7.62 \u00d7 51mm NATO round, which was developed as a standard for small arms Trigger among NATO countries.This rifle has Rear sight seen service throughout the world. Magazine release catch Folding butt Pistol grip \u25bc L1A1 The L1A1, manufactured by the Royal Trigger Date 1954 Small Arms Factory, Enfield, UK, was guard Origin UK the standard British service rifle until Barrel 21in (53.3cm) its replacement by the L85A1 (see p.250) Detachable Caliber 7.62 \u00d7 51mm NATO in 1985. It was adapted from the Belgian box magazine FN FAL (above), but with minor changes to the specifications, to facilitate Gas regulator manufacture in the UK. Flash hider (a device that reduces flash Wooden forestock from the exploding propellant gases after the gun is fired, preventing the user from Twenty-round detachable box magazine being blinded in low-light conditions)","S E L F - L O A D I N G R I F L E S \u2022 243 Rear sight Bayonet Rear sling swivel Magazine catch \u25b2 M14 RIFLE Designed to use the then-standard NATO Gas cylinder Date 1957 round, the US M14 replaced the old M1 Flash hider Detachable 20-round Origin US rifle (see p.176).The M14 possessed fully box magazine Barrel 22in (55.8cm) automatic fire capability and was equipped Wooden Caliber 7.62 \u00d7 51mm NATO with a larger magazine. By the late 1960s, butt it was replaced by the M16 (see p.245). Detachable 30-round Butt box magazine Rear sling swivel \u25b2 STONER 63 Designed as a modular firearm, ASSAULT RIFLE the Stoner 63 can be assembled \u25bc STERLING LIGHT AUTO RIFLE Date 1963 to produce different variants that Date 1970s Origin US include a carbine, an assault rifle Origin UK Barrel 20in (50.8cm) (shown here), and several Barrel 19\u00bein (50cm) Caliber 5.56 \u00d7 45mm NATO machine-gun configurations. Caliber 5.56 \u00d7 45mm NATO Sterling produced this light automatic Vented housing rifle in the 1970s, by which time for gas cylinder the 5.56 \u00d7 45mm NATO round was becoming established as a standard cartridge.The Sterling gun featured a patent folding butt to improve the gun\u2019s portability. Flash hider Foresight Rate-of-fire selector Rear sight \u25b6 HECKLER AND KOCH G3A3 Flash hider Fixed polymer Rear sling stock attachment Date 1964 Carrying handle Detachable \u25c0 HECKLER AND KOCH G41 Origin Switzerland 20-round box Date 1981 Origin Germany Barrel 17\u00bein (45cm) magazine Barrel 17\u00bein (45cm) Caliber 5.56 \u00d7 45mm NATO Caliber 7.62 \u00d7 51mm NATO Safe, semi, Rear sling burst, and fully attachment The G41 was a rechambered version The G3 series of rifles was developed jointly automatic settings of Heckler and Koch\u2019s 7.62mm G3 by Heckler and Koch (see pp.256\u201357) and rifle.The G41 was designed to take Spanish design and development agency the 5.56 \u00d7 45mm NATO round and (CETME).The rifle\u2019s firing mechanism could be fitted with other NATO is an improvement on that found in standard features including a universal the German StG45 designed by Ludwig sight mount and magazine.The gun Vorgrimler, who worked on the G3.The wasn\u2019t much used by armed forces. designation G3A3 refers to the version fitted with a polymer stock. Flash hider Detachable High-impact 30-round box polymer butt magazine","244 \u2022 T H E M O D E R N E R A ( 1 9 4 5 \u2013 P R E S E N T D A Y ) TURNING POINT \u25b2 ASSAULT RIFLE An assault rifle is a short-barreled rifle, intended for ASSAULT RIFLES use by infantry, and capable of selective fire\u2014switching between semiautomatic and automatic modes. It Just as the breech-loading repeating rifle had brought about a chambers medium- and small-caliber cartridges with change in warfare following its introduction in the late 19th century, the short cases. It has a high-capacity magazine that can development of reliable self-loading military arms during the 1930s altered carry 20 or more rounds. Shown here is a 1954 tactics again\u2014now a single infantryman could deliver fire equivalent to a AK47, which fires 7.62 x 39mm cartridges. squad of 10 or 12. In 1944, the assault rifle magnified this effect almost 50-fold as it mimicked a machine-gun. Easy to use, an assault rifle allowed anyone to become an effective adversary, transforming warfare from a clash between trained armies on a battlefield to a contest between masses, often street-to-street or even house-to-house. Conflicts at the turn of the 20th century saw the self-loading arm or fired in bursts like a \u201cI created a weapon to defend the borders development of groundbreaking weaponry. machine-gun. Except for its barrel length, it of my motherland. It\u2019s not my fault that Firearms were modernized with the invention matched all the modern criteria for a weapon it\u2019s being used where it shouldn\u2019t be\u2026\u201d of the Maxim gun\u2014the first machine-gun (see to be deemed an assault rifle. However, the MIKHAIL KALASHNIKOV, pp.184\u201385)\u2014which spurred the refinement design was ahead of its time and was never SOVIET AK47 DESIGNER of automatic weapons technology at a furious adopted for production.The first mass-produced KEY FIGURE pace. Heavy machine-guns were followed by assault rifle was the German Sturmgewehr 44, Frank F. Burton medium- and light machine-guns, as armies or StG44 (see p.176). It was used extensively (1871\u20131939) felt need to provide groups of soldiers inWorldWar II on both the Eastern Frank F. Burton was the son of the famed civil engineer Col. James Henry Burton. He joined with portable, automatic firepower. and Western fronts and provided the the Winchester Repeating Arms Company as a designer in the 1890s. He designed his assault It was not until the invention and use German troops with an effective rifle in response to a need for a light automatic arm for observers in aircrafts prior to the of the assault rifle during WorldWar countermeasure to the Soviet introduction of synchronized machine-guns. II (1939\u201345) that this deadly submachine-gun, the PPSH-41 (see objective was fully achieved. p.208). Between 1945 and 1946, Soviet arms dealer Mikhail Kalashnikov designed EARLY EXPERIMENTS a modern assault rifle, and in 1947, he The precursor to the modern unveiled the AK47 (see pp.248\u201349). assault rifle\u2014Burton\u2019s automatic rifle of 1917\u2014had twin, \u25b2 5.56 x 45MM AND MODERN ASSAULT RIFLES 20-round magazines for 7.62 x 51MM CARTRIDGES The AK47 embodied all the use by a single rifleman. It To prevent heavy recoil, assault features typical of assault rifles; it chambered short-cased, rifles fire short-cased, small- had a short barrel, a high-capacity high-velocity cartridges and caliber or \u201cintermediate\u201d magazine, and full- and was a selective-fire weapon\u2014it cartridges (left) instead of semiautomatic fire controls. In the could be used as a single-shot, long-cased, large-caliber West, development of the assault rifle cartridges (right). BEFORE Prior to the development of the assault \u25cf SUBMACHINE-GUNS were intended to be an ideal rifle, concentrated fire in volume could only replacement for the machine-gun. In practice though, be delivered by machine-guns. Their long their reliance on pistol cartridges meant that they were medium-caliber rounds were capable of effective only at close range and were not able to fulfill accuracy at up to 3,000ft (900m). the functions of a multipurpose combat weapon. \u25cf SOME LIGHT MACHINE-GUNS, such as the BURTON'S 1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR), were intended AUTOMATIC RIFLE to replace heavy machine-guns for small groups of soldiers. However, they were heavy and unwieldy. \u25cf BURTON\u2019S AUTOMATIC RIFLE, designed in 1917, was the ancestor of assault rifles. It used a .345-caliber cartridge and was capable of selective fire. BROWNING AUTOMATIC RIFLE","T U R N I N G P O I N T A S S A U L T R I F L E S \u2022 245 rifle proceeded at a much slower pace. In 1956, trend in warfare in which irregular combatants \u25b2 THE VIETNAM WAR firearms designers Eugene Stoner and L. James (guerillas) and terrorists could hold out against The M16 was deployed for warfare in SouthVietnam Sullivan developed a small-caliber rifle for the well-trained armies. in 1965. Its ability to focus a large volume of fire on a Armalite company of the Netherlands.This target made it quite effective, especially at close quarters became the M16\u2014the US Army\u2019s standard The assault rifle has emerged as the main against enemy guerilla tactics. Seen here are US soldiers assault rifle.The US Army used it in the 1960s weapon in modern warfare\u2014from civil wars armed with M16s in a Vietnamese jungle. against NorthVietnamese Communist forces in Africa, to conflicts in the Middle East, to armed with the AK47 in theVietnamWar. local turf wars\u2014in the hands of militaries, AFTER terrorists, militias, and even child soldiers. The M16 was lighter, more accurate, and fired \u25cf THE \u201cBULLPUP\u201d CONFIGURATION (see more quickly than the AK47, but was prone to Modern assault rifles can provide accurate fire pp.250\u201351), as seen in the Famas F1 assault rifle, jamming in adverse conditions. However, it in volume at distances well in excess of 1,600ft served two purposes. It lessened a weapon\u2019s overall provided the US troops with a fitting response (500m). Short-cased, small-caliber cartridges length and placed the user totally in line with the to the unstoppable AK47 in a bloody jungle war. continue to be used. The assault rifle\u2019s deadly barrel, thus reducing the effects of recoil. combination of a light machine-gun\u2019s firepower THE AK47 AND ITS AFTERMATH and a machine-pistol\u2019s portability makes it a FAMAS F1 The AK47 was reliable in war conditions\u2014it popular weapon with untrained combatants. ASSAULT RIFLE continued to fire despite exposure to sand, water, and weather. Easy to maintain and \u25cf NEW PRODUCTION METHODS developed. \u25cf HIGH CASUALTIES have become the simple in design, its workings could be grasped With the incorporation of synthetic materials into norm of modern warfare with the use of in minutes and, even in untrained hands, it its construction, the modern assault rifle is far less the assault rifle. Its move from the battleground became a formidable weapon that changed likely to suffer a catastrophic failure of its components to the streets has triggered a debate about the rules of modern warfare. It demystified the due to stress and wear. its usage by nonmilitary personnel. gun and its usage for ordinary people, and gave untrained warriors the ability to wield \u25cf FIRE CONTROL MECHANISMS improved.This immense firepower. It brought about a new allowed modern assault rifles to fire a specific number of cartridges in a single burst, increasing accuracy and making the weapons deadlier than ever.","246 \u2022 T H E M O D E R N E R A ( 1 9 4 5 \u2013 P R E S E N T D A Y ) ASSAULT RIFLES Pressed steel (1947\u201375) receiver cover If there is a quintessential firearm of the Wooden butt Pistol grip Trigger post-WorldWar II period, it is the assault rifle (see pp.244\u201345). Chambered for short-case, \u25b2 AK47 TYPE 56S The iconic AK47 assault rifle has undergone a Detachable medium- or small-caliber cartridges, the assault Date 1957 number of changes over the years and has been 30-round rifle is distinguished by its high-capacity magazine Origin China widely copied.ThisType 56S civilian variant, magazine and ability to function in semi- or full-automatic Barrel 16\u00bcin (41.4cm) produced in China, fires only in semiautomatic modes.Though the idea was first developed at the Caliber 7.62 \u00d7 39mm mode. Initially it had a milled steel receiver, but end of WorldWar I, the assault rifle was technically was later adopted for use with a stamped version. born in 1949 when the AK47 (see pp.248\u201349), designed by Soviet arms engineer Mikhail Kalashnikov, entered service. Now the weapon of choice on five continents, the assault rifle has become so well-known that even its blacked-out profile is immediately recognized by most people. Fire control Rear sight lever \u25b2 AK74 30-round detachable Date 1974 box magazine Origin Soviet Union Barrel 16\u00bcin (41.5cm) Tubular butt Caliber 5.45 \u00d7 39mm folds to the left In 1974, the design of the Kalashnikov (AK47) was modified to improve its performance.The caliber was reduced to 5.45mm, stamped components replaced those that had been previously machined from solid steel, and a plastic magazine was substituted for the earlier metal version. This resulted in a much lighter rifle that still had the reliability of its predecessor. FULL VIEW","A S S A U L T R I F L E S ( 1 9 4 7 \u2013 7 5 ) \u2022 247 Ventilated housing for gas cylinder Bayonet lug Foresight Though superficially similar to the famous AK47, and later the AKM, the Czech CZ58 \u25bc CZ58 is structurally quite different. Designed by Date 1959 Jiri Cermak, it uses a short-stroke piston Origin Czechoslovakia to cycle the action. Its gas port has a Barrel 15\u00bdin (39cm) fixed diameter and so the full force of Caliber 7.62 \u00d7 39mm combustion gases is directed toward the piston, driving it rearward.This gun is readily identifiable by its wood- impregnated plastic butt. Wood-impregnated plastic butt Gas Flash hider regulator Magazine Detachable 30-round catch magazine Gas cylinder Foresight Flash hider Cocking handle Gas cylinder Bipod Flash hider mounting point Magazine \u25b2 GALIL ASSAULT RIFLE catch Date 1972 The Galil is based on the Finnish Valmet Origin Israel M62, itself derived from the AK47. It Detachable 35-round Barrel 18in (46cm) replaced the FN Fal (see p.242), which box magazine Caliber 5.56 \u00d7 45mm NATO was used extensively by the Israeli Army. The Galil was much shorter and weighed less. It was also unaffected by dust or sand, an issue with the FN Fal.The Galil comes in a number of variants that include standard assault rifle, light machine-gun, and sharpshooter rifle configurations.","248 \u2022 T H E M O D E R N E R A ( 1 9 4 5 \u2013 P R E S E N T D A Y ) S H OWC A S E A K47 Designed by Mikhail Kalashnikov between 1945 and 1946, the Avtomat Kalashnikova 47, or AK47, is the most famous assault rifle in the world.This gun has a gas-operated auto-loading mechanism (see p.305). Its low number of moving parts has helped greatly to reduce its production costs.The AK47 has been adopted by more than 100 armies throughout the world, and its variants are built in more than 30 countries. Amazingly, more than 75 million units have been produced. \u25b6 MAINSPRING Ribbed lug Mainspring The mainspring fits inside the rear portion of Steel cross pin the bolt carrier (the bolt carrier is covered by the Rear mainspring action cover).The mainspring\u2019s rear is fitted with guide a ribbed lug that serves as a locking piece for the action cover.When the lug is pushed, the Piston mainspring moves slightly forward so that the cover can be removed. Bolt carrier Locking lug Cartridge case extractor pulls out spent case from chamber Stem \u25c0 BOLT Noteworthy for its extremely simple Bolt holder \u25b2 BOLT CARRIER AND PISTON construction, the bolt has a narrow rear stem The bolt carrier houses the bolt.The piston that fits into the lower part of the bolt carrier. is attached to the bolt carrier by a steel cross Safety lever pivot Safety lever Its head is machined with locking lugs, which pin.The piston fits in the gas cylinder.When slightly retard the rearward movement of the the gun is fired, some of the exploding gases bolt to avoid loss of combustion gas pressure are vented toward the piston, pushing it (and consequent bullet velocity) before the rearward, driving the bolt backward, bullet leaves the muzzle. and extracting the spent cartridge. Trigger Magazine- release catch Butt \u25b2 RECEIVER AND BARREL ASSEMBLY Although initial experiments with pressed steel receivers failed, renewed attempts at producing such receivers afterWorldWar II Pistol grip were successful and these became standard production items. The distinctive feature of the barrel is its chromium-plated bore; the chromium minimizes wear and protects against corrosion.The hand guard serves to protect the user\u2019s hand from the heat dissipated through the barrel and gas cylinder."]
Search
Read the Text Version
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
- 13
- 14
- 15
- 16
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
- 24
- 25
- 26
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 32
- 33
- 34
- 35
- 36
- 37
- 38
- 39
- 40
- 41
- 42
- 43
- 44
- 45
- 46
- 47
- 48
- 49
- 50
- 51
- 52
- 53
- 54
- 55
- 56
- 57
- 58
- 59
- 60
- 61
- 62
- 63
- 64
- 65
- 66
- 67
- 68
- 69
- 70
- 71
- 72
- 73
- 74
- 75
- 76
- 77
- 78
- 79
- 80
- 81
- 82
- 83
- 84
- 85
- 86
- 87
- 88
- 89
- 90
- 91
- 92
- 93
- 94
- 95
- 96
- 97
- 98
- 99
- 100
- 101
- 102
- 103
- 104
- 105
- 106
- 107
- 108
- 109
- 110
- 111
- 112
- 113
- 114
- 115
- 116
- 117
- 118
- 119
- 120
- 121
- 122
- 123
- 124
- 125
- 126
- 127
- 128
- 129
- 130
- 131
- 132
- 133
- 134
- 135
- 136
- 137
- 138
- 139
- 140
- 141
- 142
- 143
- 144
- 145
- 146
- 147
- 148
- 149
- 150
- 151
- 152
- 153
- 154
- 155
- 156
- 157
- 158
- 159
- 160
- 161
- 162
- 163
- 164
- 165
- 166
- 167
- 168
- 169
- 170
- 171
- 172
- 173
- 174
- 175
- 176
- 177
- 178
- 179
- 180
- 181
- 182
- 183
- 184
- 185
- 186
- 187
- 188
- 189
- 190
- 191
- 192
- 193
- 194
- 195
- 196
- 197
- 198
- 199
- 200
- 201
- 202
- 203
- 204
- 205
- 206
- 207
- 208
- 209
- 210
- 211
- 212
- 213
- 214
- 215
- 216
- 217
- 218
- 219
- 220
- 221
- 222
- 223
- 224
- 225
- 226
- 227
- 228
- 229
- 230
- 231
- 232
- 233
- 234
- 235
- 236
- 237
- 238
- 239
- 240
- 241
- 242
- 243
- 244
- 245
- 246
- 247
- 248
- 249
- 250
- 251
- 252
- 253
- 254
- 255
- 256
- 257
- 258
- 259
- 260
- 261
- 262
- 263
- 264
- 265
- 266
- 267
- 268
- 269
- 270
- 271
- 272
- 273
- 274
- 275
- 276
- 277
- 278
- 279
- 280
- 281
- 282
- 283
- 284
- 285
- 286
- 287
- 288
- 289
- 290
- 291
- 292
- 293
- 294
- 295
- 296
- 297
- 298
- 299
- 300
- 301
- 302
- 303
- 304
- 305
- 306
- 307
- 308
- 309
- 310
- 311
- 312
- 313
- 314
- 315
- 316
- 317
- 318
- 319
- 320
- 321
- 322
