FG 42 1

FG 42

Fallschirmjägergewehr 42

Both early (top) and late-war (bottom) variants of the FG 42.Type •• Battle rifle

•• Light machine gun

Place of origin  Nazi Germany

Service historyIn service 1942–1945

Used by Nazi GermanyArgentina[1] (trial purposes)

Wars World War II

Production historyDesigner Louis Stange

Designed 1941–1942

Manufacturer Rheinmetall-Borsig (limited)Heinrich Krieghoff Waffenfabrik, L. O. Dietrich (limited)

Produced 1943–1945

Variants Early model (original Rheinmetall-Borsig design)Late model (Krieghoff revision)

SpecificationsWeight Ausführung "E": 4.2 kg (9.3 lb)

Ausführung "G": 4.95 kg (10.9 lb)

Length Ausführung "E": 945 mm (37.2 in)Ausführung "G": 975 mm (38.4 in)

Barrel length 500 mm (19.7 in)

Cartridge 7.92×57mm Mauser

Action Gas-operated, rotating bolt

Rate of fire Ausführung "E": ~900 rounds/minAusführung "G": ~750 rounds/min

Muzzle velocity 740 m/s (2,428 ft/s) (SmK bullet)

Effective range 500 m

Feed system 10 or 20-round detachable box magazine

Sights Iron sights (all models); flip-up front post and folding rear diopter sight; ZFG42 or ZF4 scope

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FG 42 2

The FG 42 (German: Fallschirmjägergewehr 42 or "paratrooper rifle 42") was a selective fire battle rifle producedin Nazi Germany during World War II. The weapon was developed specifically for the use with Fallschirmjägerairborne infantry in 1942 and was used in very limited numbers until the end of the war.It combined the characteristics and firepower of a light machine gun in a lightweight form no larger than thestandard-issue Kar 98k bolt-action rifle. Considered one of the most advanced weapon designs of World War II,[2][3]

the FG 42 influenced post-war small arms development and ultimately helped to shape the modern assault rifleconcept.[4]

History

A German Fallschirmjäger poses with his earlymodel FG 42 (Ausführung "C") in France, 1944.

The FG 42 was used by paratroopers of theFallschirmjägerlehrbattalion (Paratroopers'

Teaching Battalion to try out new equipment)during the daring raid to free Benito Mussolini in

September 1943.

At the time of the Battle of Crete (Operation Mercury), GermanFallschirmjäger were equipped with the same assortment of smallarms as the Heer, carrying only pistols and hand grenades on themduring airborne jumps, with submachine guns, rifles and crew-servedweapons stored separately in containers that were dropped from thewing of the exit craft. The German parachute harness, with a singlestrap attached to the body making the paratrooper land on his handsand knees in a forward roll, did not allow for heavier equipment suchas rifles and machine guns to be safely carried during jumps. At Crete,long-range rifle and machine gun fire from dug-in Commonwealthdefenders (largely New Zealanders from 5 Brigade's 22nd Battalion)inflicted heavy casualties upon the outgunned German paratroopers inthe early stages of battle as they attempted to retrieve their supportweapons from containers scattered all over the battlefield.[5] Theseearly combat experiences demonstrated that standard weapons werenot ideal for airborne operations.

Development

In 1941, the German Air Force (Luftwaffe), requested a selective firehand-held weapon for the paratroopers; Senior Staff Air SecretaryOssenbach at the GL/C Erprobungsstelle-6 (GL/C E-6—the LuftwaffeWeapons Development Branch at Tarnewitz near Lübeck) wasapproached informally to develop this special new weapon.[5] TheReich Air Ministry (Reichsluftfahrtministerium or RLM) sought todevelop a universal shoulder-fired automatic rifle that could replace thebolt-action rifle, submachine gun, and light machine gun in the airassault role.[2] The proposed weapon would also simplify logistics andprovide greater firepower to the individual paratrooper.

The RLM attempted to initiate a formal weapons development programthrough the Heereswaffenamt (the HWaA, or Army OrdnanceDepartment)—responsible for German small arms development—butconflicting priorities and friction with the Army (the HWaA dismissed

the undertaking as unrealistic and offered their G 41(W) semi-automatic rifle instead) led to an independent

development by the Luftwaffe. Plans were laid out to form a central authority for the new program at the Luftwaffe testing station at Tarnewitz. The engineers on staff had acquired considerable expertise developing lightweight

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FG 42 3

automatic weapons, having successfully converted the MG 15 aircraft machine gun to a ground configuration.[6]

However, due to the high casualties sustained by the paratroopers during Operation Mercury, Hitler changed hismind about the tactical importance of airborne assaults and the plans were terminated.[6] Nevertheless, LuftwaffeReichsmarschall Hermann Göring privately ordered the continuation of the project.[6]

The RLM went directly to German industry with its plans—the so-called LC-6 specification issued 14 December1941 mentioned amongst others that the weapon should not exceed 1,000 mm (39.4 in) in length, should not besignificantly heavier than the Kar 98k rifle, should be able to fire single shots from a closed bolt, provide fullyautomatic fire from an open bolt, feed from detachable 10 or 20-round magazines and be able to fire rifle grenades.Despite the introduction of the intermediate 7.9mm Kurz cartridge promoted by the Heer (developed for thepromising MP 43 assault rifle), the Luftwaffe favored the long-range potential of the standard 7.92×57mm Mauserrifle round and this caliber was one of the main design prerequisites.[2]

Prototypes

Six manufacturers were solicited for prototype designs: Gustloff-Werke, Mauser, Johannes Großfuß Metall- undLackierwarenfabrik, C.G. Hänel, Rheinmetall-Borsig and Heinrich Krieghoff Waffenfabrik.[2][6] Several contractswere awarded but only a few prototypes are known to have been submitted. Mauser offered a version of the MG 81(rejected due to excessive weight and its belt-fed operation)[7] while Krieghoff presented a rising-block prototype,which too was quickly dropped. A design credited to Rheinmetall-Borsig's Louis Stange of Sömmerda provedsatisfactory and underwent military trials conducted by the GL/C E-6 test station at Tarnewitz in mid-1942.[2] Thisearly prototype, known under the factory designation Gerät 450 ("device 450") or Ausführung "A" ("type A"), wasintended to be a pure sheet metal design, using pressed steel in the construction of the receiver, buttstock andcorrugated handguard. The proposed system of operation was modeled on that used in the World War I Lewis lightmachine gun, with a gas-operated turning bolt action geared to a spiral (clock-type) recoil spring.[8] The type "A"was never produced beyond model form, but the basic design layout was retained for further development.[9]

With the basic characteristics of the LC-6 accepted, a series of modifications followed. The revised Ausführung"B" replaced the sheet metal handguard with a resin-impregnated fiber type that provided protection against heatand a better grip when wet.[9]

These tests exposed several shortcomings, addressed by Stange in April 1942 with the LC-6/II prototype. Theprototype was then submitted to a series of endurance tests led by the HWA and further modified to increasefunctional reliability and durability, resulting in the final LC-6/III prototype variant that was ultimately acceptedinto production as the FG 42. Fifty rifles were fabricated by Rheinmetall-Borsig for evaluation purposes by the endof 1942.A pre-series batch of 50 rifles was produced in early 1943 and 6 examples were sent to GL/C E-6 for additionaltesting. Almost identical to the LC-6/III, these guns differ from later models by using a smooth sheet metal buttstockand an experimental muzzle brake. The weapons experienced serious malfunctions: one rifle suffered a catastrophicfailure after firing only 2,100 rounds, a soldier was injured when attempting to fire a rifle grenade and the pressedmetal buttstock would deform after launching only several rifle grenades.

ProductionSeveral other improvements were made before being authorized for large-scale production. The original Rheinmetall design used chrome-nickel steel heavily in many essential components, a strategic alloy in short supply. When the Luftwaffe was finally given permission to produce 3,000 rifles for combat trials, the material specifications were changed to accommodate the use of manganese steel as a substitute.[2] The Heinrich Krieghoff company of Suhl (authors of the previous unsuccessful LC-6 tender) was contracted to manufacture the FG 42 in limited quantity as Rheinmetall did not have the capacity to bring the FG 42 into serial production. The weapon was first used by commandos during Operation Eiche in 1943—the bold rescue of Benito Mussolini by Fallschirmjäger led by Otto

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FG 42 4

Skorzeny.The weapon system underwent continuous development. Its expedited development, remedial changes to the originaldesign and ever-changing Luftwaffe requirements resulted in myriad of variants.[2] Post-war literature typicallyidentifies three versions, however the Germans never recognized these as distinctive models; the "Model I", "ModelII" and "Model III" were never officially referenced and period documents simply refer the weapon as the "FG 42",and the reference was always made to the latest production model.[10]

BD 42

The BD 42/I is a semi-automatic copy of the early model FG 42 rifle and the BD 42/II is a semi-automatic copy ofthe late model both manufactured by HZA Kulmbach GmbH.

Design details

FG 42, known informally as the "early model" or"Model I". Characteristic of the early models wasthe bipod placement (hinged to the barrel collar in

front of the handguard), forged receiver, ribbedbuttstock and the sharply angled pistol grip.

German officers inspect and strip an FG 42 inDecember 1943

FG 42 grip (late war model)

General configuration/layout

The FG 42 was a select-fire air-cooled weapon and one of the first toincorporate the "straight-line" recoil configuration. This layout,combined with the side magazine, placed both the center of gravity andthe position of the shoulder stock nearly in line with the longitudinalaxis of the bore, a feature increasing controllability during burst orautomatic fire.[10] The operating system was derived from that used inthe successful Lewis light machine gun with a gas piston-actuatedturning bolt locking mechanism.[10] This system used pressurizedexhaust gases from the bore and channeled them through a port drilledin the barrel into a gas cylinder located under the barrel. The rapidbuild-up of propellant gases imparted rearward pressure on along-stroke piston, driving it backwards, while an extension of the boltcarrier interacted with a helical camming slot machined into the boltcarrier, converting this linear movement into an angular velocity andforcing the bolt into a rotary motion, clearing the locking juts andunlocking it near the end of the bolt carrier's travel. The weapon waslocked into battery by two lugs on the bolt head which recessed intoappropriate cavities machined into the receiver walls. Owing to itsmain intended use by paratroopers, the rear sight (which necessarilywas rather high due to the straight stock design) was a flip-upconstruction.[citation needed]

Receiver specifics and magazine feeding

The receiver was a sophisticated, machined alloy forging with themagazine housing placed on the left-hand side and the ejection port onthe right. The seemingly awkward placement of the magazine housing(horizontally to the side rather than directly beneath the receiver) allowed the bolt mechanism to extend into thebuttstock assembly, effectively reducing the overall length of the weapon as the magazine well did not interfere withthe location of the pistol grip. The pistol grip was integrated into the trigger group assembly, a separate housingcontaining the trigger mechanism and fire control components, and was formed from pressed sheet metal duringfabrication from two separate halves and then welded together.[10]

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The rifle fed from either a 10 or 20-round detachable box magazine.

FiringThe FG 42 fired in semi-automatic mode from a closed bolt, accomplished by delaying the release of the firing pin(mounted on the bolt carrier and released by the front sear notch) until after the trigger had been pressed; the shortlock time, and little movement in the action during firing translated into greater single-shot accuracy.[10] Whenoperating in the automatic mode, the sear mechanism was designed to fire from an open bolt by simultaneouslyreleasing both the bolt and bolt carrier. This had the advantage of preventing a phenomenon known as "cook off"where the heat of repeated rounds being fired caused a chambered round to overheat and prematurely ignite thepowder or primer. With automatic fire selected, the bolt would remain open between bursts to provide maximumcooling.[10] The rotating fire selector switch was situated in the trigger group, above the pistol grip on the right side.The change lever also served as the safety,[10] disabling the sear mechanism when engaged.

TestingThe FG 42 was intended to fill a key niche in Nazi Germany's arsenal and was produced only in small numbers. Itwas somewhat well received by paratroopers when tested, but it did have its drawbacks. The FG 42 had a 20, orsometimes 10, round magazine that was mounted on the left side of the rifle. Though a side-mounted magazine wascommon in submachine guns, the larger magazine with heavier ammunition of a full-powered rifle tended tounbalance the weapon. In addition, muzzle rise with automatic fire was substantial and controllable bursts weredifficult. This made full-automatic fire only marginally useful. The FG 42 used a fairly sophisticated muzzle devicethat did help with recoil and muzzle flash, but made blast and noise much greater than on other similar weapons. TheUS M14 rifle had similar problems and attempts were made to upgrade that rifle the same way with an in-line stockand muzzle device.

Influences/derivatives

T-44, a US-commissioned FG 42 prototypemodified for belt-feeding as a light machine gun

Some features, such as the details of the gas-operated bolt selectionprocess, were studied by US Army engineers after the war. These,along with some aspects of the MG42, are commonly reported to havebeen incorporated in the similarly troubled M60.

The American M41 Johnson LMG has many parallels with thecontemporary FG 42. Both had in-line stocks, fed from the left side,and both fired from the open bolt in automatic mode and closed bolt insemi-automatic mode. Despite these similarities, there is no evidencethat either weapon had any effect on the design of the other. As they were both seeking to solve similar problems, itis reasonable to expect that each weapon's respective engineers approached these problems similarly butindependently, unaware of the developments of their counterparts.

Last known derivatives of the FG 42 were the Sturmgewehr 52 and M60 machine gun.

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FG 42 6

Deployment

A Fallschirmjäger firing the early FG 42 in June1944

After approximately 2,000 FG 42s had been produced by Krieghoff,supplies of the manganese steel from which the receivers were forgedwere diverted to other needs; this meant a redesign was required to usestamped sheet metal in its place. Field reports were also requestingminor improvements, such as: relocating the bipod from the front ofthe handguard to the muzzle to reduce shot dispersion; changing thepistol grip angle to near vertical; enlarging the handguard and changingthe stock from stamped steel to wood to minimize overheating. Thesechanges, particularly the pistol grip change and the bipod relocation,are clearly visible on late-model FG 42s. Both models also had asimple flip-out spike bayonet under the barrel hidden by the bipod. In the later version the bayonet was shortenedfrom around 10 inches (250 mm) to around 6 inches (150 mm).

References[1][1] Julio S. Guzmán, Las Armas Modernas de Infantería, Abril de 1953[2] Senich, Peter: The German Assault Rifle: 1935–1945, page 239. Paladin Press, 1987.[3] Miller, David: Fighting Men of World War II: Axis Forces : Uniforms, Equipment and Weapons, page 104. Stackpole Books, 2007.[4] Bishop, Chris: The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II, page 217. Sterling Publishing, 2002.[5] Dugelby, Thomas B.: Death from Above—The German FG42 Paratroop Rifle, page 3. Collector Grade Publications, 2007.[6][6] Dugelby, 4[7][7] Dugelby, 5[8][8] Dugelby, 8[9][9] Dugelby, 9[10][10] Senich, 240

Bibliography• Bishop, Chris (2002). The Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War II. New York, NY: Sterling Publishing.

ISBN 1-58663-762-2.• Dugelby, Thomas B.; R. Blake Stevens (1990, 2007). Death from Above—The German FG42 Paratroop Rifle.

Cobourg, ON: Collector Grade Publications. ISBN 0-88935-429-4.• Miller, David (2007). Fighting Men of World War II: Axis Forces : Uniforms, Equipment and Weapons.

Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books. ISBN 978-0-8117-0277-5.• Senich, Peter (1987). The German Assault Rifle: 1935-1945. Boulder, CO: Paladin Press. ISBN 0-87364-400-X.

External links• Sport-Systeme Dittrich—civilian BD 42 replica (http:/ / www. ssd-weapon. com/ BD_42. 1. html)• SSD BD 42 instruction manual (http:/ / www. ssd-weapon. com/ engl_web/ downloads_en/ fg42_en/ Operating

instructions BD42 DIN A4. pdf)Wikipedia:Link rot• Modern Firearms (http:/ / world. guns. ru/ rifle/ rfl11-e. htm)• U.S WWII intelligence report on the FG 42 (http:/ / www. lonesentry. com/ articles/ fg42/ index. html)• Blow-forward FG 42 prototype (http:/ / i225. photobucket. com/ albums/ dd297/ armeiro1/ 6187-SAA1-1.

jpg?t=1262524338)

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File%3ABundesarchiv_Bild_101I-720-0344-09%2C_Frankreich%2C_Fallschirmj%C3%A4ger_mit_Fallschirmj%C3%A4gergewehr.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Manganesehttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Standard_Book_Numberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:BookSources/1-58663-762-2http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Standard_Book_Numberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:BookSources/0-88935-429-4http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Standard_Book_Numberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:BookSources/978-0-8117-0277-5http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_Standard_Book_Numberhttp://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:BookSources/0-87364-400-Xhttp://www.ssd-weapon.com/BD_42.1.htmlhttp://www.ssd-weapon.com/engl_web/downloads_en/fg42_en/Operating%20instructions%20BD42%20DIN%20A4.pdfhttp://www.ssd-weapon.com/engl_web/downloads_en/fg42_en/Operating%20instructions%20BD42%20DIN%20A4.pdfhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Link_rothttp://world.guns.ru/rifle/rfl11-e.htmhttp://www.lonesentry.com/articles/fg42/index.htmlhttp://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/armeiro1/6187-SAA1-1.jpg?t=1262524338http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd297/armeiro1/6187-SAA1-1.jpg?t=1262524338

Article Sources and Contributors 7

Article Sources and ContributorsFG 42  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=542105970  Contributors: **mech**, 5infBrig, Achang1, Adnan Rahman, Aldis90, Ansh666, Asams10, Avatar9n, Bartleby,BeBoldInEdits, Ben 1993, Bender235, BloodyFox, Boris Barowski, CasbahBoy, CeeWhy2, Celarnor, ChewyLSB, Chris the speller, Cmdrjameson, Colonies Chris, Courcelles, Cprompt,DTanner, DanMP5, Daniel Quinlan, Deathbunny, Den fjättrade ankan, Denniss, Deon Steyn, DexDor, Diagraph01, Dingo, Doc9871, DroneZone, Duncan Grieve, Dutchguy, E Wing,Ecthelion83, Edward, Egfrith, Ekeb, EoGuy, Ergbert, Fallschirmjägergewehr 42, Ferkelparade, Gene Nygaard, Georgewilliamherbert, Get It, Gewhere, GraemeLeggett, GreenGourd, GregorB,Greyengine5, Gunnai, Habap, Harizotoh9, Hauptmann, Hohum, Hornsignal, Identification01, Irish Duck, Jamesonellis, JidGom, Jniemenmaa, JustSomePics, Kaelri, Kalmbach, Kelly Martin,Kevinalewis, Khazar2, Knihu, KnowledgeOfSelf, Koalorka, Kross, Kyle1278, LWF, Legaiaflame, LiDaobing, Like tears in rain, Luckyfox, MFIreland, Magus732, Mailer diablo, Mentifisto,Mike McGregor (Can), Myself0101, Nemo5576, NuclearWarfare, Nukes4Tots, Oberiko, OldakQuill, Omkin, Ose\fio, Pandora85, Parsecboy, Phil1988, PigFlu Oink, Postcello, PranksterTurtle,Quickload, R'n'B, RainbowOfLight, RattusMaximus, Raul654, RedWolf, Riddley, Robert1947, RottweilerCS, Sahfhhdehfgdsagsd, Sakkura, Scienceinc., Sebastian R., Sforgue, Sidar, Silverxxx,Skrunyak, Smoothie1, Some guy, Strongbow, Sun Creator, Supersquid, Surv1v4l1st, Sus scrofa, Synthetik, Tomtom9041, Trinjac, Tyrenius, Ugen64, Uiyoa, Veritas Panther, VonMacht,Wallenska, Warlord, Wik, WikipedianMarlith, Wikiuser100, Wilhelm Wiesel, Wolfsangel, WotWeiller, Xiloynaha, ZeroOne, 161 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and ContributorsImage:FG42.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:FG42.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Original uploader was Fab-pe at pt.wikipedia.File:Flag of German Reich (1935–1945).svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Flag_of_German_Reich_(1935–1945).svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: FornaxImage:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-720-0344-11, Frankreich, Fallschirmjäger mit FJG 42 in Stellung.jpg  Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-720-0344-11,_Frankreich,_Fallschirmjäger_mit_FJG_42_in_Stellung.jpg  License: Creative CommonsAttribution-Sharealike 3.0 Germany  Contributors: Burts, Manxruler, Martin H., 1 anonymous editsFile:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-567-1503A-01, Gran Sasso, Fallschirmjäger vor Lastensegler.jpg  Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-567-1503A-01,_Gran_Sasso,_Fallschirmjäger_vor_Lastensegler.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike3.0 Germany  Contributors: Denniss, G.dallorto, Koalorka1, Martin H., Mogelzahn, Nukes4Tots, Roland zhFile:FG-42 Rifle.png  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:FG-42_Rifle.png  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 3.0  Contributors: User:TrinjacFile:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-567-1503E-15, San Felice, Inspektion von Fallschirmtruppen.jpg  Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-567-1503E-15,_San_Felice,_Inspektion_von_Fallschirmtruppen.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike3.0 Germany  Contributors: M62, Martin H.File:FG42 Base Borden Military Museum 1.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:FG42_Base_Borden_Military_Museum_1.jpg  License: Creative Commons Zero Contributors: User:JustSomePicsFile:T44.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:T44.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: Unknown. Original uploader was Koalorka at en.wikipediaFile:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-720-0344-09, Frankreich, Fallschirmjäger mit Fallschirmjägergewehr.jpg  Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_101I-720-0344-09,_Frankreich,_Fallschirmjäger_mit_Fallschirmjägergewehr.jpg  License: Creative CommonsAttribution-Sharealike 3.0 Germany  Contributors: Artur Andrzej, Burts, Fallschirmjäger, Manxruler, Martin H., Noclador, Tryphon

LicenseCreative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported//creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

FG 42HistoryDevelopmentPrototypes

ProductionBD 42

Design detailsGeneral configuration/layoutReceiver specifics and magazine feedingFiringTestingInfluences/derivatives

DeploymentReferencesBibliographyExternal links

License