CODE 03-040-943
NAME – StG 44
NAME (NATIVE) – Sturmgewehr 44 [Storm or Assault Rifle 44]
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN – Germany
DATE OF MANUFACTURE – 1944
CALIBER – 7.92×33 mm
OVERALL LENGTH – 94 cm (37 in)
BARREL LENGTH – 41.9 cm (16.5 in)
RIFLING (TYPE & TWIST) – 4 grooves, Right hand twist
LOAD – Full jacketed ball with iron core
BULLET DIAMETER – 8.23 mm (0.324 in)
BULLET WEIGHT – 8.19 g (126.4 grains)
MUZZLE VELOCITY – 685 m/s (2247 fps)
MUZZLE ENERGY – 1922 j (1417 ft/lb)
WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 4.56 kg (10 lb 1 oz)
WEIGHT (LOADED) – 5.50 kg (12 lb 2 oz) with 30 rounds Pist.Patr.43 SmE
SIGHTS – Open, Iron, Adjustable, Front sight- Inverted V blade, Rear sight- V-notch Tangent sight adjustable for range, Graduated from 100 to 800 meters (109 to 875 yards) in 100 meter (109 yard) increments
EFFECTIVE RANGE – 500 m (550 yards)
OPERATION – Gas
TYPE OF FIRE – Selective, semi and full automatic
RATE OF FIRE – 40 rpm Semi, 120 rpm full
CYCLIC ROF – 540 rpm
FEED DEVICE – 30 round removable box magazine, Double column, Double feed
FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 0.40 kg (14 oz)
FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (LOADED) – 0.94 kg (2 lb 1.2 oz) loaded with 30 rounds Pist.Patr.43 mit E
BASIC AMMUNITION LOAD – Six 30-round magazines (120 rounds)
LOAD WEIGHT – 5.46 kg (12 lb 0.6 oz)
MANUFACTURER – C. G. Haenel Waffen und Fahrradfabrik, Suhl, Germany (primary contractor)
STATUS – Obsolete
SERVICE – German military, found in irregular forces hands around the world after WWII.
StG 44 – This was the final name change of the production series that began with the MP 43. Directed by Hitler in official orders issued on 22 October, 1944, this name change was ordered at the same time as Hitler decreed that the StG 44 (Sturmgewehr 44) would become the standard Infantry rifle of the German military, replacing the KAR 98k. It was this name, Sturmgewehr [Storm Rifle] that became the term “Assault Rifle” as coined by Adolph Hitler himself. A machined steel bracket was welded to the right side of the receiver, behind the ejection port. The bracket was to be a base for the attachment of the Zielfernrohr 4-fach (Z. F. 4) telescopic sight which was also issued for the Gew 43/Kar 43 as well as the FG 42. Laterm in 1945, the “Vampier” ZG1229 Infrared night sighting system could also be mounted on the same bracket. StG specimens were produced that were of sufficient quality that they were issued as a standard rifle to some post-war East German police and security forces. This issue of the wartime weapons resulted in there being produced 7.92×33 mm ammunition with post-war headstamps. The StG 44 was produced up to the end of World War II. With over 400,00 weapons having been made.
