Weapons of WWII
German guns
Walther PP
The Walther PP series pistols are blowback-operated semi-automatic pistols.
They feature an exposed hammer, a double-action trigger mechanism, a single-column magazine, and a fixed barrel which also acts as the guide rod for the recoil spring. The series includes the Walther PP, PPK, PPK/S, and PPK/E.
They are manufactured by Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen in Germany, Manurhin in France following World War II, and then in the United States by Interarms in Alexandria, Virginia and currently Smith & Wesson. All production has been under license from Walther.
They feature an exposed hammer, a double-action trigger mechanism, a single-column magazine, and a fixed barrel which also acts as the guide rod for the recoil spring. The series includes the Walther PP, PPK, PPK/S, and PPK/E.
They are manufactured by Carl Walther GmbH Sportwaffen in Germany, Manurhin in France following World War II, and then in the United States by Interarms in Alexandria, Virginia and currently Smith & Wesson. All production has been under license from Walther.
Karabiner 98k
The Karabiner 98 Kurz (often abbreviated Kar98k, K98, or K98k) was a bolt-actionrifle adopted as the standard infantry rifle in 1935 by the German Wehrmacht, and was one of the final developments in the long line of Mauser military rifles.
The Karabiner 98k was derived from earlier rifles, namely the Mauser Standard modell and the Karabiner 98b, which in turn had both been developed from the Gewehr 98. Since the Karabiner 98k rifle was shorter than the earlier Karabiner 98b (the 98b was a carbine in name only, a version of Gewehr 98 long rifle with upgraded sights), it was given the designation Karabiner 98 Kurz, meaning "Carbine 98 Short". Just like its predecessor, the rifle was noted for its reliability, great accuracy and an effective range of up to 500 meters (547 yards) with iron sights.
The Karabiner 98k was derived from earlier rifles, namely the Mauser Standard modell and the Karabiner 98b, which in turn had both been developed from the Gewehr 98. Since the Karabiner 98k rifle was shorter than the earlier Karabiner 98b (the 98b was a carbine in name only, a version of Gewehr 98 long rifle with upgraded sights), it was given the designation Karabiner 98 Kurz, meaning "Carbine 98 Short". Just like its predecessor, the rifle was noted for its reliability, great accuracy and an effective range of up to 500 meters (547 yards) with iron sights.
STG 44
The StG 44 (Sturmgewehr 44 or "assault rifle model 1944") was an assault rifle developed in Nazi Germany during World War II and was the first of its kind to see major deployment, considered by many historians to be the first modern assault rifle. It is also known under the designations MP 43 and MP 44 (Maschinenpistole 43, Maschinenpistole 44 respectively), which denotes earlier development versions of the same weapon. MP 43, MP 44, and StG 44 were different designations for what was essentially the same rifle, with minor updates in production. The variety in nomenclatures resulted from the complicated bureaucracy in Nazi Germany. Developed from the Mkb 42(H) "machine carbine", the StG44 combined the characteristics of a carbine, submachine gun and automatic rifle. StG is an abbreviation of Sturmgewehr. The name was chosen for propaganda reasons and literally means "storm rifle" as in "to storm an enemy position" (i.e. "assault", leading to the modern terminology "assault rifle"). After the adoption of the StG 44, the English translation "assault rifle" became the accepted designation for this type of infantry small arm.
MG 34
The Maschinengewehr 34, or MG 34, was a German machine gun that was first produced and accepted into service in 1934, and first issued to units in 1935. It was an air-cooled machine gun firing the 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge.
However, it was also designed to perform both as a light machine gun and in heavier roles, as an early example of a general purpose machine gun. In the light-machine gun role, it was intended to be equipped with a bipod and 50-round ammunition belt contained in a drum-shaped magazine attached to the receiver. In the heavier role, it was mounted on a larger tripod and was belt-fed. In practice, the infantry relied mainly on belt-cartridge ammunition for the bipod version, functioning as a classic medium support infantry weapon.
However, it was also designed to perform both as a light machine gun and in heavier roles, as an early example of a general purpose machine gun. In the light-machine gun role, it was intended to be equipped with a bipod and 50-round ammunition belt contained in a drum-shaped magazine attached to the receiver. In the heavier role, it was mounted on a larger tripod and was belt-fed. In practice, the infantry relied mainly on belt-cartridge ammunition for the bipod version, functioning as a classic medium support infantry weapon.
Italian guns
FNAB-43
The FNAB-43 is an Italian designed and developed submachinegun manufactured from 1943 to 1944. The first prototype was built in 1942 and the 7,000 built by the FNA-B (Fabbrica Nazionale d'Armi di Brescia, "Brescia National Arms Factory", hence the name) were issued to German and Italian RSI (Repubblica Sociale Italiana) units fighting in Northern Italy. The FNAB-43 was an expensive weapon to manufacture as it used extensive milling and precision engineering in its manufacture.The FNAB-43 uses a delayed blowback system firing from the closed bolt position. The bolt is a two-piece unit with a pivoted lever interposed between bolt head and body. On firing the bolt head retracts and begins to rotate the lever who's base of which is against a lug in the body. This lever is pivoted to delay the opening movement to allow the bullet to leave the barrel. The breech pressure then drops before the lever has completed its rotation. The movement of the lever then presses the free end against the bolt body and accelerates the bolt's movement to the rear. The base of the lever then pulls clear of the lug and the whole bolt unit continues to recoil as one piece. On returning, the lever again engages the lug and pivots forward and in doing so removes a coupling which allows the firing pin to move only when the bolt is fully forward. This unusual and complicated system allows the rate of fire to be kept down to very practical 400 rpms without having to use a heavy bolt or strong spring.
Carcano
Carcano is the frequently used name for a series of Italianbolt-action military rifles and carbines. Introduced in 1891, this rifle was chambered for the rimless 6.5x52mm Mannlicher-Carcano Cartuccia Modello 1895 cartridge. It was developed by the chief technician Salvatore Carcano at the Turin Army Arsenal in 1890 and called the Model 91 (M91). Successively replacing the previous Vetterli-Vitali rifles and carbines in 10.35x47mmR, it was produced from 1892 to 1945. The M91 was used in both rifle and carbine form by most Italian troops during the First World War and by Italian and some German forces during Second World War. The rifle was also used during the Winter War by Finland, and again by regular and irregular forces in Syria, Tunisia, and Algeria during various postwar conflicts in those countries.
The Type I Carcano rifle was produced by Italy for the Japanese Empire prior to World War II. After the invasion of China, all Arisaka production was required for use of the Imperial Army, so the Imperial Navy contracted with Italy for this weapon in 1937. The Type I is based on the Type 38 rifle and utilizes a Carcano action, but retains the Arisaka/Mauser type 5-round box magazine. The Type I was utilized primarily by Japanese Imperial Naval Forces and was chambered for the Japanese 6.5x50mm Arisaka cartridge. Approximately 60,000 Type I rifles were produced by Italian arsenals for Japan.
The Type I Carcano rifle was produced by Italy for the Japanese Empire prior to World War II. After the invasion of China, all Arisaka production was required for use of the Imperial Army, so the Imperial Navy contracted with Italy for this weapon in 1937. The Type I is based on the Type 38 rifle and utilizes a Carcano action, but retains the Arisaka/Mauser type 5-round box magazine. The Type I was utilized primarily by Japanese Imperial Naval Forces and was chambered for the Japanese 6.5x50mm Arisaka cartridge. Approximately 60,000 Type I rifles were produced by Italian arsenals for Japan.
Beretta M1935
In the early 1930s, the Italian army was impressed by the Walther PP pistol, Beretta did not want to lose a big Italian military contract and designed the compact M1934 for the Italian army which accepted it in 1937. The M1935 is simply an M1934 modified to fire .32ACP ammunition. The M1935 is a single-action semi-automatic blowback pistol that fires the .32 ACP ammunition. It is made out of carbon steel with plastic grips. It is fitted with a manual safety and when the last shot has been fired the slide is retained open by the empty magazine. The magazine capacity is 8 rounds. As this pistol was built for the Italian army, all parts were interchangeable, which simplified maintenance and manufacturing: a first at the time.
Breda 30
The Fucile Mitragliatore Breda modello 30 was the standard light machine gun of the Italian army during World War II. The Breda 30 is widely regarded as a poor weapon. It had fragile clips, a low rate of fire, used the underpowered 6.5x52mm cartridge and was prone to jamming. It was magazine fed from the right side. The magazine was attached to the gun, and was loaded using brass or steel 20 round stripper clips. This weapon is interesting in that it fired from a closed bolt alongside using blowback for its action, and had a small lubricating device that sprayed oil on each cartridge as it entered the chamber. This system allowed the chamber and barrel to heat rapidly, which caused rounds to "cook off" (fire) before they were fully in the chamber. The oil from the lubrication also quickly picked up dust and debris, making the weapon highly prone to jamming during the North African Campaign.
Japanese guns
Arisaka type 38
The Arisaka Type 38 (Rifle, Meiji 38th Year) was the standard rifle issued to the Imperial Japanese infantry. The weapon had a high accuracy rate and proved very reliable in the adverse conditions found on the then-modern battlefield. War-time records indicate that some 3,400,000 were ultimately produced and the rifle saw active service with the United Kingdom, Thailand, Russia and China. The Type 38 was inducted into Imperial Japanese Service in 1905. The Type 38 rifle was a long implement and optimized to use the Type 30 bayonet. The rifle was 4 feet, 2 inches in length and became the longest service rifle in service during World War 2. The additional 20-inch long bayonet gave the Japanese soldier an advantage when bayonet fighting was required in close-quarters. However, the average Japanese infantryman stood at about 5 feet, 3 inches and thusly had difficulty handling such a long weapon. The inherently small stature of the Japanese soldier also required a smaller caliber round and less of a powder charge to contain recoil when the weapon was fired from the shoulder.
Type 97 20mm AT
The Empire of Japan tried to outdue all of her wartime counterparts with the introduction of the Type 97 anti-tank rifle. The system utilized a custom mammoth 20x124 Type 97 ammunition round which was a vast departure from the common 14mm types appearing with British, German and Soviet forces throughout World War 2. As ambitious as the weapon was, it suffered from being excessively heavy to tote around effectively on the battlefield and the recoil action was more than the traditional Japanese soldier was physically designed to handle. The Type 97 appeared for a time between 1939 and 1942. Early on, the system proved its worth against the lightly armored systems being fielded by the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific Theater. However, this advantage would drastically shift with the introduction of the heavier armored M4 Sherman types soon to follow.
Type 26 Revolver
The Type 26 or Model 26 "hammerless" revolver (二十六年式拳銃, Nijuuroku-nen-shiki kenjuu?) was the first modern pistol adopted by the Imperial Japanese Army. It was developed at the Koishikawa Arsenal and is named for its year of adoption in the Japanese dating system (the 26th year of the reign of the Meiji emperor, i.e., 1893). The revolver saw action in conflicts including the Russo-Japanese War, World War I and World War II.
Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun
The Type 97 Anti-tank rifle (九七式自動砲, Kyuunana-shiki jidouō) was a Japaneseanti-tank rifle used during the Second World War. It had an automatic action which gave it the high rate of fire. On the downside the recoil from the large round was very violent. The gun could be fitted with a protective shield pushing the total weight up to 68 kg (150 lb). The Ho-1 and Ho-3 automatic aircraft cannon were developed from the Type 97.
Armour penetration was 30mm at 350 metres and 20mm at 700 metres.
Armour penetration was 30mm at 350 metres and 20mm at 700 metres.