StG 44 Assault Rifle, Germany 1944

Description of the Product

The StG 44, or Sturmgewehr 1944, assault rifle was developed in Nazi Germany during World War II and is considered by most historians to be the world’s first assault rifle. It is also known as MP 43 and MP 44, which are earlier development versions of the same weapon with minor differences.

Hugo Schmeisser developed this first assault rifle based on the practical teachings of World War II. Heavy military rifles and submachine guns were used on the front, and a weapon that combined the good qualities of the two weapons was desired. The military rifle was heavy, large and fired only single bullets, but on the other hand it was very powerful and had a long range. In modern warfare, however, the adversary knew how to disguise and move in shelter, and the long range could not be exploited when almost all clashes took place at distances of less than 200m. Over shorter distances, on the other hand, an effective weapon did not give much of an advantage, and a lower impact force would have been sufficient. The submachine gun, on the other hand, was light to use and its rate of fire was very good compared to rifles. However, the submachine gun did not have sufficient range or accuracy, and more impact power was desired for the bullets. Thus, it was decided to make a new heavier submachine gun MP 43, which would be lighter and have more firepower than the rifle and which, on the other hand, would have a better range and impact power than the submachine gun. The new weapon would replace both rifles and submachine guns on the front.

StG arrived on the battlefield at the end of the war on the eastern front of Germany. The new type of weapon was helpful, but Germany had already virtually lost the war, and a new, better infantry weapon did not help the already sinking ship. However, the benefits of this new type of weapon were noticed, and immediately after the war the Soviet Union developed the AK-47, influenced by the StG 44 assault rifle, and the US developed the M16 assault rifle. Even the word assault rifle is a direct translation of the name Sturmgewehr.

StG 44 fired both repeat fire and single shots. Short 7.92 mm bullets were used, which were lighter and smaller than bullets from previous military rifles, but correspondingly flew faster. The range was effective up to 400 m. The biggest developmental step in this first assault rifle was the ability to shoot a controlled repeat fire.

This weapon was used after the Second World War e.g. in Eastern Europe until the 1980s, and in the territories the Soviet Union wanted to support, e.g., in North Vietnam in the hands of Vietcong. Today, this weapon is still in use e.g. in Somalia and in the Middle East in the Syrian conflict.

Comes with a leather shoulder strap.

• This gun is an exact replica of the original. The replica matches the original in size and weight. The mechanisms of the weapon are working. The weapon can be cocked and dry fired like a real one. The magazine is detachable. Due to the materials used, the mechanisms cannot withstand continuous cocking and firing for long periods.
• Genuine wood and cast metal has been used to make this replica weapon. Zamac differs from steel in many respects, so the structure of the gun does not withstand pressure, it cannot be used to fire bullets, nor can it be converted to a functional weapon by any means.
• Replica guns such as this do not require permits in Finland, nor in many other countries. However, since the gun looks real, it should not be carried in public.
• A replica gun is perfect for historical re-enactment, on a theater stage, in film productions, for collectors of historical memorabilia, and as decoration.
• Length: 93 cm
• Weight: 4,82 kg
• Manufacturer: Denix, Spain

Due to the nature of this item please read about shipping options/restrictions if ordering outside Finland.   –More information about international shipping-