Historical Document · 1943
The US Military Intelligence Service's 25 May 1943 survey of German infantry weapons. The MG 42 dive quotes sections 12 and 13 (M.G. 34 and M.G. 42, pp. 58–94); the Luger P08 dive uses its pistol section (pp. 3–10) for the wartime American description of the P08.
REGRADED UNCLASSIFIED By DIR. 5200. 1 AUTHfRlTY OF DOD BY WFr 2I MILITARY INTELLIGENCE SERVICE WAR DEPARTMENT SPECIAL SERIES No. 14 WASHINGTON, May 25, 1943 MIS 461 NOTICE 1 Publication of Special Series is for the purpose of providing officers with reasonably confirmed information from official antd other reliable sources. This issue has been prepared with the assistance and collaboration of the Ordnance Intelligence Unit, Technical Division, Office of the Chief of Ordnance. 2. Nondivisional units are being supplied with copies on a basis similar to the approved distribution for divisional conmmands. as follows: INFANTRY DIVISION Div Ilq Ren Tr Sig Co Engr Bn Med Bn QM Co Hq Inf Regt, 6 each Inf Bnl, 7 eachl FHq Div Arty FA Bn, 7 each CAVALRY S 2 2 7 7 7 IX 16:, 8 2S -150 I)IVISION Div ITq Ord Co Sig Tr Rcn Sq Engr Sq Med Sq QMI Sq IIq Ca- Brig. : each Cav Regt, 20 each Elq l)iv \rty PIFABnl, 7 each AIRiMORED 8 2 2 7 7 7 7 t; 90 : 21 -150 I)IVISION Div 11q Ren Bn Engr Bn Med Bn Mainit Bn Sup Bn DI)irvTn I( Arlnd Regt, 25 e:ch FA Bn, 7 each Inf llegt 11 7 7 7 7 7 S 50 21 25 150 In order to meet the spcitic requnest of appropriate headqul(arters, or in order to collserve shipplilg space, the distriulltionl of any particular issue of Special Series may be Inoditied froln the standard. I)istribution to air units is being made by the Assistant (Chief of Air Staff, Intelligelce, Arily Air Forces. 3. Each command should circulate available copies among its officers. Reproduction within the militalry service is permiiitted provided (I) the source is stated, (2) the classification is not changed, andl (3) the infornlltion is safeguarded. 4. Readers are invited to comment on the use that tlley are nmaking of this publication and to forward suggestions for future issues. Such e orrespondlence nay be addressed directly to the I)issemnination Unit, Military Intelligence Service, War Department, Washington, D. C. Other publications of the Military Intelligeince Service include: Tactical and Technical Trends (biweekly); Intelligence Bulletin (monthly); filitary Reports on UTlited Nations (monthly). lRequests for additional copies of publications of the Military Intelligence Service should be forwarded throlgh chlannels for approval. UNCLASSIFIED US ARMY WAR COdLLEq rfAM 0 a DnAAr Da (v2e CONTENTS Page Section I. INTRODUCTION .--------------------.---------------- II. PISTOLS, RIFLES, AND GRENADES-----.--------1. 1 -.. 3 a. General -----------------------------. b. Hlow to Identify___ ---------------------c. Characteristics -------------------------d. How to Operate ------------------------e. Ammunition ------..-------------------f. Maintenance -..-----.----------------g. Accessories .------------------ --- -- --.. 2. 3 LUGER PISTOL---------------------------- WALTHER PISTOL 3 3 4 5 8 9 10 .------------------------------ 10 a. General ---------.-----.- ----------b. How to Identify .-----.--------------c. Characteristics--------------------------d. How to Operate ----------------------.. e. Ammunition ---.------------------------ 10 10 10 12 14 f. Maintenance...-----.------------------ 14 g. Accessories - .----. -------... ..------ 3. SUBMACHINE GUN (M.P. 38 AND M.P. 40) -------a. G eneral ------------------------------- 15 15 15 b. How to Identify ------------------------. 16 c. Characteristics ------------------------16 d. How to Operate ..---------------- ------17 e. Ammunition -------.------------------.19 f. Maintenance .--------------------------20 g. Accessories -------------.----.--------21 4. MAUSER KAR. 98K RIFLE ---------------------- 21 a. General --------------------------------b. How to Identify ------------------c. Characteristics ------------------------d. How to Operate -------------------------e. Ammunition ---------------------------- 21 22 22 23 .25 f. Maintenance ---------------------------- 25 g. Accessories-_ _---------_ --........ (1) General--.----------------- ---.. 26 26 (2) Grenade launcher8 and sights .--.----- niI 27 CONTENTS IV Section II. PISTOLS, RIFLES, AND GRENADES-Continued. 4. MAUSER KAR. 98K RIFLE-Continued. (3) Grenades- -......... (a) tIigh-explosive grenade (Gewehr Sprenggranate, G. Sprgr.) ----(b) Armor-piercing grenade (Gewehr Panzergranate, G. Pzgr.) (c) Practice projectile (Gewehr Sprenggranate, Ubungsmunition, G. Sprgr., Ub.) ---------------(d) Cartridgeand packing---------- _ (e) Range -----------------------5. PZ.B. 39 (ANTITANK RIFLE) -------------------a. General .--.---............---b. How to Identify ..------------------ ----c. Characteristics ------------- ----------d. How to Operate --------------------e. Ammunition --------------------------f. Maintenance ----------------------g. Accessories .................... 6. HAND GRENADES -___--__--__________________-- _ Page 28 28 29 33 33 33 34 34 34 35 36 38 38 39 40 7. STICK HAND GRENADE, MODEL 24 (STIELHAND- GRANATE 4) __________________________ ---a. How to Identify ------------------b. Characteristics ------------c. How to Operate _----------_------d. M ethod of Carrying --------------------e. Use as a Booby Trap ------------------8. STICK HAND GRENADE, MODEL PH 40 40 41 41 43 43 39 (STIEL- HANDGRANATE PH 39) ............. 45 a. How to Identify .---------------------45 b. Characteristics -----------------_--45 c. How to Operate ----------------------45 d. Method of Carrying ------------------46 e. Use as a Booby Trap -------------------47 9. SMOKE HAND GRENADE, MODEL 34 (NEBEL- HANDGRA NA TE 34) -------------------- 47 CONTENTS V Section II. PISTOLS, RIFLES, AND GRENADES--Continued. 10. EGG-TYPE HAND GRENADE, MODEL 39 Page (EIER- HANDGRANATE 39) a. How to Identify -..----------------------b. Characteristics --------------------------c. How to Operate -------------------------------------------d. Method of Carrying e. Use as a Booby Trap ---._.......... 11. SPECIAL USES OF STICK GRENADES___ III. MACHINE GUNS AND MORTARS -----------------12. M.G. 34 -----------...a. General-----..-b. How to Identify --------------C. Characteristics d. How to Operate .- ..-------(1) Safety --------(2) To load and fire -------.. ...... (3) Sights ..(4) Immediate action ------..----(5) To unload (6) To change barrels ------(7) Tripod mount --------.e. Ammunition ------f. Maintenance -------------g. Accessories ------------. 13. M.G. 42 ----------- - - - - - -a. General --------b. How to Identify -----------c. Characteristics --------d. How to Operate ---------e. Ammunition ------------f. Maintenance ------------.-.---. g. Accessories ------- 14. 5-CM LIGHT MORTAR, MODEL 36 .---a. General -....... b. How to Identify ---------c. Characteristics -----------d. How to Operate -----------e. Ammunition---------------..---- -- .,. f. Maintenance --------------- 47 47 47 48 49 49 50 53 53 53 54 56 60 60 61 64 67 .72 73 74 78 80 82 83 83 84 85 88 93 93 .....94 95 .95 95 95 97 101 101 VI CONTENTS Section III. MACHINE GUNS AND MORTARS-Continued. -----------a. General ----------_------------b. How to Identify ------------.--.---- -----c. Characteristics ------------d. How to Operate ------------------- - --- -- e. Ammunition ---------------------- ----------f. Maintenance ------------..---- 15. 8-CM HEAVY MORTAR, MODEL 34 -------- IV. ANTITANK GUNS AND INFANTRY HOWITZERS_ 16. 3.7-CM PAK a. General ----b. Table of Characteristics c. How to Operate d. Ammunition ----e. Maintenance - ... f. Carriage -.... . 17. 5-CM PAK a. General... b. Characteristics c. How to Operate. d. Ammunition e. Maintenance f. Carriage --- -- - - - ...-.- ... --- 19. - 18. 7.5-CM LIGHT INFANTRY HOWITZER a. General b. Characteristics .. c. How to Operate d. Ammunition e. Maintenance . f. Carriage - - - -----.-.. .- - - - ----------- 15-CM HEAVY INFANTRY HOWITZER_----- a. General ----- .--b. Table of Characteristics ----c. How to Operate d. Ammunition ---- e. Maintenance .---f. Carriage --------- ------ -- -- -- -- -- - Page 102 102 104 104 105 108 109 113 113 113 114 114 118 119 121 123 123 124 125 130 130 135 136 1 6 137 137 143 145 143 149 149 151 151 157 159 159 CONTENTS VII Page Section V. AMMUNITION ----------------------------- 20. INTRODUCTION 21. CALIBERS _ ..- ---............ ... - - -- 161 .... 161 __.-.......... -_ __ 162 161 ------------------------------- 22. LABELS . - a. General_ . .. _ .-__ ........... 162 b. Color of Labels -------------1___-__-162 c. Special Marks on Labels ----------_ _-----_ 162 d. Special Labels .-............. _. 163 e. Method of Reading Labels -----------_--164 23. BASE MARKINGS .-.24. BELTED AMMUNITION - -- - 25. POSSIBLE DANGERS- -___________-____.. 26. STANDARD PISTOL -_-_-- - _....- 172 172 _--------- 172 ---------------------- AND SUBMACHINE-GUN TION --...................... AMMUNI- _______ _._ 173 . a. Pist. Patr. 08, Pistr. Patr. 08 fiir M.P., or Pist. Patr. 9 mm .............. 173 b. Pist. Patr. 08 S.m.E_ . .. 27. RIFLE AND MACHINE-GUN AMMUNITION (7.92-MM)_ 173 174 a. General .-.. _....... 174 b. Patr.s.S ...................... 174 c. Patr.S.m.K ..................... _..... 174 d. Patr.S.m.K.L'Spur .. .......... 174 e. Patr. S.m.K. (H) --------.-._--. 175 f. Patr.l.S ,-......-..........176 g. Patr.s.S.L'Spur ...... -.... h. Patr.S.m.E... 176 i. Patr.P.m.K --- j. B.Patr28. STANDARD ANTITANK 176 -- ,. ......- MORTAR AMMUNITION 177 RIFLE AMMUNITION-------. - a. Introduction b. Patr. 318 or Patr. 318 S.ni.K 29. .. . b. 8-cm Wgr. 34, Wgr.Z. 38 . c. 8-cm Wgr. 84, Nb.Wgr.Z. 38 -------------. OF PISTOL, RIFLE, MORTAR AMMUNITION MACHINE-GUN, ................. 178 178 ............. 179 .............................. a. 5-cm Wgr. 36, Wgr.Z. 38 ----------- 30. CHART .......... 176 179 -- 179 - 180 181 AND 182 VI. GLOSSARY OF GERMAN TERMS .------------------ 185 VII. GERMAN ABBREVIATIONS ------------------ 187 . VJI Figure CONTENTS ILLUSTRATIONS Page xII 1. Armament and organization of German infantry regiment --2. Luger pistol and magazine -__ ________..____.. _______ - -. 4 3. Cross section of Luger pistol, showing action of toggle joint... .6 4. Close-up of Luger pistol to show operation of extractor -----7 5. Method of using German sights -------------------------8 6. Walther pistol------------------.-------11 7. Diagrammatic sketch showing trigger action of Walther pistol__ 13 8. Two views of M.P. 40, showing skeleton shoulder stock folded, and open --------------....-----16 9. M .P. 40 in action ------------------ --------------------18 10. Method of removing receiver of MI.P. 40 from barrel and from magazine housing . ...................................... 20 11. Mauser K ar. 98K rifle --------------------------.---22 12. Cross section of magazine, trigger, and bolt mechanism of Mauser Kar. 98K rifle ...................... 24 13. Mauser Kar. 98K rifle with grenade launchers and sights . ...28 14. Grenade launcher, showing method of unscrewing it to aid in cleaning ------------------------------29 15. Method of inserting rifle grenade -.------------29 16. Rifle grenade launcher and grenade firing pistol (very light type) --- -- - --__ - -- -- -___- - - - -- - - - - - 30 17. Pistol grenade being breech-loaded ----------------------_ .. 30 18. Three types of grenade projectiles: (i) pistol grenade; () rifle grenade, with percussion detonator fuze; (i) rifle grenade, with hollow charge -----.....-------..--------- 31 19. Method of unscrewing base of rifle grenade and thereby using friction fuze - ...---------------- - -.-----31 20. Special projectile 361 for signal pistol (WVurfk6rper 861 fuir Leuchtpistole)_ _----------- .--. -.- . ...... 32 21. Pz.B. 39 (antitank rifle) .. _ . ... ._._.. 34 22. Overhead view of Pz.B. 39, illustrating cutout folding shoulder stock ............ 35 23. Pz.B. 39 in position on edge of road . .. 37 24. Close-up of breech of Pz.B. 39...........-........ 39 25. Sketch of Stielhandgranate 24 (stick hand grenade, model 24), showing outside and cross section of grenade and fuze .. 42 26. Method of carrying and packing stick-type grenades . ..... 44 27. Sketch of Eierhandgranate39 (egg-type hand grenade, model 39) 49 28. Cross section of shaving-stick grenade -----------------_ --50 29. Concentrated charge (geballte Ladung) made from several stick grenades ---------.---------------------------51 CONTENTS Figure IX Page 52 -___-_- ___.------_ 30. () Stick grenade antipersonnel mine ----52 ) Stick grenade cluster mine--- .-..............--- - --------52 ) Cross section of pressure igniter 35 (DrYckzunder 35, D.Z. 35)_ 52 -- __-31. Stick grenades used as Bangalore torpedo ----54 ----32. M.G. 34 in action without bipod or tripod -----------55 33. Two views of M.G. 34 on bipod mount --- _----------_--55 34. M.G. 34 on tripod mount -- -----------------------------56 _ 35. M.G. 34 on tripod mount, and with antiaircraft adapter -- -57 ------36. M.G. 34 on antiaircraft mount, using drum feed 37. M.G. 34 in action on tripod mount, with antiaircraft and tele59 scopic sights --------------------------------38. M.G. 34 in action on boat, showing protective shield and drum 59 -feed -----------------39. Sketch showing method of inserting loaded belt in feedway of 61 - ..-- --. M.G. 34 -.. 62 ................ 40. Close-up of 75-round saddle-type drum 64 .-----41. German method of firing M.G. 34 from bipod mount 65 42. Rear sight of MI.G. 34, showing relation between yards and meters_ 66 --------------43. Telescopic sight on M.G. 34 .--------67 ---44. Telescopic sight for M.G. 34 (rear view) _---------73 -------------45. Removal of barrel of M.G. 34-----.--.-----75 .-----------------46. Rear view of tripod mount for M.G. 34 78 47. Method of joining metallic-link ammunition belt ---------81 48. Cross section of trigger, recoil, and feed mechanism of M.G. 34-84 49. M.G. 42 ----------------------------------------------. 86 50. M.G. 42 with feed cover raised to show feed mechanism -----92 51. M.G. 42, showing method of operating barrel extension ------97 -------------------------------52. Left side of 5-cm mortar 98 --53. Right side of 5-cm mortar -------------------------102 --------------'----54. 8-cm mortar, model 34, in action 103 ---55. Right view of 8-cm mortar, model 34 -----------------105 ----56. Left view of 8-cm mortar, model 34 -------------...- 107 57. Laying 8-cm heavy mortar for direction during training ----- _ 114 - -- ----58. 3.7-cm Pak 115 .------------.......-------59. 3.7-cm Pak in action 116 60. Close-up of rear of S.7-cm Pak ----------------------61. Breech mechanism of 3.7-cm Pak (viewed from top rear) -117 119 .-. ...62. Stick bomb for use with S.7-cm Pak 63. Carriage of 3.7-cm Pak, showing traversing and elevating mech122 ..-.-.------------..- -. ... anisms 123 ....--------- --- ----64. -cnm Pak 38 .... ... . . 125 ...------------65. 5-cm Pak 38 from rear 126 -66. Breech of 5-cm Pak ---------------------- CONTENTS X Figure Page 67. Gunner's position on 5-cm Pak, showing traversing and elevating 127 ...............---......... .......... 131 _ _.-_________________.. .------- -132 -... 69. Breechblock of 5-cm Pak -----------------134 -________________________ 70. Barrel and breech of 5-cm P'k handwhecls ---..-. 68. Extractors of 5-cm Pak 138 71. 7.5-cm infantry howitzer in action .------------------139 _______________72. Breech of 7.5-cm infantry howitzer ....... 140 73. Breechblock and firing mechanism of 7.5-cm infantry howitzer__ .. ... 141 74. Firing mechanism parts of 7.5-cm infantry howitzer 142 75. 7.5-cm infantry howitzer in traveling position . __.._ ___-___-.. ...143 76. Sighting mechanism (side view) of 7.5-cm infantry howitzer77. Sighting mechanism of 7.5-cm infantry howitzer, showing 144 range-scale drum -------------145 .. 78. Manhandling 7.5-cm infantry howitzer 79. Panoramic sight (Rundblickfernrohr 16, Rbl.F. 16) used on 147 7.5-cm infantry howitzer ---- ------ ---- --- ---- ---- --149 80. 15-cm infantry howitzer in action ------------------------- _ 150 81. 15-cm infantry howitzer (rear view) -----------------------152 -------__--82. 15-cm infantry howitzer on self-propelled mount 154 83. Firing mechanism of 10.5-cm light field howitzer 18 (1.F.H. 18)__ 153 84. Breechblock of 10.5-cm light field howitzer 18 (l.F.H. 18) ----85. Breechblock (rear view) of 10.5-cm light field howitzer 18 155 (I.F.H. 18) 86-90. Special labels .- - - --- - 163, 164 91. Label for case of 1,500 rounds of heavy, pointed ball ammunition .----(Patronen s. S., Patronen schweres Spitzgeschoss) 92. Label for super armor-piercing bullet with tungsten carbide core (Patr. S.m.K.HI., Patronen Spitzgeschoss mit Stahlkern gehartet)_ 93. Label for 5 rounds of armor-piercing bullet (Patronen 318). 94. Label for armor-piercing incendiary bullet (Palr.P.m.K., Patronen ........... Phosphor mit Stahlkern) 95. Label for heavy, pointed ball ammunition (Patr.s.S., Patronen schweres Spitzgeschoss) 167 ..167 167 168 ........--- 96. Label for 1,500 rounds of heavy, pointed ball ammunition (Patr. _------. s.S., Patronen schweres Spitzgeschoss)__ _... -.... 97. Labels for steel-core, armor-piercing ammunition ( PatronenS. m.K., Patronen Spitzgeschoss mit Stahlkern) 166 ----- --.........--- 98. Label for 1,500 rounds of observation (explosive) bullets (B.... Patronen, Beobachtungsgeschoss Patronen) 99. Label for light, pointed ball ammunition (Patronen 1.S, Patronen leichtes Spitzgeschoss) ---------------------------------100. Label for model 08 pistol cartridges (Pistolenpatronen08)------ 168 169 170 170 171 CONTENTS S Xi Figure 101. Label for dummy, drill cartridges, model S (ExerzierpatronenS.)_ 102. Markings on base of German small-arms cartridge . 103. Heavy, pointed ball (Patronen schweres Spitzgeschoss)-104. Armor-piercing (Patronen Spitzgeschoss mit Stahlkern) -------105. Armor-piercing tracer (Patronen Spitzgeschoss mit Stahlkern rund Leuchtspur) . . .. .------------- ... 106. Super-armor-piercing with tungsten carbide core (Patronen Spitzgeschoss mit Stahlkern gehartet) .. ---.----------- ..- Page 171 ......... 172 175 175 175 177 107. Light ball, special practice (Patronen leichtes Spitzgechoss) ----177 108. Practice tracer (Patronen leichtes Spitzgeschoss mit Leuchtspur)-_ 177 109. Semi-armor-piercing (Patronen Spitzgeschoss mit Eisenkern)-- . 178 110. Armor-piercing incendiary (Patronen Phosphor mit Stahlkern)__ 178 111. Observation (explosive) bullet (Beabachtangsgeschoss Patronen)__ 178 112. Dummy cartridges (Exerzierpatronen)---------------------179 113. Blank cartridge (Platz-Patrone88) ..------.------180 114. Cross section of ball cartridge (scharfe Patrone S.) 180 115. 8-cm mortar shell ... 181 Graphic comparison of millimeters and inches-------- inside back cover TABLES 1. Overhead firing table (in yards) ----------_--------------76 2. Table of minimum clearance ................................ 77 3. Firing table, 8-cm heavy mortar, model 34 (German) -- 110 XII II .4' , LJ :S rn Al i LRI! 0 ,c u, a. o U in ._ 4- 0 O S C O "'3 Lnu E Q. c,0-r 04-. . E0 c o c D.' M 0E OC C.CI~ o 0" ff I- _. ';l E oa in ._3 CU- Section I. INTRODUCTION The principal Germnan infantry weapons are here described in order to enable U. S. troops to identify and, when the opportunity exists, to operate them.' No attempt has been made to provide all the details necessary for the maintenance and repair of the weapons described. Reports from observers, enemy documents, British publications, and other sources of information have been examined and compared in order to present in a compact and simple form all the pertinent information on the main German infantry weapons. Wherever possible, the exposition is based on an actual examination and operation of the weapon concerned. The equipment of the German Army in 1939, and its present equipment, reflect the settled policy of the German High Command to have the smallest variety of weapons consistent with meeting operational requirements. While emphasis has been maintained on developing weapons with a high degree of fighting efficiency, only selected types have been designed for mass production. '"Abandoned enemy materiel is promptly put into use to augment that of the pursuing force or to replace losses." FMTl100-5, "Field Service Regulations, Operations," par. 579, Changes No. 1 (Sept. 16, 1942). The processing of captured materiel for intelligence purposes is described in Training Circular No. 81 (Nov. 6, 1942), Section III. Training Circular No. 88 (Nov. 17, 1942) contains general instructions for the recovery and evacuation of arms and other equipment by combat units in the combat zone. 1 2 GERMAN INIFANTRY WEAPONS As the battle fronts have widened and the theaters of operations become more varied, the Germans have been forced to increase the variety of their weapons and to improve existing mathriel. In addition, they have augmented their supply of weapons by using captured materiel. No attempt has been made in the sections which follow to describe experimental or new German weapons which have not yet come into wide use. Nor is captured materiel used by the Germans considered. Therefore, on occasion U. S. troops may encounter German infantry equipped with some weapon not included in this study. However, a good knowledge of the standard German weapons will usually form a sound. basis for understanding the operation of the newer German weapons. For the armament and organization of the German infantry regiment, the principal unit which employs the weapons described herein, see figure 1. Section II. PISTOLS, RIFLES, AND GRENADES' 1. LUGER PISTOL a. General Since 1908 the Luger pistol has been an official German military side arm. Georg Luger of the DWM Arms Company 2 in Germany developed this weapon, known officially as Pistole 08, from the American Borchart pistol invented in 1893. The Luger is a well-balanced, accurate pistol. It imparts a high muzzle velocity to a small-caliber bullet, but develops only a relatively small amount of stopping power. Unlike the comparatively slow U. S. 45-caliber bullet, the Luger small-caliber bullet does not often lodge itself in the target and thereby impart its shocking power to that which it hits. With its high speed and small caliber it tends to pierce, inflicting a small, clean wound. When the Luger is kept clean, it functions well. However, the mechanism is rather exposed to dust and dirt. b. How to Identify The Luger may be identified readily by its exposed barrel, curved butt, and generally smooth lines. (See fig. 2.) 'The weapons discussed in this section may be operated by one man. 2 Deatsche Waffen- und Munitionsfabriken, Aktiengesellschaft. 3 4 GERMAN INFANTRY WEAPONS c. Characteristics (1) General.-The Luger is the most common side arm in use in the German Army. It is a semiautomatic, recoil-operated, 8-shot pistol with a caliber of 9 mm (.354 inch).3 It has a toggle-joint action very Knurled knobs Front sight Rear sight_ A/ Magaz ine----- Figure 2.-Luger pistol and magazine. similar to that of the Maxim machine gun. It is fed by an 8-round magazine that fits into the butt and is held by a magazine catch similar to that on the U. S. service automatic pistol (M1911 or M1911 Al Colt .45), and located in approximately the same relative position. aA Fcale of inches and millimeters is printed on the inside of the back cover to aid readers to know the exact length of these units. PISTOLS, RIFLES, AND GRENADES 5 (2) Table of characteristics.Principle of operation Caliber ----___----------Ammunition ---------- Recoil-operated. 9 mm (.354 inch). 9-mm Parabellum (German, British, Italian, or U. S. manufacture). 8 rounds. Capacity of magazine ---Sights: Front _----------------Inverted V blade. R ear ------------------- Open V notch, nonadjustable. 4.25 inches. Length of barrel__ -------1 pound 14 ounces. Weight (empty) ----Range: Effective -__------------25 yards. M aximum -----_------- 1,150 yards. Muzzle velocity ---_------ 1,040 feet per second. d. How to Operate (1) Safety.-The safety is on the left side of the receiver as you hold the pistol in firing. It is a lever pivoted at the lower end. When the safety lock is turned down and to the rear, the safety catch is on and the pistol will not fire. With the lock in this position, the German word gesichert ("made safe") is exposed. To release the safety, it is necessary to push the lever forward and up; the word gesichert will then be covered by the safety lever arm, and the pistol is ready to fire. (2) To load and fire.-A loaded magazine is inserted into the butt and shoved home until the magazine catch 524652°-43 2 6 GERMAN INFAŽNTRY WEAPONS clicks. This is similar to the operation used in loading the U. S. Colt .45. In order to move one of the cartridges forward into the chamber for firing, it is necessary to pull the toggle joint to the rear and then let it snap forward, in much Toggle joint- Barrel Breechblock Lips of magazine J \ - Rear pivot pin Hook-shoped link Recoil spring head Magazineo Figure 3.-Cross section of Luger pistol, showing action of toggle joint. the same fashion as is done with the U. S. Colt .45. With the thumb and forefinger of the left hand, grasp the knurled knobs on both sides of the toggle joint and draw the joint to the rear as far as it will go (see fig. 3). Then release the knobs, and let the breechblock snap forward. This operation will carry forward a cartridge from the lips of the magazine into the chamber. PISTOLS, RIFLES, AND GRENADES 7 The pistol should then be locked by moving the safety so as to expose the word gesichert. It is always possible to determine whether there is a cartridge in the chamber by feeling or noting the position of the extractor (see fig. 4). When there is a cartridge in the chamber, the front end of the extractor projects above the level of the top surface of the breechExtractor (indicating loaded chamber) Cover pate Cover-plate/. latch Figure 4.-Close-up of Luger pistol to show operation of extractor. block, exposing the word geladen ("loaded") on the left side of the extractor. If there is no cartridge in the chamber, the extractor is level with the top surface of the breechblock. (8) To unload.-First, press the magazine catch, allowing the magazine to drop out of the butt. Then, to extract any cartridge that may be in the chamber, grasp the knurled knobs of the toggle joint in the same manner as in loading. Pull the joint to the rear as far GERMAN INFANTRY WEAPONS 8 ® 1® Figure 5.-Method of using German sights. ((i) illustrates correct sight picture; ), firing high; (i), low and right; (®),low and right; (i), lower left; Q, low shot.) as it will come. This operation will eject any cartridge in the chamber. (4) Sights.-This pistol has an open V notch rear sight and an inverted V front sight. The sights should be aligned as in figure 5 O. e. Ammunition Rimless, straight-case ammunition is used. German ammunition boxes will read Pistolenpatronen08 ("pistol cartridges 08"). These should be distinguished from Exerzierpatronen 08 ("drill cartridges 08"). The bullets in these cartridges have coated steel jackets and lead cores. The edge of the primer of the ball cartridge is painted black. British- and U. S.-made 9-mm Parabellum ammunition will function well in this pistol; the German ammunition will of course give the best results. (See sec. V, p. 161, below.) PISTOLS, RIFLES, AND GRENADES 9 f. Maintenance (1) Oiling and cleaning.-This pistol requires the same type of care as the U. S. M1911 Colt .45 automatic. The cleaning and oiling is done in a similar manner. However, in desert countries, or in other places where dust is prevalent, oil should be used sparingly or not at all. (2) Stripping.-In order to disassemble the weapon, it is necessary to remove the magazine and empty the chamber as indicated in d (3), page 7, above. Press the muzzle against a clean, hard surface until the barrel has moved to the rear about a half inch. Then push the knurled section of the cover-plate latch downward and remove the cover plate. Turn the pistol upside down and slide the barrel and receiver forward and separate them. Punch out the rear pivot pin and remove the breechblock from the receiver. This amount of disassembly is sufficient for purposes of cleaning and oiling the pistol. (3) Assembly.-To reassemble the parts of the weapon, first put the breechblock and receiver together and replace the pivot pin. Slide the barrel and receiver back onto the frame, making sure that the hook-shaped link engages in the claws of the recoil-spring head. Push the barrel backward, using a piece of wood against the muzzle, and replace the cover plate. Turn the cover-plate latch until it catches in its locked position. 10 GERMAN INFANTRY WEAPONS g. Accessories There is a leather holster which carries extra ammunition in a separate magazine. This holster also contains a tool which can be used for disassembling the pistol and for loading the magazine. 2. WALTHER PISTOL a. General The Walther, officially called Pistole 38, is coming into more and more general use as a standard issue in the German Army. Eventually it may replace the Luger. Although the Walther lacks the stopping power of the U. S. M1911 Colt .45, it is nevertheless a handy weapon because of its double-action 4 feature and its good balance. b. How to Identify The Walther may be identified by(1) Horizontally grooved grips. (2) Outside hammer. (3) Marking ("P. 38") on the left side of the slide. (4) Safety on the left rear of the slide. (5) Lanyard hook on the left grip. (6) Double action. c. Characteristics (1) General.-The Walther is a recoil-operated pistol with a slide that moves directly to the rear (in this respect, like the U. S. M1911 Colt .45 and unlike The double-action feature enables the weapon to be fired simply by pressure on the trigger without cocking the hammer. The Walther is the only military pistol with this feature. 11 PISTOLS, RIFLES, AND GRENADES the Luger). The feed is by an 8-round magazine that fits into the pistol handle, but, unlike the U. S. M1911 Colt .45 and the Luger, the magazine catch is located Safety Slide Outside hammer Borrel / retaining pin Horizontally grooved grips / Slide stop Lanyard / hook Magazine catch - Figure 6.-Walther pistol. on the bottom rear of the butt and is moved to the rear to release the magazine. (See fig. 6.) (2) Table of characteristics.Principle of operation______ Short recoil-operated, double-action trigger mechanism. Caliber _ _---------------- 9-mm (.354 inch). Ammunition -___--___----9-mm Parabellum (German, British, Italian, oi U. S. maanufacCapacity of magazine_____ Sights: Front __--_-_-----Rear ______---- --- -- -- ture). 8 rounds. Inverted V blade. Open V notch, nonadjustable. 12 GE'RMAN INFANTRY Length of barrel -- WEAPON~S __ 4.75 inches. Weight: With loaded magazine . _-. 2 pounds 5.25 ounces. With empty magazine____ Range: Effective -----------Maximum _____ Muzzle velocity--____ 2 pounds 1.75 ounces. 25 yards. 1,150 yards. 1,040 feet per second. d. How to Operate (1) Safety.-The safety is a lever located at the left rear of the slide. In order to fire, thumb up the safety, uncovering the letter "F" (Feuer--"fire"). In order to lock the pistol, thumb down the safety uncovering the letter "S" (sicher-"safe"). To uncock the pistol, set the safety to the "safe" position. This permits the hammer to fall and at the same time locks the firing pin in its rearmost position. (See fig. 7.) The Walther has a device which enables a quick check to be made in order to determine whether or not there is a cartridge in the chamber. If there is a cartridge in the chamber, a small pin protrudes about a quarter of an inch from the back end of the slide. If the chamber is empty, this small pin will remain flush with the surface of the back end of the slide. This arrangement is particularly handy in the dark. (2) To load and fire.-(a) To load, "single action."-Put the safety on "fire." Insert a loaded magazine into the butt and shove it forward until the magazine catch holds it. Pull the slide back once and PISTOLS, RIFLES, AND GRENADES 13 let it snap forward. The pistol is now loaded and cocked. A pull on the trigger will fire the weapon. (b) To load, "alternate method."-Put the safety on "safe." Insert the loaded magazine and work the slide as described in d (1), on the opposite page. This pistol is now loaded but not cocked. When ready to Hammer catch Disconnector stud aent Sear lever Toe of hammer Trip leer Safety-catch axis pin Sear lever Figure 7.-Diagrammatic sketch showing trigger action of Walther pistol. fire, put the safety on "fire" and pull the trigger. As this pistol has a double action, the pull on the trigger will cock the hammer and then fire the round. After the first shot, the recoil of the slide will cock the hammer. (3) To unload.-Pull to the rear the magazine catch, located on the bottom rear of the butt, and the magazine will drop out. Work the slide back and forth several times to be sure that the chamber is emptied. 14 GERMAN INFANTRY WEAPONS e. Ammunition The following types of ammunition may be used in the Pistole 38: (1) German standard 9-mm Parabellum cartridge (which is used also in the Pistole 08). (2) British- and U. S.-manufactured 9-mm Parabellum ammunition for the Sten and Lanchester submachine guns. (3) Italian ammunition used in the Beretta submachine gun and 9-mm pistols (other than the cartridges used in the Beretta pistol, model 34, which will not function in the Pistole 38). Wherever possible, German-issue ammunition should be inserted in German pistols, which are "touchy" about the ammunition used. Italian pistol ammunition, model 38, is likely to cause stoppages in German 9-mm weapons. Care should also be taken so as not to mistake the dummy cartridges (Exerzierpatronen 08) used in drills for live ammunition. f. Maintenance (1) Stripping.-Insert an empty magazine in the pistol. Pull the slide back until the slide stop engages and holds the slide in the rear position. Turn the barrel retaining pin clockwise about three quarters of a turn. Remove the magazine, press down on the slide stop, and let the slide snap forward. Pull the trigger, and remove the slide and barrel from the receiver by pulling the slide forward. Unlock the slide from the barrel by pushing in on the locking-cam plunger and pulling down the locking cam. (2) Assembly.-Assemble in the reverse order, but be sure that the slide and barrel are locked together PISTOLS, RIFLES, AND GRENADES 15 before being assembled to the receiver. To insure this, pull out the locking-cam plunger and press the locking cam upward into its groove. The barrel and slide will remain locked together if the pistol is assembled upside down, but the ejector and the two levers of the safety mechanism must be pushed in so as to prevent them from catching on the rear end of the slide. (3) General care.-The type of care given the U. S. service pistol will keep the Pistole 38 in good working order. It should be cleaned and oiled frequently. In extremely sandy or dusty regions, oil should be used sparingly or not at all. g. Accessories A leather holster, spare magazines, and a magazine holder are issued with this weapon. 3. SUBMACHINE GUN 5 (M.P. 38 AND M.P. 40) a. General Although this weapon was originally designed for use by parachute troops, it can now be found in general use in all combat units of the German Army. The construction is simple, and both the M.P.6 38 and the more recent M.P. 40, which has been issued in large quantities, are reliable weapons. They fire from an open bolt, and the pressure in the barrel forces the bolt back in order to extract and eject the empty "A submachine gun shoots pistol ammunition; the ordinary machine gun shoots rifle ammunition. ' M.P. is an abbreviation for Maschinenpistole, literally "machine pistol." 16 GE'RMANL INFAlNTRY WEAPONS cartridge case. The spring then forces the bolt forward again, chambering and firing a new round. b. How to Identify The M.P. 38 and M.P. 40 may be identified by(1) Folding skeleton shoulder stock. (2) Absence of wood (these guns are all metal and plastic). (3) Fixed and folding, open rear sights. (4) Hooded front sight. (5) Marking ("M.P. 38" or "M.P. 40") on top of the receiver. (6) Corrugations on the receiver casing of the M.P'. 38; smooth surface on the receiver casing of the M.P. 40. c. Characteristics (1) General.-The M.P. 38 and M.P. 40 are simple blowback-operated submachine guns; they are magaMagazine well Skeleton shoulder stock / _, 2Magazine catch Magazine housing 0.MEEA --- Recoil-spring housing Thumb catch Safety notch Marking on top of receiver "M.P. 40" A Locking pin r/ Skeleton shoulder stock Figure 8.-Two views of M.P. 40, showing skeleton shoulder stock folded, and open. PISTOLS, RIFLES, AND GRENADES 17 zine-fed, air-cooled shoulder weapons which may also be fired from the hip. They are used for close work and are not effective at the longer ranges. They fire from an open bolt and deliver full-automatic fire only. Although the M.P. 40 is slightly lighter and has a slower rate of fire, both types are the same for all practical purposes. (See fig. 8.) (2) Table of characteristics.-Principle of operation Straight blowback, full-automatic fire only. Caliber ----- -- -- -- -- - 9 mm (.354 inch). Capacity of magazine______ 32 rounds in removable box magazine. Sights: Front ---- ---- ---- ---Inverted V blade, with cover. Rear: Fix ed _--------------Open V notch, sighted to 100 meters (109 yards). Folding --------------- Open V notch, sighted to 200 meters (219 yards). Length ------------------Over-all, with shoulder stock extended, 331/2 inches. With loaded magazine, 10 pounds Weight _-----------------7 ounces. Range: 200 yards. Effective __-------- ---M aximum -------------1,850 yards. 80 to 90 rounds per minute (in Rate of fire (practical) short bursts). d. Howto Operate (1) Safety.-The only safety on these guns is the notch marked "S" (sicher-"safe") at the butt end of the cut made for the operating handle in the receiver. 18 GERMAN INFANTRY WEAPONS To make the gun "safe," pull the operating handle back as far as it will go and then push it upward into the Figure 9.-M.P. 40 in action. (This photograph shows the manner of holding the pistol with the left hand when using the skeleton shoulder stock.) safety notch. This is not a positive safety, as a jump or a fall may disengage the operating handle from the safety notch and leave the gun ready to fire. PISTOLS, RIFLES, AND GRENADES 19 (2) To load and fire.-Press the thumb catch above the pistol grip in order to release the skeleton shoulder stock from its folded position. Snap the shoulder stock into extended position and unfold the butt plate. Pull the operating handle back and switch it into the safety notch. Insert a loaded magazine into the feedway on the under side of the receiver until the magazine catch engages. Disengage the operating handle from the safety notch; then aim,7 and squeeze the trigger. The magazine can serve as a grip while firing (but see fig. 9 for the German method of firing). (3) To unload.-Press the magazine catch and remove the magazine. Check the chamber to be sure that it is empty. After pressing the trigger, let the operating handle go forward slowly. e. Ammunition The ammunition used in these guns is the standard 9-mm Parabellum cartridge, used in all German pistols and submachine guns. This is a rimless, straight-case cartridge with a round-nose, jacketed bullet. The German nomenclature for this ammunition is Pistolenpatronen 08 ("pistol cartridges 08"). It comes in cases containing 4,160 rounds, packed in multiples of 16 rounds in car