The First Sturmgewehr: The MKb42(H)

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
  • All the best firearms history channels streaming to all major devices:
    weaponsandwar.tv
    The first iteration of the iconic German Sturmgewehr was developed by Haenel starting in 1938. It was a select-fire rifle chambered for the short 8x33mm cartridge, developed by the Polte company. It used a long-stroke gas piston and a tilting bolt patterned after the Czech ZB-26 light machine gun. What makes the MKb42(H) stand out from the later Sturmgewehr models is that it was an open-bolt design. The original design spec was concerned about preventing cook-offs, and so it required firing from an open bolt. This means a very simple fire control system, but it also made the rifle difficult to shoot accurately in semiautomatic.
    The first MKb42(H) prototype was finished in 1941, with 50 sample guns produced by late March 1942. A major trials was held inApril 1942, in which Hitler rejected the design (mostly, he disliked the smaller cartridge). Development was continued anyway, with a move to a closed-bolt system that would become the MP43/1 which was ready for its first testing in November 1942. The open-bolt 42(H) was put into production anyway, as a stopgap measure to provide some much-needed individual firepower to troops on the Eastern front. Serial production began in January 1943, and continued until September 1943. In total, 11,813 of the rifles were manufactured. They saw use in Russia until replaced by newer MP43 models, and represent the first combat use of the assault rifle concept.
    Video on the MKb42(W):
    • MKb-42(W) - The Sturmg...
    Did Hitler cancel the Sturmgewehr?
    • Did Hitler Cancel the ...
    utreon.com/c/f...
    / forgottenweapons
    www.floatplane....
    Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! shop.forgottenw...

КОМЕНТАРІ • 697

  • @connorwinter9257
    @connorwinter9257 2 місяці тому +455

    "and acting shocked when that happens." The subtle shade there. We haven't forgotten that guy Lol.

    • @anzaca1
      @anzaca1 2 місяці тому +5

      Who?

    • @GaryHamad
      @GaryHamad 2 місяці тому +5

      who?

    • @sthrich635
      @sthrich635 2 місяці тому +9

      The Forgotten guy

    • @TrinSpin
      @TrinSpin 2 місяці тому +1

      No clue who you mean. The guy who had the .50 cook off?

    • @ОлегКорнійчук-е1х
      @ОлегКорнійчук-е1х 2 місяці тому +16

      @@TrinSpin I think he meant an old video of a guy getting a cook off in his AR-15 after a couple of "click"s. He acts VERY surprised.

  • @MUCKLEECH
    @MUCKLEECH 2 місяці тому +283

    Thank you for revisiting this rifle. I think I speak for everyone else in saying that re-done videos like this are MORE THAN welcome!

  • @lloyd9846
    @lloyd9846 2 місяці тому +1068

    This thing absolutely shreds on Red Orchestra 2. You understandably become ridiculously overpowered when you have an assault rifle and every other player is forced to use bolt actions.

    • @christophersayers598
      @christophersayers598 2 місяці тому +46

      Video games are not real life

    • @Vin_San
      @Vin_San 2 місяці тому +393

      ​@@christophersayers598did he said that? He was talking about in game fact, not real life, don't be a jerk/anti video-game boomer

    • @Vin_San
      @Vin_San 2 місяці тому +17

      The SVT 40 isn't avaible on the Soviet side?

    • @acezabi
      @acezabi 2 місяці тому +129

      @@christophersayers598 Really? Wasnt aware.

    • @serpentlord285
      @serpentlord285 2 місяці тому +1

      ​@@christophersayers598Why do you have to tear the poor guy to shreds for sharing something interesting you douche

  • @Lustanda
    @Lustanda 2 місяці тому +260

    The stock and reciever connection just screams "HK". You see it in the G3 and MP5 and the like.

    • @kutter_ttl6786
      @kutter_ttl6786 2 місяці тому +20

      It certainly isn't a coincidence 15:47

    • @cosmicyoke
      @cosmicyoke 2 місяці тому +13

      They’re direct descendants of the StG rifles!!! StG45(M) specifically

    • @some-replies
      @some-replies Місяць тому

      @@kutter_ttl6786 I see it now

    • @MrFelix002
      @MrFelix002 25 днів тому

      Hk just screams stg 44

  • @mcorte2224
    @mcorte2224 2 місяці тому +332

    A completely unrelated comment, but i'm very thankful about how apolitical, consistent, and to the matter at hand this channel is. It is VERY refreshing and helps me disconect from the worlds noise.
    Greetings and warm thanks from Spain.

    • @jidk6565
      @jidk6565 2 місяці тому +20

      I think the only time he's dipped into politics is the rhodesian genocide guy he helped put out a book
      It's
      Actually a REALLY good track record with a single smudge
      I leaves everyone on either side of the aisle feeling pretty good about themselves watching it!

    • @tgirlshark
      @tgirlshark 2 місяці тому +3

      💀

    • @rpnvg
      @rpnvg 2 місяці тому +11

      @@jidk6565 Are you a Redditor?

    • @JohnDoe-vd4br
      @JohnDoe-vd4br 2 місяці тому +14

      I couldn't agree more, it's very relaxing and calming watching these videos.
      He still talks and acts like a normal human being.
      Apolitical, secular, entertaining and stays on topic. These videos provide a temporary escape from the world.

    • @tgirlshark
      @tgirlshark 2 місяці тому +8

      @@JohnDoe-vd4br "normal human being" the dogwhistles go crazy with this one 💀

  • @enricopaolocoronado2511
    @enricopaolocoronado2511 2 місяці тому +294

    Honestly like how the MKb42(H) looks compared to the later versions, mostly because of the gas tube being almost as long as the barrel.

    • @yamatokurusaki5790
      @yamatokurusaki5790 2 місяці тому +32

      It looks better

    • @mollymcallister1671
      @mollymcallister1671 2 місяці тому +15

      Indeed, I don't know what if anything the 'expansion chamber' lends to the operation of the gun but it does very-well balance-out the aesthetics very nicely.

    • @wahttehfuk
      @wahttehfuk 2 місяці тому +22

      Honestly my favorite version of it. It looks brutal, it looks like an ASSAULT rifle, it looks like it came off the factory floor begging to kill. It's such an iconic and insanely cool design.

    • @DruidTimer
      @DruidTimer 2 місяці тому +14

      The bayonet lug seals the deal. Battle rifles should have bayonet lugs, because you never know..

    • @yamatokurusaki5790
      @yamatokurusaki5790 2 місяці тому +1

      @DruidTimer Mkb42 (H) is not battle rifle

  • @alancranford3398
    @alancranford3398 2 місяці тому +46

    I learned something new today--1938 was the first prototypes. Thanks, Ian.

  • @hopewilliams6705
    @hopewilliams6705 2 місяці тому +205

    Damn PSA for getting our hopes up!

    • @smokeyplane3285
      @smokeyplane3285 2 місяці тому +37

      at least they were honest about their shortcomings

    • @ShutUpBubi
      @ShutUpBubi 2 місяці тому +17

      Shame on you blaming PSA for another companies f*ckups

    • @KinoTechUSA69
      @KinoTechUSA69 2 місяці тому

      It was always those hucksters at HMG, they've been selling lies for YEARS.

    • @adlerarmory8382
      @adlerarmory8382 2 місяці тому +7

      The USA subsidiary of SSD has some MKb42H parts.

    • @williamskora8920
      @williamskora8920 2 місяці тому +21

      Rather than trying to replicate the original in differing calibers and using differing mags, they should have just duplicated it in original calibers and completely original spec dimensions using original design mags.

  • @hoilst265
    @hoilst265 2 місяці тому +665

    It's not a tilting-block lockup - it's Haenel-retentive.

  • @RamBam3000
    @RamBam3000 2 місяці тому +49

    The OG pattern of grandfather of them all. Thanks for showing it.

  • @chefZaphod
    @chefZaphod 2 місяці тому +95

    Beautiful piece, very jealous of all the neat history you get to put your hands on.

  • @11Kralle
    @11Kralle 2 місяці тому +40

    Schmeißer ('schmeißen' means 'to chuck') will always by the most iconic name for a weapons-constructor.

    • @daedalus6433
      @daedalus6433 2 місяці тому +13

      Schneide's Futter und Saatgut (ehemals Schmeißer's)

  • @cbroz7492
    @cbroz7492 2 місяці тому +39

    .good dentist friend of mine here inSo FL has one..he bought it for(IIRC) &1500 in the late 70s or early 80s...Ive held it...dude is a HUGE collector of all things NFA...

  • @HellbirdIV
    @HellbirdIV 2 місяці тому +105

    The "two-barrel" look from the extended gas tube is so damn cool, especially compared to the shorter tubes used on the final design and AK-type designs.
    Basically peak Dieselpunk/Star Wars Blaster look.

    • @stuntmanmike37
      @stuntmanmike37 2 місяці тому +4

      Looks like an M1.

    • @NotACutie
      @NotACutie 2 місяці тому +7

      @@stuntmanmike37 in what shape or form does it resemble an M1

    • @stuntmanmike37
      @stuntmanmike37 2 місяці тому +3

      @@NotACutie From the hand guard forward. Have you ever seen an M1 Garand?

    • @jamarrchasingjoe3310
      @jamarrchasingjoe3310 2 місяці тому +2

      ​@@stuntmanmike37 I mean other than the fact that the M1 Garands gas cylinder is only a couple inches long, and is on the bottom of the barrel instead of the top, sure.

    • @AshleyPomeroy
      @AshleyPomeroy 2 місяці тому +4

      Imagine if Valve had written Half-Life as a Second World War game. This rifle would have had an alternate fire mode that shoots from both barrels at the same time.

  • @HE-162
    @HE-162 2 місяці тому +15

    The comment about the hand guard getting hot - anyone who’s had the good fortune to be able to spend some time shooting a sturmgewehr, more than just a quick range rental, knows just how hot that hand guard gets lol. Especially during the summer on a sunny day, after a mag or two it can start to get painfully hot. It’s like the one truly egregious ergonomic oversight made when designing the rifle. They’re such comfortable, intuitive, easy to handle and shoot, natural feeling guns…but my god do you need a glove sometimes if you’re putting one to work 😂
    Even just in semi, the thing gets hot. They sure are fun though. I’m very lucky to have a friend with one, and to be able to spend whole afternoons on a backyard range playing with it like it were a cheap 22 plinker. Being able to really spend an extended amount of time handling and shooting it really makes you appreciate just how revolutionary and progressive it was, and how well thought out and designed it was. Truly ahead of its time, and by no means an obsolete or dated platform today. Heavy, sure, but one could easily be modernized with a pic rail and hold its own against modern intermediate cartridge platforms. Truly deserves all the praise and admiration and influence attributed to it.

    • @liammeech3702
      @liammeech3702 Місяць тому

      I guess soldiers would use asbestos gloves, or wrap something round the barrel?

    • @HE-162
      @HE-162 Місяць тому +1

      @ not to my knowledge, guy probably just used normal gloves maybe?
      Pretty sure the statistics for ww2 firefights suggest most combat lasted only 2-3 minutes at a time, so it probably didn’t cause too many issues. When it does get truly hot, it’s not like it’s so hot it’s going to cause serious burns - it’s just hot enough to be very hard to hold. At least that’s been my experience shooting them. That might be different if you’re nearly ripping mags through it full auto, back to back. It may get hot enough to cause burns in that case but if you’re fighting and needing to rip through mags like that, your adrenaline is probably pumping enough that it doesn’t matter.
      It’s worth mentioning that while the hand guard gets scalding hot, you can just hold the mag well. That just gets warm, and is just fine to hold even when the hand guard is roasting. In my experience, holding the mag well or even the mag doesn’t seem to cause feeding issues using both original and quality repro mags.

    • @goldorthefish1394
      @goldorthefish1394 Місяць тому

      While it is a terrible oversight, im pretty sure the soldiers in russia appreciated that

    • @Gameprojordan
      @Gameprojordan 14 днів тому

      ​@@goldorthefish1394 lol oh yeah bro those Germans loved getting frostbite holding onto a freezing cold metal handguard

  • @chartreux1532
    @chartreux1532 2 місяці тому +102

    Gonna show this to my 104 Year old Grandfather who was given a STG44 in Autumn of 1944.
    He speaks fluent English and after WW2 was hired by the US Military to give Lectures in the US on his Experience against Soviet Partisans and Soviet Soldiers
    He's still amazed by the Fact that there are Americans like Ian who are this much into "anything German" as he says haha
    I told him a lot of Americans are into German Cars, Weapons and other Devices. But for some Reason he is skeptical of that
    Prost & Cheers from Berchtesgaden in the Bavarian Alps

    • @williamsovich8314
      @williamsovich8314 2 місяці тому +20

      I for one would love to hear his response/thoughts. Would be fun to see a video or even audio only response video of it. Plus his stories from every side of the war are disappearing daily from the few still around from back then.

    • @tominva4121
      @tominva4121 2 місяці тому +6

      I also would be thrilled to see a video of his response.

    • @localextremist2839
      @localextremist2839 2 місяці тому +1

      What did he say?

    • @HE-162
      @HE-162 2 місяці тому

      By chance was he in the battle of Berlin, or part of the 12.Armee/9.Armee?

    • @ahmedvawda1282
      @ahmedvawda1282 2 місяці тому

      Whaaaaaat arrrre youuuu doing in berchestgarten?????

  • @1111Tactical
    @1111Tactical 2 місяці тому +98

    Only knew about this gun from Red Orchestra 2.
    It was only added so that it would be historically accurate/possible to use a gun like this in maps set in battles that took place before 1944.
    I appreciated the historical detail to avoid anachronism
    The gas block being further up the barrel honestly makes it look cooler than the actual STG44

    • @utarefson9
      @utarefson9 2 місяці тому +18

      I still remember RO1 veterans making fun of the developers for including this. For good reason.

    • @WOLFkraut
      @WOLFkraut 2 місяці тому +13

      @@utarefson9 The Darkest Hour mod for RO1 (still being developed) has the MkB42(H) now, but even still, was very intentionally not added to Stalingrad maps. It's more of a very rare easter egg weapon. Including it in RO2 and making it an "unlockable" item there was a terrible decision.

    • @mr.stotruppen8724
      @mr.stotruppen8724 2 місяці тому +2

      RO2 had a lot of good design decisions but weapon progression was definitely not one of them

  • @lizzardwizard2000
    @lizzardwizard2000 2 місяці тому +31

    The history is amazing. I had no idea this was in development in the 30’s. Just like the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, except the P-38 was used effectively in WWII.

    • @justanothergunnerd8128
      @justanothergunnerd8128 2 місяці тому +8

      The StG44 was used effectively too, albeit in small numbers. Check out Hans Dieter Handrich's book - it is utterly amazing.

    • @DoktorBayerischeMotorenWerke
      @DoktorBayerischeMotorenWerke 2 місяці тому +4

      The P-38 was plagued with very serious problems.. I live near a P-38 training base and the surrounding hills are littered with P-38 crash sites... one even crashed into the local Woolworth's store.

    • @lizzardwizard2000
      @lizzardwizard2000 2 місяці тому

      @@DoktorBayerischeMotorenWerke what did the greatest fighter ace in America fly?

    • @kingwein89
      @kingwein89 2 місяці тому +1

      ​@@lizzardwizard2000effective for its range, I wouldn't call it a standout. Didn't fair all the well in Europe. Many aircraft performed well in specific theaters. Personally not afraid of the p38 in il2, poor agility at speed and energy retention, super easy to ID from a distance which is a massive disadvantage, id take a mustang or a p47 over the 38 in Europe any day

    • @ndenise3460
      @ndenise3460 2 місяці тому

      Never play.to your opponents strength. Did I Hong zoom and boomed, dive out of the sun, unit one of two and use kinetic energy to climb out of reach, and then set up for another attack.

  • @latinojackson9694
    @latinojackson9694 2 місяці тому +40

    wood for stock?: absolutely!
    wood for pistol grip?: no problem!
    wood for handguard?: absolutely not, are you crazy?!

    • @bagen3268
      @bagen3268 2 місяці тому +1

      Or even slap some bakelite on it? Neverrrrr

  • @Hibernicus1968
    @Hibernicus1968 2 місяці тому +260

    In all these videos that Ian has been done at Morphy's, the OCD part of me is always irritatingly distracted by that M60 in the rack, and wishing he would turn around and push that left bipod leg into the fully retracted position to match the other one.

    • @jaggedcashew
      @jaggedcashew 2 місяці тому +33

      Now I won't unsee that!

    • @gunman11
      @gunman11 2 місяці тому +5

      😅

    • @highlandoutsider
      @highlandoutsider 2 місяці тому +14

      Oh great, thanks for sharing 😐 never noticed that, so glad you pointed it out, good job 😒👍😭

    • @Mygg_Jeager
      @Mygg_Jeager 2 місяці тому +7

      SAME LMAO

    • @Dante_S550_Turbo
      @Dante_S550_Turbo 2 місяці тому +11

      oh i hate you, now i can't unsee that

  • @ericmitchell985
    @ericmitchell985 2 місяці тому +55

    I know it's utterly pointless, but the faux gas tube running all the way to the muzzle looks so much cooler than the STG44's freestanding front sight.

  • @prdubi
    @prdubi 2 місяці тому +19

    I had the pleasure and privilege of firing one from a private collector while in Arizona.
    It was interesting, but he only had some sort of customized ammo for it made by a company. It was having feeding issues while firing it. My feeling is that his ammo was weak due to being exposed to the environment. Ammo was stored in an outside barn like building. His magazines felt weak also. His was amnesty registered. I helped him get brand new PPU ammo for it and you are very correct about the handguards. IT. GOT.HOT. very quickly. Gorgeous looking gun. Gotta give the Germans style points for that. Thanks for the video.

  • @trycoldman2358
    @trycoldman2358 2 місяці тому +6

    Bridges of Druzhina be hitting different with MkB42

  • @n990
    @n990 2 місяці тому +24

    Handled one in the vault at Aberdeen PG with J. Ellis and under the watchful eye of Dr. Atwater… in 98? Did some light table photos of it and some others. Good times.

    • @carlosspicyweiner7865
      @carlosspicyweiner7865 2 місяці тому +6

      Going to APG was on of my favorite trips as a boy. Guns and tanks: What more could an 8 year old want?! 😊

  • @sootmann
    @sootmann 2 місяці тому +1

    Great video, as always. I really appreciate how good your subtitles are.

  • @bulukacarlos4751
    @bulukacarlos4751 2 місяці тому +30

    1938!!!! I didn´t know. Greetings from Argentine Patagonia.

    • @davefellhoelter1343
      @davefellhoelter1343 2 місяці тому +10

      just imagine if the machine would have backed this 100%? from the start.
      the money wasted on rockets, rail guns, jets? would never equal the potential of this system to cost, impact rato.

    • @davidschaadt3460
      @davidschaadt3460 2 місяці тому

      🌍🌎🌏🏆🪖

  • @3gunslingers
    @3gunslingers 2 місяці тому +9

    Why Hitler "disliked" the Sturmgewehr. (Or rather the new cartridge):
    Up until pretty late in the war the Wehrmacht didn't view itself as part of an economic system. They were soldiers after all, not bean counters.
    Hitler had a skewed (because of his racial ideas), but often better understanding of the economic and logistical situation he had maneuvered his Reich into than the Wehrmacht. This is still often overlooked.
    Imagine this: Spring 1942. The Wehrmacht is mostly infantry. The entire _idea_ of infantry in the Wehrmacht is centered around the 10 man squad with K98, which itself is centered around the MG. Both weapons use the same cartridge.
    In the dire winter of 1941/42 there was precious little ammo in the east. Rifle Soldiers had strict orders to only take out a single bullet from the belt of their squad machine gun belt _if_ a valuable target presented itself.
    With this tactic the Wehrmacht had been barely able to hold it together. Logistics were stretched to the max. But it worked out.
    Now some weapon manufactures invite you to a demonstration of a gun with a totally now cartridge. Absolutely no commonality to any other weapon in the arsenal.
    The very idea of the current 10 men MG squad falls apart. The one saving grace for the Wehrmacht in the east would vanish.
    You would think those people were pulling a joke on you.

    • @walmartian422
      @walmartian422 24 дні тому

      Well
      That and coupled with the fact that they already had a fucked up logistical system where you had like 10 different factories manufacturing parts for the same vehicles. they also kept coming up with more and more ineffectual wunderwaffe after a while this is just exhausting especially when the soviets are winning by mass producing uncomplicated and cheap equipment.

  • @VaterOrlaag
    @VaterOrlaag 2 місяці тому +154

    Blurry Germany sure had some cool guns.

    • @chromastrophe
      @chromastrophe 2 місяці тому +34

      and uniforms

    • @davidh5903
      @davidh5903 2 місяці тому +2

      Ah, but who can remember

    • @Moondog66602
      @Moondog66602 2 місяці тому +10

      And literally nothing else.

    • @Morbacounet
      @Morbacounet 2 місяці тому +10

      @@VaterOrlaag Mustache guy had terrible taste in guns.

    • @OberGefreiterZ
      @OberGefreiterZ 2 місяці тому +6

      @@chromastrophe please dont think german uniforms were designed by hugo boss, at that time they were just a little company and one of many manufacturers of the uniforms, but NOT the designer

  • @brandonking9780
    @brandonking9780 2 місяці тому +4

    I love the STG but I’ve always had a thing for the Mkb42H, it’s just so cool

  • @simplyminded3529
    @simplyminded3529 2 місяці тому +4

    Enlisted peaked my interested in guns like these. The models that led to their final design. Cool stuff.

  • @OGPatriot03
    @OGPatriot03 Місяць тому

    Something I'll always appreciate about Ian is that he always puts the link in the description when he says he will. Seems like most youtubers completely neglect to give us even that much respect..

    • @tiortedrootsky
      @tiortedrootsky Місяць тому

      I think i was duped by Ian at least one time.

  • @sthrich635
    @sthrich635 2 місяці тому +32

    It was a StG44 that was the best firearm for the German infantrymen, without ammo it was nothing more than scrap metal.
    Which is why the 8mm Kurz made, and in a way, broke the German Sturmgewehr. The new rounds was the heart of the weapon, yet obviously the Germans had zero reserve of such, unlike 8mm Mauser Rifle or 9mm which was produced since WW1 and had ample reserve. Providing a completely new round for frontline infantry use was an enormous industrial task - Italy and Japan both tried to replace their rifle rounds with more powerful calibers, only to discover the difficulties in replacing sheer amount of rounds they stockpile for decades in just a few years, and when the war started they were stuck midway, complicating logistics with two different rifle rounds and Italy tried to went back years worth of effort and issuing back older rifles.
    The German leadership clearly realized such problems and Hitler put a lower priority on the rifle program since the new ammo production and reserve were far from ready in 1942, especially existing industries had to supply massive amount of 8mm Mauser for MG (the Kar98k (which StG44 would replace) was seen as support weapon for MG42/34 and only use small share of 8mm Mauser) and could not be spared. Adopting the StG44 early on was simply not an option for German armies and industries at that time.
    Producing tens of thousands StG in 1943 that would only receive sufficient rounds in 1944 would be counter-productive and waste of valuable German industrial effort that could be spent on existing weapons that could be used immediately.
    As such German leadership allowed the 8mm Kurz production and logistics to gradually set up while in the meantime blocked the program on the army distribution level simply because the logistics were not ready yet.
    A popular myth that Hitler completely disregarded and halted the entire StG concept doesn't add up when one consider when the German leader first halted the program (before allegedly officers tried to "hide" it), the Mkb42, it was essentially 80% finalized product, with the MP43 next year being a more-or-less finalized, (aka it already finished development by then). Had he actually halted the program then Mkb42 wouldn't even existed in the first place.

    • @nospoon4799
      @nospoon4799 2 місяці тому

      😃

    • @brittakriep2938
      @brittakriep2938 2 місяці тому +1

      But some machines producing 8x57 IS could be used for 8x33, much measurements had been the same.

    • @sthrich635
      @sthrich635 2 місяці тому +7

      @@brittakriep2938 Except the 8x57 was German military's main rounds already, with high wartime demands, especially when considering the ammo consumption from German general purposes MG34/42.
      Just like how Germany kept using Panzer IV in 1945 despite having Panther already, or MG34 still in use by infantry despite MG42s, the strained German war industries meant little of existing 8x57 production could be handed over to speed up Kurz ammo production, and hence the need for German high command to suspend the Sturmgewehr rifle deployment to avoid the wasteful mis-match of rifle and ammo quantities.

    • @DruidTimer
      @DruidTimer 2 місяці тому +2

      @@brittakriep2938 they could have developed an entirely new cartridge, as the bullet is not the same bullet used in the standard 7.92x57 cartridge. They probably intended to use that bullet, but were stuck on the bullet diameter.
      Side note: Also, another historian (read this many years ago) noted that one of Hitler's real objections was the rifle being issued in too low quantities to make a difference on the battlefield, while also complicating logistics.

    • @davidschaadt3460
      @davidschaadt3460 2 місяці тому +1

      I had read that the Army was plagued by ammunition shortages until the end of the war.

  • @mufinsp0
    @mufinsp0 2 місяці тому +45

    Ian, when will you do a video on the Ag m/42?
    The WW2 semi auto nobody talks about

    • @ForgottenWeapons
      @ForgottenWeapons  2 місяці тому +70

      Not sure when they will post, but I have one filmed on the 42 and one of the 42B, plus a couple of experimental 7.62mm versions.

    • @yamatokurusaki5790
      @yamatokurusaki5790 2 місяці тому +4

      ​@@ForgottenWeapons oh what's that gun ?

    • @anter176
      @anter176 2 місяці тому +2

      @@ForgottenWeapons New video on the Ag m/42? awesome!

  • @motorosso3349
    @motorosso3349 2 місяці тому +4

    Thanks for an informative and fun video on the SG history.

  • @Roperfield
    @Roperfield 2 місяці тому +55

    I remember fighting like hell with this within the derelict apartment buildings of RO2. Good times

    • @utarefson9
      @utarefson9 2 місяці тому +1

      Man, RO2 was such a dissapointment. Red Orchestra 1 as well as its mods still remain an all time favourite though.

    • @Mau4ever2
      @Mau4ever2 2 місяці тому +4

      "We had to restrict the use of MP44 & FG42 in Call of Duty for some players way back in the days"
      Cause: To Overpowered in the Hands of the "fast guys" on Pavlov's House - 2 German took Stalingrad with a FG42 & a MP44 against a full russian team

    • @localbod
      @localbod 2 місяці тому +1

      ​@@Mau4ever2*too overpowered*

    • @stevejohnson6593
      @stevejohnson6593 2 місяці тому

      You can still play today, at least in the evenings there'll be action in the EU... in game

  • @thelaughinghyenas8465
    @thelaughinghyenas8465 2 місяці тому +2

    Fascinating. I love the real history and development of the forgotten ones.

  • @workingmansdead44-ug8hl
    @workingmansdead44-ug8hl 2 місяці тому +3

    the sturmgewehr(all years) has got to be my favorite battle rifle of the second world war.

  • @DawidKov
    @DawidKov 2 місяці тому +12

    I think the whole "Hitler didn't like it" thing may be a bit of an attempt by the designers and/or army brass to blame Hitler in order to avoid admitting their own shortsightedness. Similar to how the Barbarossa generals blame Hitler for wanting to take Moscow, when it was their own ego-driven idea, one Hitler was initially against.
    Because really, when you think about the situation Germany was in during 1942, you'll see that the last thing they needed was to adopt a new rifle and_ more importantly, a new cartridge. What they needed was more guns, not more expensive guns. It's similar to how the Soviets kept making the three-line rifles rather than produce the SVTs, despite understanding the advantages of a self-loading design (pre-war, they planned to fully rearm with SVTs).
    If anything, we're lucky that the German designers and army brass weren't clever enough to understand these logistical concerns, and never applied them to stuff like tanks.

    • @phaeronseherekh1754
      @phaeronseherekh1754 2 місяці тому

      If I recall right they would variously understand that same notion with tanks, which would lead to various programs to simplify or unify the various production lines and models, I think they even did it for hauling vehicles too. It's just that their procurement/economic system was not particularly well built for it to begin with and adapting it mid war would have crippled their production in the short term enough for it to be just as undesirable.

  • @michaelguerin56
    @michaelguerin56 Місяць тому

    Thank you for a nice informative video. Cheers from NZ🇳🇿.

  • @kerrybullock4554
    @kerrybullock4554 2 місяці тому +1

    That’s a beautiful looking weapon

  • @panzer5698
    @panzer5698 2 місяці тому +2

    I live in Poland and this weapon is the most seen in all musem across in Poland, where in Poland we have a huge amount of German weapons more than German museum, is crazy

  • @billynomates920
    @billynomates920 2 місяці тому +20

    UA-cam: is that a 20 round mag? --o
    IAN: this thing is a very long magazine.

  • @WillnichtRein
    @WillnichtRein 2 місяці тому +6

    That's one neat looking gun

  • @Goc4ever
    @Goc4ever 2 місяці тому +3

    The MKb42(H) is a fantastic gun to look at, it would make a fantastic museum piece. Even though it was rather short-lived there's no shadow of doubt it along with the MKb42(W) and the STG44 had a considerable impact in the history of firearms especially when the one of the STG44s was seized by Mikhail Kalashnikov who went on to develop the AK-47 and all of its subsequent variant and copies. There's no doubt that some of the weapons developed by the nazis led to multiple breakthroughs in the field of research and development of multiple civilian and military projects like the jet propulsion and many, many, many others.

  • @Mygg_Jeager
    @Mygg_Jeager 2 місяці тому +1

    YES! I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR SO LONG!

  • @mnkyman478
    @mnkyman478 2 місяці тому

    We all appreciate your work, keep it up sir.

  • @pollyskirt1
    @pollyskirt1 2 місяці тому +2

    Cool vid Ian ,they are such a steampunk kinda design,We all want one .

  • @theblackhand6485
    @theblackhand6485 2 місяці тому +4

    With such a good explanation has to come a side by side comparison with the final model. Even better, with the early AK as well. That would be a very very interesting g video! Thank you.

  • @ReboyGTR
    @ReboyGTR 2 місяці тому +28

    *You may not like it but this is what PEAK assault rifle looks like.*

    • @grahambrown1980
      @grahambrown1980 2 місяці тому +5

      It’s getting me bricked up! 😁

    • @Benji_4
      @Benji_4 2 місяці тому

      Apparently the only guy who doesn't like this is Hitler.

  • @colonthree
    @colonthree 2 місяці тому +50

    This is a Sturmgewehr. It sturms and gewehrs.

    • @brittakriep2938
      @brittakriep2938 2 місяці тому +3

      What does Gewehr mean? In Military context a Gewehr is a fullsize rifle, in contrast to Karabiner. In Civilian context, every long gun is a Gewehr, so an umbrella term only. But why is bayonnet in german either Bajonett or Seitengewehr, a bladed weapon called Gewehr? Well Ge- means a lot of - ( for example Gewässer/ a lot of water, Gesang/ a lot of singing, Geschrei/ a lot of shouting) and Wehr means weapon ( for example large Bauernwehr knife arround 1500). Sich wehren means to defend yourself. So Gewehr: A lot of defence, in older documents a Gewehr can be both a firearm or bladed weapon.

    • @RennmausG0ttes
      @RennmausG0ttes 2 місяці тому +2

      ​​@@brittakriep2938thanks, that was interesting and reminds me of when I tried to learn German.

    • @theblackhand6485
      @theblackhand6485 2 місяці тому +1

      @brittakriep2938: ‘Wehr’ is coming from ‘defending’. ‘Wie wehren uns gegen die Russen‘ = ‘How do we defend ourself against the Russians?’. It’s a verb. Thus ‘Wehrmacht’ means ‘Force to defend’ aka ‘Defense force’.

    • @brittakriep2938
      @brittakriep2938 2 місяці тому +1

      @@theblackhand6485 : When you read ,die Wehr' ( das Wehr is something quite different) , mit blanker Wehr', ,die Seitenwehr' ( sidearm, can be pistol or sword) in older texts, then it means a mostly bladed weapon. In case of Wehrmacht, Reichswehr, Bundeswehr or Feuerwehr ( fire brigade) it means a trained unit, which defends against enemies or fire. Btw., i am german.

    • @ElitePraetorianGuard
      @ElitePraetorianGuard 2 місяці тому +3

      @@brittakriep2938 This is a reference to an old meme, "Zis is a flammenwerfer, it werfs flammen."
      ua-cam.com/video/mF0kYTUF-iU/v-deo.html
      It is a silly meme that makes no sense to German speakers, but sounds funny to non-German speakers because of the way that German is constructed especially in the way that German weapon systems were named in WW2. Like Panzerkampfwagen literally translating to armored-battle-vehicle, but in English we would just call it a tank. 😆

  •  2 місяці тому +1

    Very interesting Weapon. Thank you for the Video

  • @diego.rivero
    @diego.rivero 2 місяці тому +1

    Having one of these in Red Orchestra 2 made you unstoppable

  • @8.6GivenAdqVacSysm
    @8.6GivenAdqVacSysm 2 місяці тому +1

    Open-bolt also greatly increases natural cooling of the barrel between burst of fire, as air can flow through the barrel and open bolt. Which helps keep down the temperature of the barrel in normal operation. This doesn’t, of course, do anything for continuous sustained firing

  • @Slakrrrrrr
    @Slakrrrrrr 2 місяці тому +4

    Wonderful video, Ian! I've seen pictures on a Mauser rifle (in addition to mention of trials in January 1942) that was also a part of the MkB program. I believe the original fired a 7x39.1mm DWM round, has a lot of mechanical and visual similarities to the Gewehr 35 and Gewehr 41. I'd love to see a video on it one day, I know Jean Huon took the photos of it!

  • @cameronhermann9400
    @cameronhermann9400 2 місяці тому

    Amazing video, and I watched it at an ironic time. I just finished an essay on Operation Barbarossa and hearing the mention of the war in the East made me smirk with irony that I understood in depth what the designers were hopping for in sending it East.

  • @Coldominator
    @Coldominator 2 місяці тому

    red orchestra 2, hate being on the receiving end of this gun but love to be the one using it, glad people are still remembering that game to this day

  • @EventHorizon1776
    @EventHorizon1776 2 місяці тому +6

    Absolutely beautiful firearm.

    • @grahambrown1980
      @grahambrown1980 2 місяці тому

      I have less blood in my brain right now!😅

  • @Getpojke
    @Getpojke 2 місяці тому +42

    Always wonder what troops on the wrong side of the muzzle thought when they first saw their enemy armed with what was essentially a pretty "sci-fi" looking weapon. Yes they may have had sub-machine guns, but this thing had rate of fire, range & punching power. Must've been pretty demoralising to see a whole bunch of enemy armed with them for the first time.

    • @adlerarmory8382
      @adlerarmory8382 2 місяці тому +9

      @Getpojke The Rooski PPS-43 was already fielded by then. At distance it would look like a wood stocked PP3. At close enough range to tell the difference, it wouldn't matter if it's 7.62x25 or 7.92x33, dead is dead.

    • @smoogy2164
      @smoogy2164 2 місяці тому +7

      If you read The Devil's Brigade there is mention of entire squads in the First Special Service Force being equipped with Johnson light machine guns and the result there was "pretty damn demoralizing" at a minimum

    • @walmartian422
      @walmartian422 24 дні тому

      Most of them probably had no idea what was going on anyway. You are already getting hit by MG42’s everywhere this is probably not that much more impressive in comparison to that absolute machine.

  • @JerryEricsson
    @JerryEricsson 2 місяці тому +6

    Cool gun, one of my buddies had the successor with a closed bolt system that he found on the local reservation and purchased, he had a hard time finding a good load to make the gun run successfully, he ended up with a duel powder load using a bit of Bullseye to touch off some rifle powder in a compressed load using cases he made using some forming dies. It was complicated so he didn't have a lot of ammo for it. We did take it out in his cow pasture though and make some cow pies bounce with her. She we a good machine rifle; fun to shoot and if the ATF had seen us we would probably still be in jail. Sadly it was destroyed when his mobile home caught fire, that is a bad thing about trying to be off the grid, when you catch fire the local fire department has no idea how to find you, they did find it but much to late to save any of his extensive firearm collection hidden in a false wall in his trailer house. He is no longer into guns and runs a small black smith outfit in a little town in a remote part of the USA.

  • @jeffstevens156
    @jeffstevens156 2 місяці тому

    Thank You as always, Ian.

  • @gregoryschmitz2131
    @gregoryschmitz2131 2 місяці тому

    Well done for the early development I had not seen anything on looking specifically at open vs closed bolt.

  • @stelianghile822
    @stelianghile822 2 місяці тому +1

    Very interesting video!

  • @ComiCBoY000
    @ComiCBoY000 2 місяці тому +3

    Loved this since I first saw it in Red Orchestra 2

  • @GimpyChinaman
    @GimpyChinaman 2 місяці тому +11

    Is it just me, or does anyone else think that maybe Jonathan Ferguson, Keeper of Firearme and Artillery at the Royal Armouries Museum in the UK (which houses a collection of thousands of iconic weapons from throughout history) could use some emotional support from that rifle?

  • @donnerschwein
    @donnerschwein 2 місяці тому +12

    Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas are Gun Jesus videos in 4K

    • @ForgottenWeapons
      @ForgottenWeapons  2 місяці тому +13

      I post all my videos in 4K on the History of Weapons & War app, which is linked in the description.

  • @kuukeli
    @kuukeli Місяць тому

    great video once again

  • @gunman11
    @gunman11 2 місяці тому +2

    Damn interesting Ian. One more example of working out the bugs .

  • @karlheinzvonkroemann2217
    @karlheinzvonkroemann2217 2 місяці тому +2

    Your pronunciations of German words has improved radically since you first began this channel.

  • @DesertFernweh
    @DesertFernweh 2 місяці тому +5

    Me: I am a Mature Professional man.
    Ian: "The Germans went to Haennel"
    Me: 😂😂😂😂😂
    Ian: Haenal didn't like the blocked gas design.
    Me: ☠️

  • @kawaiiarchive357
    @kawaiiarchive357 2 місяці тому +6

    Looks cool and intimidating with a bayonet.

  • @АлексейФролов-в4ь
    @АлексейФролов-в4ь 2 місяці тому +4

    Держал я такой в руках...за номером 5.

  • @Lykyk
    @Lykyk 2 місяці тому +6

    It's always worth noting that while Hitler rejected it initially (mostly due to logistical concerns of introducing another cartridge), what eventually changed his mind were the conversations he had with simple soldiers who used it.
    He had kinda lost faith in the eggheads at that point, but knew real enthusiasm from frontline soldiers when he saw it.

  • @JackMaus
    @JackMaus 2 місяці тому

    I've been waiting for this video

  • @ManuR-l4m
    @ManuR-l4m 2 місяці тому

    One thing is for sure. This one looks so much cooler than the Walther version.

  • @BobSmith-dk8nw
    @BobSmith-dk8nw 2 місяці тому

    Thanks Ian.
    .

  • @bigpoppa1234
    @bigpoppa1234 2 місяці тому +19

    what a surprise hitler dislikes the biggest improvement in individual soldier firepower in history

    • @romaboo6218
      @romaboo6218 2 місяці тому +3

      Disliking the Logistical aspect is valid

    • @terry7907
      @terry7907 2 місяці тому +3

      Smokeless powder says: Hold my beer.

    • @JeffEbe-te2xs
      @JeffEbe-te2xs 2 місяці тому

      Yet wanted MAUS tanks

  • @illletyouknowin20businessd34
    @illletyouknowin20businessd34 Місяць тому

    This Gun is in Killing floor 2 (2017) and it’s a lot of fun!!! A punchy early round assault rifle, that is dual wielded by one of the bosses who is basically a German scientist from WW2.

  • @wallacemoore2398
    @wallacemoore2398 2 місяці тому

    I personally think this is one of the greatest looking rifles.

  • @theblindsniper9130
    @theblindsniper9130 2 місяці тому +6

    I have been telling people for years that the project started in 1938 and i always get tons of oush back.
    Maybe now that you said it, there will be some merit to what i have to say

  • @929Finn
    @929Finn 2 місяці тому +3

    Oh hey the bane of every RO2 player (other than the MG 42 and PPSh).

  • @jayrivers773
    @jayrivers773 2 місяці тому +1

    Just in time for the holidays, unlike a rescue breakthrough

  • @spondulixtanstaafl7887
    @spondulixtanstaafl7887 2 місяці тому

    Thanks, very interesting, never knew it started life as an open bolt.

  • @СрулесарСрулесарович

    The first application of MKb42 took place on the Eastern Front of WW2. Soviets analysed the captured samples and decided that they want something like this, but more ergonomic, reliable and GI-proof.

  • @kinobi911
    @kinobi911 2 місяці тому

    Very nice explained, some parts are so simple like the triggergroup (the G-3 is a tiny bit complex). The holes for the charging handle are likely the first thing with mud in it and the soldier cant clean it fast and propper.

  • @MaxUKR
    @MaxUKR 2 місяці тому

    Great video as always ❤🎉

  • @jesuschrist711
    @jesuschrist711 2 місяці тому +3

    I originally heard "It's in .38" and not "it's in '38" and got really confused while staring at the magazine

  • @miketeeveedub5779
    @miketeeveedub5779 2 місяці тому

    From a "looks" perspective it still my favorite variant of the Sturmgewehr family.

  • @craigjewel4539
    @craigjewel4539 2 місяці тому

    At the end of the video you can see the holes and openings in the gun that allow you to see through it. I can see how it would get heavily fouled when in combat.

  • @f3uibeghardt522
    @f3uibeghardt522 2 місяці тому +10

    1:02 You say the Nazis wanted to use a gas trap?

  • @joepuente666
    @joepuente666 2 місяці тому

    Awesome love the video, thank you 🎉

  • @joshb8233
    @joshb8233 2 місяці тому

    this is my favourite version of the weapon. it sucks australia has the worst gun laws. I love the long stroke piston cover it just looks real mean looking

  • @_porkadobo
    @_porkadobo 2 місяці тому

    Great video!

  • @MarbelCube
    @MarbelCube 28 днів тому

    Imagine US adopting this weaopon in 1942. No more BARs, Thompsons, Greas guns, Garands. Just stamped metal MKB and M1 carbine.

  • @StevenHoman
    @StevenHoman 2 місяці тому +1

    I saw a film of German troops withdrawing into American hands, leaving Prague. I saw a number of these among the K98s, and others, lining the roadside, with barrels pointed away from the road.

  • @Pixy335
    @Pixy335 2 місяці тому +1

    I remember seeing this thing in a CQB training scene of Jin Roh. I was wondering what’s that weird StG thing, until I looked it up on IMFDB.

  • @joaoie
    @joaoie 2 місяці тому +4

    I really want to know how this progresses to the MKBHD

  • @deadman12078
    @deadman12078 2 місяці тому

    "Haenel" Hehehehehe
    ~Peter Griffin.
    Oh come on! You weren't thinking it?!?!

  • @peanutscrew417
    @peanutscrew417 2 місяці тому +2

    28,000 starting bid on morphys 😵‍💫😵

  • @adlerarmory8382
    @adlerarmory8382 2 місяці тому

    The Mkb/MP/StG series atamped front handguard has an indentation on the bottom like the 98k cleaning rod was intended to be held by the bayonet liug (lug removed from the production MP43 and following version)

  • @jankusthegreat9233
    @jankusthegreat9233 2 місяці тому

    The front end looks so good