This is an advance peek at a coming article. Comments welcome, as always.

John

The German MG42 Machine gun



During World War II, it was, next to artillery, the most feared weapon on the battlefields. It spit death at up to 1500 rounds per minute. The sound of its firing mimicked that made by ripping canvas (but way louder). Its astonishing rate of fire made it impossible to distinguish the sound of individual rounds as they were fired. This was at a time when Allied machine guns managed only 450 to 600 rounds per minute. The German Maschinengewehr 42 (MG42) garnered quite a few nicknames – notably among them “Hitler’s buzzsaw.” It simply outclassed every other machine gun that existed at the time.

It had several other notable features. Its framework was mostly stamped sheet steel, making it quite lightweight; just 25.6 pounds with bipod but without ammunition drum. Its barrel could be easily and quickly replaced in a few seconds, and this was important because its barrel could and did get red hot in extended firing. It operated simply with an ingenious roller lock, which has been copied and is still being used today in numerous firearms. Its generous component tolerances allowed continuing operation in dust, mud, sand, rain and snow. It was treasured by the German Wehrmacht and respected immensely by the U.S. and its allies. Our soldiers were trained to flank it or frontally attack it only when it was out of ammo or temporarily down for barrel changing. To do otherwise was virtual suicide.

The gun was a huge improvement over its predecessor, the rotating-bolt MG34. That machine gun pioneered some of the features that were perfected in the MG42, but was very expensive to manufacture, requiring many intricately machined parts. Even its exterior was polished and carefully blued – nice to look at, but not in any way useful under the incredible manufacturing demands of all-out warfare. It fired at a fairly fast rate of about 850 rounds per minute, but still quite slower than the MG42. Manufacturing tolerances were tight, and that could be quite troublesome under adverse field conditions.

The German high command wanted a substantial improvement over the MG34, and a contest was launched to find a replacement for it. Three companies were chosen to compete. These were Metall und Lackierwarenfabrik Johannes Großfuß AG of Dobeln, Rheinmettall-Borsig of Sommerda, and Stübgen of Erfurt. Of the three, Großfuß AG's design proved to be the most promising. While the two other designs were gas-operated, the Großfuß concept used a recoil-actuated roller lock. Interestingly, this company had zero weapons experience, but excelled in pressed and stamped-steel manufacturing. Dr. Werner Gruner was one of its leading designers. He attended an Army machine gunner’s course, and talked with many soldiers for ideas. He decided to use already-existing Mauser roller-locking principles and integrated that style of lock into a largely stamped-metal gun. As it turned out, while it took about 150 man-hours to make an MG34, the new prototype MG39 took only 75. Also the cost was about 24% less for the newer gun.

The prototypes, under testing, turned out to be considerably more rugged and reliable than the MG34. A small run of about 1,500 was finished in 1941 and this type of gun was designated as the MG39/41. These successfully completed field trials in actual combat. The weapon was officially accepted as the MG42 in 1942. Contracts were immediately initiated with Mauser Werke AG, Wilhelm-Gustloff-Stiftung, Steyr-Daimler-Puch, Großfuß AG, and MAGET (Maschinenbau und Gerätebau GmbH, Berlin-Tegel). Over 400,000 MG42s were produced during the war (17,915 in 1942, 116,725 in 1943, 211,806 in 1944 and 61,877 in 1945).

Specifications for the MG42 were impressive. It fired the full-power 7.92x57mm Mauser (8mm Mauser) cartridge used in standard German rifles of that era. Muzzle velocity was 2,428 feet per second. Its overall length was 48 inches, and the barrel measured 20.9 inches. The rate of fire could be adjusted with different bolts and recoil springs to be from 900 rpm to 1500 rpm. It was fully-automatic only, fired from an open bolt, and had a practical rate of fire (with cooling pauses) of 153 rounds per minute. The adjustable iron sights were calibrated from 200 to 2,000 meters. Its maximum effective range was 3,500 meters with a tripod and scope sight. Maximum range was 4,700 meters. It was usually fed from an open 250-round ammo box or a 50-round drum. Both used non-disintegrating linked belts that were also employable in the MG34. As mentioned, it had a quick-change barrel mechanism, which is illustrated here:



While Allied tactics keyed on riflemen, German tactics during the war were based around the general purpose machine gun, with the objective of laying down as much firepower as possible on their enemies. Riflemen were essentially in support roles such as carrying ammunition and spare barrels, while also providing covering fire for the machine gunners. A German infantry squad (Gruppe) consisted of 10 men. There was a non-commissioned officer squad leader (Unteroffizier), a deputy squad leader, and a 3-man machine gun team consisting of a gunner, assistant gunner (loader), and an ammunition carrier. These were supported by 5 riflemen. Spare barrels for the machine gun were distributed for carrying by members of the squad. Machine gunners were trained to fire in short bursts to prevent overheating of the barrel, but in intense combat, the barrel would need replacing often. While the MG42 was most often fitted with a folding bipod, tripods were also used, as well as anti-aircraft sights. While the MG42 was light enough to be hand-carried in combat, firing it standing up would be punishing. This picture from the German war archives shows the approved prone position. Note that the firer’s left hand is on the hook in the buttstock, positioning the stock firmly into his shoulder.



The MG42 is still being used by many entities well after the war. It morphed into a number of successor machine guns used by Germany, and was copied in its principles worldwide. Some of its design elements were used in the U.S. M60 machine gun. It was an epochal development in the tools of war, and is still a classic and respected device today.

(c) 2018 JLM

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Absolutely wonderful! (Like all your articles). I love the last picture. That would be a good feral hog gun!

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Possum—The other white meat!

I believe years ago that pic was found to have been a reenactor. Great article

Nice article. When I was in the service we used the MG3. I could qualify with everything but the MG3.... heavy trigger and high rate of fire wasn't for me I guess But we had 2 high ranking NCO's that could shoot single fire. Very impressive in my opinion.

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Jorge

Cool gun, cool story, cool pics, etc. Thanks for posting.
A friend, now deceased, had a transferable MG34, MG42 and FG42. They all amazed me as to the engineering, manufacturing, etc.

Thanks for that bit of information; I modified the text and photo from war archives showing a more authentic German firer in the approved prone position..

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Excellent article as always!

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Wherever my mind isn't
Jim

So are these guys shooting or posing?

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

Reading this while listening to bursts of MG3 fire in the distance...

You need to move to a better neighborhood in Vegas!

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Possum—The other white meat!

Lol! That’s about 8,000 miles from here, haven’t updated my location in a while.

Shot 1 years ago owned by Inter Arms Brothers...indoor.... 100 rd belt gone in seconds...and pushed me back 4 feet on the concrete floor....im 270lbs. Barrel change requires no HS... still used in Pakistan and Turkey.

Seriously? Four feet? That’s crazy!

Great article as always. I've got a Thompson but would really like to get one of those.

I too was fortunate to fire one. Just an incredible weapon. Way fun!!

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No baby we aint

Nice home defense firearm.

From day one it was and remains the gold standard against which any other similar machine gun will be judged. Recognize that other designs fill particular niches. But, that thing is nearly beyond improvement. Glock must have been manufacturing weapons for the German army during WWII b/c that thing is just about perfect. JMHO. Sincerely. bruce.

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<><

The MG34/42 was called Hilter’s Buzzsaw.
The Army printed up a comic book style TM explaining them to the recruits.
Used to know a machine gunner here in town.
He was absolutely scared to death of the 42!
He usually walked in front with his tripod over his neck.
When he was ordered to, felt the need to, or just got a feeling -
He would bring that tripod over his head and snap the third leg in place.
His crew would lock that 1919 on the Tripod, bring up a can of ammo, feed it through, and he’s ready to shoot!
You sure would look stupid laying out on a hillside in Germany with your tripod over your neck!
He wanted to go down shooting!
Me too!

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

A friend of mine had for many years a registered MG34.
So beautifully made and a real hoot to shoot off the tripod.

There was a training movie made to try to counteract the psychological effect of the gun. The Marines in the Pacific would take the rear gun off damaged dive bombers. Basically a 1919 with double the rate of fire of the infantry model. They were used to good effect against Jap. pill boxes.

I read a war book by a British officer who commented that the Bren just didn't look as vicious or sound as bad as the MG-42.

He felt that this was a morale issue among his men. But the Bren was better for precise fire, and probably accounted for very many enemy dead.

It, too, had a quick change barrel, a feature lacking in our own BAR. (US version. I know that Belgian models had a changeable barrel.)

The sound of the MG-42 was so distinct that Ian Fleming included one among the bad guy's arms in, Dr. No, the book. A Bren was subbed for the movie. In the book, Bond recalled that he had last heard that sound in the Ardennes in the Battle of the Bulge. Dr. No had an MG-42 on his patrol boat.

I think the look of the Browning M-1919-A6 was strongly influenced by the MG-42.

It was a devastating weapon to face, but surely needed vast amounts of ammo to run.

The Wehrmacht had two of the most-feared weapons, with excellent reasons. MG42 was frightening. The 88mm AA/antitank gun was terrifying.

Great article as usual, John.

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Oh well, what the hell.

John, as always a great article. And I suppose that you are still limited in word count so that it will fit into the accustomed slot in the "Blue Press"?

That in itself is remarkable.

Thanks for sharing with us. I have your book, and my FIL gets the Blue Press, and saves the articles, which I have been adding to the book.

Some day you need to come out with a volume II!!!

Best Regards, Les

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SWCA 3084, SWHF 495, PGCA 3064

I would agree, the pic is more than likely someone firing blanks. Shooting the MG 42 from other than prone or from a mount, is next to impossible. I own one and I have tried and failed. Thanks! Mick

Well, there is that case where Audie Murphy picked one up and charged the Germans, firing from waist height...

I believe the pic is a re-enactor. It was discussed on another forum years ago. Nothing else sounds like the 42. The Germans invented nearly every major weapons system in use today. The ballistic missile, the cruise missile, rocket artillery, Blitzkrieg, the selective fire intermediate round rifle, and the Panzerfaust disposable anti tank weapon.

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No baby we aint

Useful commentary here. I decided to substitute a picture of an actual German soldat firing the weapon from the approved and way more practical prone position.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

About a year ago I was watching a Documentary on this Machine Gun. The gun crew had to be very fast and efficient at changing the hot barrels as they did not last too long before they turned red hot due to the rapid rate of fire! The US Military focused more on a slower rate of fire to extend the time before the barrels over heated. That said, GI's deed seem to freak out (rightfully so) at the sound of those things!

Great write-up.

The MG 42 was taken into service basically unchanged except for the caliber, 7.62 mm, by the post-war West German army starting in the late 1950s. A few versions MG 1, and MG 2 developed into the standard MG 3 manufactured by Rheinmetall by about 1960. It served in all machine gun roles from squad GPMG with folding bipod to anti-aircraft weapon with optics and heavy tripod mount.

It is still on duty with German forces in Afghanistan today, although mostly as a vehicle-mounted weapon. At the squad level, it has been replaced by the HK MG 4 in 5.56 mm.

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When changing barrels, what does the operatior do with the red-hot one? Do you set it aside to cool to be reinserted when the spare turns red-hot? Would it cool down by the time the spare had heated up? Or does it warp/become unusable and have to be thrown away? How many barrels were carried as spares?

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Possum—The other white meat!

While I haven't shot the MG42, I have plenty of experience with the MG3 and both have a lot in common.

The MG42 existed as a light machine gun, fired from a bipod and as a heavy machine gun when used with a tripod. Barrel changes were usually necessary after firing three 50 round belts fast and the machine gunners were issued an asbestos glove for that. Firing the light MG42/MG3 required a very different technique from firing a rifle but once the basics have been properly learnt, the gun can be shot with amazing accuracy and a short burst kept on the palm of a hand at 25 meters.
The MG42 and MG3 do not have a recoil that will move a shooter back several feet but not holding it right will result in the shots wandering out.

I have taught the soldiers that failed to qualify how to shoot the MG3A, they all finished the day with silver or gold.

It might be worth mentioning that the patent held by Rheinmetall for the MG42 roller lock caused Cetme to have to turn the G3 that Cetme developped over to HK.

Machinegun use has a history in my family. This is a photo of my dad in Russia in 1941.



I took this photo during a reserve training to show the shooters their mistakes.

They called it “The Stinger”. Basically they repurposed them by adding part of a Garand stock to the rear of the receiver as well as a few other bits.

American Rifleman | Firepower in the Pacific: The “Stinger” Machine Gun

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BCCI Life Member #2068

A most enjoyable and informative read. Quite a MG for sure and developed/designed by someone not primarily in the firearms business. Envy those here that have gotten for fire one. Thanks for the great posts.

John, as usual, you did a fine job. However, I think the first sentence of the last paragraph should be 2 sentences. Here is a WWII US training film that discusses the MG42.

Good suggestion - the sentence is a mite long. I really enjoyed the training film - obviously designed to boost morale with our troops.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

The lights inside the Museum were not very bright. Something about energy conservation because of the high outdoor temperatures. This gun was on display in the WW II area.

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S&WHF 366

That is what is spewed out. I have a lot of the fragments of the acht-komma-acht that a friend, who was a FLAK Helfer when he was 15 years old collected after the British raids on Hamburg. He painted them with clear lacquer to preserve them and I have inherited that collection.

Here are two vicious looking examples:

I worked with a LEO that made the D Day landing, first wave, Omaha Beach. He Never talked about it to us younger officers, however I did overhear him comment to another WWII vet that the only thing he really feared was Hitlers " Buzz Saw". He caught one at the Battle of the Bulge and the war was over for him. God bless him, he died last year. I was never able to thank him for his service and I regret that.

Awesome guns. I think I’d take one over our 240 bravos. But at the end of the day, I’ll take my trusty M2 over everything else (provided there’s a vehicle to carry it!).