The following is a list of World War II German Firearms which includes German firearms, prototype firearms and captured foreign firearms used by the Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe, Waffen-SS, Deutsches Heer, the Volkssturm and other military armed forces in World War II.
Picture | Name | Manufacturer | Cartridge | Primary User | Note | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Astra 300 | Astra-Unceta y Cia SA | 7.65×17mm SR 9×17mm Kurz | Luftwaffe | 85,390 delivered from 1941 to 1944. [1] | [2] | |
Astra 400 | Astra-Unceta y Cia SA | 9×23mm Largo | Luftwaffe | 6,000 purchased in 1941. [1] | [3] | |
Astra 600 | Astra-Unceta y Cia SA | 9×19mm Parabellum | Luftwaffe | 10,450 Astra 600s had been delivered to Germany until German occupation of France ceased. [4] The remainder of the German order, consisting of 28,000 pistols, was intercepted by Allied forces in September 1944. [1] | [3] | |
Astra 900 | Astra-Unceta y Cia SA | 7.63×25mm Mauser | Wehrmacht | 1,050 delivered in March 1943. | [1] | |
Browning Hi-Power | Fabrique Nationale d'Herstal | 9×19mm Parabellum | Waffen-SS Fallschirmjäger | 319,000 manufactured under German occupation. Designated Pistole 640(b) in German service. | [5] | |
ČZ vz. 27 | Böhmische Waffenfabrik (Czech made under German occupation (after mid-March 1939)) | 7.65 mm Browning/.32 ACP | Wehrmacht Gestapo | All ČZ 27's Produced for German use were all marked on the slide with "Pistole Modell 27 Kal 7.65" with the addition of "Böhmische Waffenfabrik Prag." | - | |
Dreyse M1907 | Rheinmetall | 7.65×17mm SR | Wehrmacht | Only a few thousands of the pistols were produced during WW2 | [6] | |
FÉG 37M | Fémárú, Fegyver- és Gépgyár | 7.65×17mm SR | Luftwaffe | Examples produced for German use included a manual safety, which was absent from the Hungarian-issue version. Designated Pistole 37(u) in German service. | [7] | |
FN Model 1910 | Fabrique Nationale de Herstal | 7.65×17mm Browning | Wehrmacht Luftwaffe | The FN M1910 was produced under the German occupation. Designated "Pistole 621" in German service. | - | |
FN Model 1922 | Fabrique Nationale de Herstal | 7.65×17mm Browning 9×17mm Browning | Wehrmacht Luftwaffe Waffen-SS | The FN M1922 was mainly produced for the Luftwaffe, Also used by Wehrmacht, SS, Reich Government Officials, but oddly enough was still sold commercially up until 1942. | - | |
Kongsberg Colt | Kongsberg Vaapenfabrikk | 11.43x23mm ACP | Wehrmacht | 8200 were produced under German occupation. Designated as Pistole 657(n) in German service. | - | |
Luger P08 pistol | Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken Mauser-Werke | 9×19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht Luftwaffe Waffen-SS | The Luger P08's production was taken over by Mauser after World War I. [8] | [9] | |
Luger M1902 Carbine | Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken Mauser-Werke | 9x19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS | A few were seen used by the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS in 1944. | ||
Mauser HSc | Mauser-Werke | 7.65×17mm SR | Kriegsmarine Deutsches Heer Luftwaffe Waffen-SS Gestapo Kriminalpolizei | Originally produced as a commercial pistol, The Mauser HSc was fully adopted by the Kriegsmarine, Luftwaffe, Deutsches Heer (German Army), the Waffen-SS the Gestapo and the Kriminalpolizei in 1943. [10] | [11] | |
Mauser C96 | Mauser-Werke | 7.63×25mm Mauser 9×19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS Luftwaffe | The Mauser C96 was adopted in 1942 and the M1930 variant was delivered to the Luftwaffe. | [11] | |
MAB Model D | Manufacture d'Armes de Bayonne | 7.65×17mm Browning SR | Wehrmacht | After German forces occupied France, the MAB Model D was adopted for use by the Wehrmacht during World War II. | ||
Radom wz.35 Vis | Łucznik Arms Factory, Radom | 9×19mm Parabellum | Fallschirmjäger Feldgendarmerie | Designated Pistole 645(p) in German service. | [12] | |
Steyr M1912 | Steyr Mannlicher | 9×19mm Parabellum 9×23mm Steyr | Wehrmacht | When the Austrian Army was absorbed, existing Steyr M1912 pistols were rechambered to fire 9mm Parabellum rounds. [13] Designated Pistole 12(ö) in German service. | [14] > | |
Sauer 38H | Sauer & Sohn | 7.65×17mm SR | Wehrmacht Luftwaffe | The manual safety on the Sauer 38H was excluded on pistols produced between 1944 and 1945. [13] | [15] | |
Star Model B | Star Bonifacio Echeverria | 9×19mm Parabellum | Luftwaffe | Similar to the Colt M1911 and 25,000 delivered prior to liberation of France. | [1] | |
- | Volkspistole | Mauser-Werke Carl Walther GmbH Gustloff-Werke | 9×19mm Parabellum | - | An emergency weapon production can be traced to Mauser and Walther but full identification is still uncertain. [16] | [17] |
Walther P38 | Carl Walther GmbH Mauser-Werke Spreewerke GmbH | 9×19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht Luftwaffe Waffen-SS Gestapo Kriminalpolizei | The standard issue pistol of the Wehrmacht. [18] | [19] | |
Walther PP | Carl Walther GmbH | 7.65×17mm SR | Wehrmacht Luftwaffe Waffen-SS Gestapo Kriminalpolizei | Produced and used by Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe, Waffen-SS, the Gestapo and the Kriminalpolizei in WW2. | [19] | |
Walther PPK | Carl Walther GmbH | 7.65×17mm SR 9×17mm Kurz | Wehrmacht Luftwaffe Waffen-SS Gestapo Kriminalpolizei | Similar to the PP but shorter version used mostly by Kriminalpolizei during WW2. | ||
Walther Model 8 | Carl Walther GmbH | .25 ACP | Luftwaffe Panzerwaffe | 3,090 pistols were delivered to the Luftwaffe and the Panzerwaffe in 1941. | ||
Walther Model 9 | Carl Walther GmbH | .25 ACP | Wehrmacht Luftwaffe Panzerwaffe | 298 pistols were delivered to the Wehrmacht in 1940-1945. | ||
Pistolet automatique modèle 1935A | Société Alsacienne de Constructions Mécaniques | 7.65×20mm Longue | Wehrmacht | Captured in 1944 and designated as Pistole 625(f). | ||
Colt M1911 | Colt Manufacturing Company | .45 ACP | Wehrmacht Volkssturm | Designated as Pistole 660(a). | ||
Smith & Wesson M1917 | Smith & Wesson | .45 ACP | Wehrmacht Volkssturm | Designated as Revolver 661(a). | ||
Colt M1917 | Colt Manufacturing Company | .45 ACP | Wehrmacht Volkssturm | Designated as Revolver 662(a). | ||
Bodeo M1889 Revolver | Societa Siderurgica Glisenti | 10.35mm Ordinanza Italiana | Wehrmacht | A revolver produced in Kingdom of Italy in WW1, some these revolvers were used by the Wehrmacht and designated as Revolver 680(i). |
Picture | Name | Manufacturer | Cartridge | Primary User | Note | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fallschirmjägergewehr 42 | Rheinmetall-Borsig Heinrich Krieghoff Waffenfabrik L. O. Dietrich | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Fallschirmjäger | Approximately 2,000 produced of first variation, 5,000 of second and third variations. | ||
Gewehr 24(t) | Československá Zbrojovka Brno | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht | Modification of Czechoslovak vz. 24 rifle to more closely conform with standard-issue Karabiner 98k. 330,050 produced in occupied Czechoslovakia from 1938 to 1943. | ||
Gewehr 29/40(ö) | FB "Łucznik" Radom | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Kriegsmarine | Modification of Polish vz. 29 rifle to more closely conform with standard-issue Karabiner 98k. The factory was run by the Austrian firm Steyr. | ||
Gewehr 33/40(t) | Československá Zbrojovka Brno | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht | Adaptation of Czechoslovak vz. 33. 131,503 produced from 1940 to 1942 for German use. | ||
Gewehr 41(M) | Mauser-Werke | 7.92×57mm Mauser | - | Mauser self-loading rifle design tested in 1941, not accepted for service. | ||
Gewehr 41(W) | Carl Walther GmbH | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht | Walther self-loading rifle adopted as standard in 1942 but superseded by improved Gewehr 43. | ||
- | Gewehr 43 Sniper Rifle | Carl Walther GmBH | 7.92x57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS | A sniper variant of the Gewehr 43 rifle. | |
Gewehr 43/Karabiner 43 | Carl Walther GmbH | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS | Modification of Gewehr 41(W) to gas operation, later renamed Karabiner 43. | ||
Gewehr 88 | Steyr-Mannlicher various others | M/88 7.92×57mm Mauser | Volkssturm | The Gewehr 88 was the first rifle adopted by Germany that used Smokeless powder. | ||
Gewehr 98 | Mauser-Werke various others | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS Volkssturm | Standard German infantry rifle of World War I. Saw limited use in World War II, including issue to Adolf Hitler's SS bodyguard unit. | ||
- | Gewehr 98 Sniper Rifle | Mauser-Werke various others | 7.92x57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS | Sniper version of the Gewehr 98 Rifle. | |
Gewehr 98/40 | Fémárú, Fegyver- és Gépgyár | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht | Adaptation of Hungarian 35M rifle to fire 7.92×57mm Mauser ammunition and to mount German bayonets. 138,400 produced from 1941 to 1944. | [20] | |
Karabiner 98a | Mauser-Werke various others | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht | |||
Karabiner 98b | Mauser-Werke various others | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht | |||
Karabiner 98k | Mauser-Werke various others | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht Kriegsmarine Luftwaffe Waffen-SS | Adopted as standard German infantry rifle in 1935. Over 14 million produced from 1934 until German surrender in 1945. | ||
Karabiner 98k Sniper Rifle | Mauser-Werke various others | 7.92x57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht Kriegsmarine Luftwaffe Waffen-SS | Sniper version of the Karabiner 98k with Sniper Scope | ||
Maschinenkarabiner 42(H) | C. G. Haenel | 7.92×33mm Kurz | Wehrmacht | Accepted after troop trials in 1943, about 8,000 produced. Served as basis for MP 43. | ||
Maschinenkarabiner 42(W) | Carl Walther GmbH | 7.92×33mm Kurz | Wehrmacht | A competitor of the Maschinenkarabiner 42(H) from Walther. About 3,000-5,000 produced. | ||
M30 Luftwaffe drilling | Sauer & Sohn | 9.3x74mmR, 12 Gauge [21] | Luftwaffe | M30 Luftwaffe drilling was a combination double barrel shotgun issued as survival weapon for Luftwaffe aircrews. | [22] | |
Sturmgewehr 44 | C. G. Haenel | 7.92×33mm Kurz | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS Volksgrenadier | Evolved from MKb 42(H). First series completed in July 43, first combat use in Eastern Front. Initially named Maschinenpistole 43 and then Maschinenpistole 44. | ||
Sturmgewehr 45(M) | Mauser-Werke | 7.92×33mm Kurz | Wehrmacht | Experimental lightweight selective-fire weapon, with roller-locked blowback system, only prototypes built prior to end of war. Forerunner of the Spanish CETME 58. | ||
Volkssturmgewehr/Gewehr 1-5 | Gustloff-Werke | 7.92×33mm Kurz | Volkssturm | Intended as a cheap and mass-produced self-loading, semi-automatic weapon. First series completed in late 1944. | ||
- | Sturmgewehr 1-5 | Gustloff-Werke | 7.92x33mm Kurz | - | A proposed version of the Gewehr 1-5 that had a firing-selector, and could be switched from fully-automatic and semi-automatic. | |
- | Hessische Selbstladekarabiner | Hessische Industrie Werke | 8×57mm IS (Rifle) 8x33mm Kurz (Carbine) | Volkssturm | Produced a few of this rifle in 1944-1945 issued to Volkssturm. | |
Volksgewehr VG-1 | Gustloff-Werke | 7.92x57mm Mauser | Volkssturm | A bolt action rifle with a 10 round detachable box magazine | ||
Volkssturmgewehr VG-2 | Gustloff-Werke | 7.92x57mm Mauser | Volkssturm | A bolt action rifle with a 10 round detachable box magazine. | ||
- | Volkssturmgewehr VG-3 | Gustloff-Werke | 7.92x33mm Kurz | Volkssturm | A light bolt action carbine that uses StG-44's 30 round detachable box magazine. | |
- | Volkssturmgewehr VG-4 | Gustloff-Werke | 7.92x57mm Mauser | Volkssturm | A bolt action rifle with a 5 round internal magazine. | |
- | Erma/Walther Volkssturmgewehr | Erma-Werke Carl Walther GmbH | 7.92x33mm Kurz | Volkssturm | A last-ditch semi-automatic carbine with a 10 or 30 round detachable box magazine. | |
- | VK-98 | Gustloff-Werke | 7.92x57mm Mauser | Volkssturm | A bolt action rifle with a 10 round internal magazine. | |
- | Gewehr 43K | Carl Walther GmbH | 7.92x33mm Kurz | Wehrmacht Volkssturm | Similar to the Gewehr 43 rifle but the difference is the rifle uses a 30 round StG-44's magazine. | |
- | Knorr-Bremse Paratrooper Rifle | Knorr-Bremse | 7.92x57mm Mauser | - | A prototype automatic rifle designed in 1941-1942 to complete against the FG-42 rifle, the rate of fire of this rifle is about 500 to 550. | |
Grossfuss Sturmgewehr | Metall- und Lackwarenfabrik Johannes Großfuß | 7.92x33mm Kurz | - | Only 9 were produced during the Battle of Berlin and the soviets found five of these were at the Kummersdorf testing site after the battle. | ||
Mauser StG 45 Kurz | Mauser-Werke | 7.92x33mm Kurz | - | The Mauser's design of the StG-45(M). | ||
Wimmersperg Spz-Kr | - | 7.92x33mm Kurz | - | A bullpup assault rifle designed in 1945. | ||
- | Rheinmetall VG45K | Rheinmetall | 7.92x57mm Mauser | Volkssturm | A bolt action rifle with a 30 round StG-44's magazine and designed for the Volkssturm during the final phase of World War II in Europe. |
Picture | Name | Manufacturer | Cartridge | Primary User | Note | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Maschinengewehr 08 | DWM Spandau Erfurt | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht | Standard machine gun of World War I. Saw limited use in World War II. | ||
Maschinengewehr 15 | Rheinmetall | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Luftwaffe Wehrmacht | The MG 15 was at the beginning of the war mainly used on aircraft of the Luftwaffe. After being replaced by other machine guns many MG 15s were modified for use by ground forces. | ||
Maschinengewehr 30 | Steyr-Daimler-Puch | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Luftwaffe Wehrmacht | Rejected by the Reichswehr but accepted by the Luftwaffe for aircraft use. Later transferred to Wehrmacht ground units. | ||
ZB vz. 30 | Československá Zbrojovka Brno | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Waffen-SS | Czechoslovak ZB vz. 30 produced under German occupation for Waffen-SS use. | ||
Maschinengewehr 34 | Mauser-Werke various others | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht Kriegsmarine Luftwaffe Waffen-SS | Adapted from MG30 and adopted as standard machine gun in 1934. Issued to German troops starting in 1935. | ||
Maschinengewehr 42 | Mauser-Werke Steyr-Daimler-Puch Gustloff Werke | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht Luftwaffe Waffen-SS | Successor to MG34, adopted in 1942. Over 400,000 produced prior to German surrender. | ||
MG 45 | n/a | 7.92×57mm Mauser | n/a | Emergency alternative to the MG42 and only 10 were produced during the Battle of Berlin. | ||
Barnitzke machine gun | n/a | 7.92×57mm Mauser | n/a | Proposed MG42 replacement using an unusual delayed blowback operation. | ||
MG 81 | n/a | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Luftwaffe | Machine gun used by the Luftwaffe. | ||
Kg m/40 Automatic Rifle | Knorr-Bremse | 6.5×55mm Swedish | Waffen-SS | A few thousands of these guns delivered for the Waffen-SS, under the name MG35/36A. In 1940, the Waffen-SS decided to replace the 36A variant because it is unreliable and sometimes the wooden stock fell off. | ||
Maschinengewehr 13 | Dreyse | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Luftwaffe Kriegsmarine | Produced in the 1930s issued to Luftwaffe aircrews and Kriegsmarine until the MG 34 was introduced in 1934. | ||
- | Maschinengewehr 39 Rh | Rheinmetall | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Wehrmacht Luftwaffe Kriegsmarine | A general-purpose machine gun designed in 1937 issued to Wehrmacht, Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine. | |
Maschinengewehr M. 7 | Steyr | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Heer | A machine gun designed in 1904 and was seen rarely used by german army (Heer). | ||
ZB vz. 26 | Zbrojovka Brno, Zastava Arms | 8×57mm IS | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS | The Wehrmacht soon adopted the ZB-26 after the occupation of Czechoslovakia, renaming it the MG 26(t), it was used in the same role as the MG 34, as a light machine gun. In the opening phases of World War II, the ZB-26 in 7.92 mm Mauser caliber was used in large numbers by elements of the German Waffen-SS, who at first did not have full access to standard Wehrmacht supply channels. | ||
ZB-53 | Zbrojovka Brno | 7.92×57mm Mauser | Waffen-SS | During the German occupation of the factory, large numbers were produced for the Waffen-SS until 1942. |
Picture | Name | Manufacturer | Cartridge | Primary User | Note | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beretta Model 38/42 | Beretta | 9×19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS Fallschirmjäger | Designated Maschinenpistole 738(i) in German service. | ||
Beretta Model 38/44 | Beretta | 9×19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS Fallschirmjäger | Designated Maschinenpistole 739(i) in German service. | ||
Erma EMP | Československá Zbrojovka Brno | 9×19mm Parabellum | Waffen-SS | Not officially adopted, but used in small numbers by the Waffen-SS. | ||
Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer | Mauser-Werke | 7.63×25mm Mauser | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS Kriegsmarine | A fully automatic version of the Mauser C96 pistol with a 10 or 20 rounds detachable box magazine, the rate of fire is about 900 to 1000. | ||
MP18 | Bergmann Waffenfabrik | 9×19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht Volkssturm | |||
MP28 | Bergmann Waffenfabrik | 9×19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht Volkssturm | Improved version of MP18. | ||
MP34 | Waffenfabrik Steyr | 9×19mm Parabellum 9×23mm Steyr | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS Feldgendarmerie | Designed by Rheinmetall but produced in Austria by Steyr to evade Treaty of Versailles restrictions. After the Anschluss, produced from 1938 to 1940 for the Waffen-SS. Pre-Anschluss Austrian examples designated Maschinenpistole 34(ö) in German service. | ||
MP35 | Bergmann | 9×19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS | Produced from 1935 to 1944. Used primarily by the Waffen-SS. | ||
MP38 | Erma Werke | 9×19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS Feldgendarmerie Fallschirmjäger | Used primarily by the Feldgendarmerie in World War II. | ||
MP40 | Erma Werke | 9×19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS Fallschirmjäger Gestapo | The MP40 is an improved version of MP38, utilizing stamped metal parts for easier mass production and the standard issue submachine gun in World War II. | ||
MP41 | Haenel | 9×19mm Parabellum | Waffen-SS | Combined the receiver, operating mechanism, and magazine housing of the MP40 and the stock, trigger and fire selector of the MP28. | ||
MP3008 | Ludwig Vorgrimler | 9×19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht Volkssturm | Based on British Sten Mk II, designed as an easy to manufacture last-ditch weapon. Approximately 10,000 produced in 1945. | ||
Suomi KP/-31 | Tikkakoski Oy | 9×19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS | 3,042 purchased from Finland. | ||
ZK-383 | Československá Zbrojovka Brno | 9×19mm Parabellum | Waffen-SS | Produced in occupied Czechoslovakia for Waffen-SS use. | ||
MAS-38 | - | 7.65mm Longue | Wehrmacht | The Germans accepted the gun as a substitute standard weapon, naming it the 7.65 mm MP722(f). They continued production of the gun for their own armed forces and supplied some to the Vichy French. | ||
Danuvia 39M/43M | Danuvia | 9×25mm Mauser Export | Wehrmacht | Some of this guns were delivered to the Wehrmacht in WW2. | ||
Orița M1941 | Uzinele Metalurgice Copșa Mică și Cugir | 9x19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht | A small quantity of these guns was used by the Wehrmacht during the last two years of WW2. | ||
Astra 902 | Astra-Unceta y Cia SA | 7.63×25mm Mauser | Wehrmacht | A fully automatic version of the Astra 900 pistol but it has a 20 rounds internal box magazine. | ||
Astra 904 | Astra-Unceta y Cia SA | 7.63×25mm Mauser 9mmLargo | Wehrmacht | Another fully automatic version of the Astra 900 pistol but it has a 10 or 20 rounds detachable box magazine. In 1943, some delivered to the Wehrmacht. | ||
- | MP 41(r) | Numerous | 9x19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht | A captured PPSh-41 converted to 9×19mm Parabellum caliber for use by German forces. | |
MP 717(r) | Numerous | 7.63×25mm Mauser | Wehrmacht | A captured, unconverted PPSh-41 placed in German service and supplied with 7.63×25mm Mauser ammunition | ||
TZ-45 | Fabbrica Fratelli Giandoso | 9×19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht (possibly) | A few TZ-45 were possibly used by the Wehrmacht forces engaged in similar operations. | ||
EMP 44 | Erma Werke | 9x19mm Parabellum | - | A prototype submachine gun designed in 1942 but it was rejected due to its failure to pass acceptance tests. | ||
Sten | Numerous | 9x19mm Parabellum | Wehrmacht | 2,457 were captured by the german army and designated as MP-748(e) for the Mk I to MP-752(e) for the Mk V. |
Picture | Name | Manufacturer | Cartridge | Primary User | Note | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Granatbüchse 39 | Gustloff Werke | - | Wehrmacht | Conversion of Panzerbüchse 39 to launch rifle grenades. | ||
- | Panzerbüchse 38 | Gustloff Werke | 7.92×94mm | Wehrmacht | ||
Panzerbüchse 39 | Gustloff Werke | 7.92×94mm | Wehrmacht | Improved version of Panzerbüchse 38. | ||
Panzerfaust | - | 100mm anti-tank grenade | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS | Disposable recoilless single-shot anti-tank grenade launcher. | ||
Raketenpanzerbüchse 43 | - | 88mm rocket | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS | Popularly referred to as Panzerschreck. Enlarged version of American M1A1 Bazooka. | ||
Raketenpanzerbüchse 54 | - | 88mm rocket | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS | Improved version of the Raketenpanzerbüchse 43, adding a blast shield. | ||
Solothurn S-18/1000 | Solothurn | 20×138mmB | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS | |||
Solothurn S-18/1100 | Solothurn | 20×138mmB | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS | Full-automatic version of the Solothurn S-18/1000. | ||
Sturmpistole | - | - | Wehrmacht | Modification of standard flare guns to launch grenades | ||
Karabin przeciwpancerny wz.35 | Państwowa Fabryka Karabinów | 7.92×107mm DS | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS | Captured, as PzB 35 (p) and then later renamed PzB 770 (p). Some copies were acquired from Italy after the Armistice of Cassibile and designated PzB 770 (i). | ||
- | PzB M.SS.41 | Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod | 7.92×94mm Patronen | Wehrmacht | Produced in Czechoslovakia under german occupation. |
Light Anti-Aircraft Guns
• Fliegerfaust hand-held anti-air rocket launcher produced in 1945
• Solothurn ST-5 caliber 20 mm (.79 in)
• 2 cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling – the most produced German artillery piece of World War II, based on Russian 2-K AA gun design which was too complex to mass-produce in USSR
• 25 mm Hotchkiss anti-aircraft gun (captured from French)
• Gebirgsflak 38 – reduced-weight version of 2 cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling
• 3.7 cm SK C/30 – naval AA gun
• 37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K) (captured from Russia by Wehrmacht and redesignated 3.7 cm M39(r))
• Schräge Musik – also independently developed by Imperial Japanese Naval Air Service (both in use by May 1943
• SG 116
• Henschel Hs 297 – launch 35 73mm-caliber short-range rockets
• Jagdfaust – air-to-air vertical-fire automated cannon
Heavy Anti-Aircraft Guns
• Rheintochter (surface-to-air rocket)
• Cannone da 75/46 C.A. modello 34 (acquired from Italy)
• 76 mm air defense gun M1938 (captured from Russia by Wehrmacht and redesignated Flak 38(r))
• 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41 AT/AA gun
• 85 mm air defense gun M1939 (52-K) (captured from Russia by Wehrmacht and redesignated 8.5 cm Flak 39(r))
• 12.8 cm FlaK 40 twin mount
• Cannone da 90/53 AA/AT gun (acquired from Italy)
Grenades and Grenade Launchers
Picture | Name | Manufacturer | Primary User | Note | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stielhandgranate Model 1924 | Various | Wehrmacht Heer | The standard grenade of the Wehrmacht and germany army during WW2. | ||
Stielhandgranate "Geballte Ladung" | Various | Wehrmacht Heer | An anti-tank variant of the Stielhandgranate Model 1924. | ||
Stielhandgranate Model 1943 | Various | Wehrmacht Heer | - | ||
Blendkörper 1H | Various | Wehrmacht | A non-lethal smoke grenade that was developed by Germany and used by the Wehrmacht during WW2. | ||
Blendkörper 2H | Various | Wehrmacht | - | ||
Gewehr-Granatpatrone 40 | Various | Luftwaffe Fallschirmjäger | - | ||
Gewehr-Panzergranate | Various | Wehrmacht | - | ||
Gewehr-Sprenggranate | Various | Wehrmacht | - | ||
Gross Gewehr-Panzergranate | Various | Wehrmacht | - | ||
Gross Panzergranate 46 & 61 | Various | Waffen-SS | - | ||
Hafthohlladung | Various | Wehrmacht | - | ||
Eihandgranate Model 39 | Various | Wehrmacht | - | ||
Molotov Cocktail | Various | Wehrmacht Waffen-SS | - | ||
Panzerwurfkörper 42 | Various | Wehrmacht | The panzerwurfkörper 42 was designed to be fired from a Leuchtpistole. | ||
Panzerwurfmine | Various | Luftwaffe | - | ||
Propaganda-Gewehrgranate | Various | Wehrmacht | - | ||
Schießbecher | Various | Wehrmacht | - | ||
Sprengpatrone | Various | Wehrmacht | The sprengpatrone was designed to be fired from a Kampfpistole flare gun. | ||
Wurfgranate Patrone 326 | Various | Wehrmacht | The wurfgranate patrone 326 was designed to be fired from a Leuchtpistole | ||
Wurfkörper 361 | Various | Wehrmacht | The wurfkörper 361 was designed to be fired from a Leuchtpistole |
Mines and Anti-Tank Mines
Picture | Name | Manufacturer | Primary User | Note | References |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tellermine | Various | Wehrmacht | The standard mine of the Wehrmacht. | ||
Topfmine | Various | Wehrmacht | - | ||
Schrapnellmine | Various | Wehrmacht | Nicknamed the "bouncing betty" by the western front. | ||
Schu-mine 42 | Various | Wehrmacht | - | ||
Riegel mine 43 | Various | Wehrmacht | - | ||
Panzer stab 43 | Various | Wehrmacht | - | ||
Holzmine 42 | Various | Wehrmacht | - | ||
Anti-aircraft warfare is the counter to aerial warfareand it includes "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action". It includes surface based, subsurface, and air-based weapon systems, associated sensor systems, command and control arrangements, and passive measures. It may be used to protect naval, ground, and air forces in any location. However, for most countries, the main effort has tended to be homeland defence. Missile defence is an extension of air defence, as are initiatives to adapt air defence to the task of intercepting any projectile in flight.
The 8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37/41 is a German 88 mm anti-aircraft and anti-tank artillery gun, developed in the 1930s. It was widely used by Germany throughout World War II and is one of the most recognized German weapons of the conflict. The gun was universally known as the Acht-acht ("eight-eight") by the Germans and the "eighty-eight" by the Allies. Due to its lethality, especially as a tank killer, the eighty-eight was greatly feared by Allied soldiers.
The Flakpanzer IV "Ostwind" was a German self-propelled anti-aircraft gun based on the Panzer IV tank. It was developed in 1944 as a successor to the earlier Flakpanzer IV/2 cm VierlingWirbelwind.
The Sd.Kfz. 6 was a half-track military vehicle used by the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War. It was designed to be used as the main towing vehicle for the 10.5 cm leFH 18 howitzer.
The Flak 30 and improved Flak 38 were 20 mm anti-aircraft guns used by various German forces throughout World War II. It was not only the primary German light anti-aircraft gun but by far the most numerously produced German artillery piece throughout the war. It was produced in a variety of models, notably the Flakvierling 38 which combined four Flak 38 autocannons onto a single carriage.
The 3.7 cm Flak 18/36/37 was a series of anti-aircraft guns produced by Nazi Germany that saw widespread service in the Second World War. The cannon was fully automatic and effective against aircraft flying at altitudes up to 4,200 m. The cannon was produced in both towed and self-propelled versions. Having a flexible doctrine, the Germans used their anti-aircraft pieces in ground support roles as well; 37 mm caliber guns were no exception to that. With Germany's defeat, production ceased and, overall, 37 mm caliber anti-aircraft cannon fell into gradual disuse, being replaced by the Bofors 40 mm gun and later, by 35-mm anti-aircraft pieces produced in Switzerland.
The Sd.Kfz. 7 was a half-track military vehicle used by the German Army, Luftwaffe and Waffen-SS during the Second World War. Sd.Kfz. is an abbreviation of the German word Sonderkraftfahrzeug, "special purpose vehicle". A longer designation is mittlerer Zugkraftwagen 8t, Sd.Kfz. 7, "medium towing motor vehicle 8t".
The Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper was a German World War II half-track vehicle used in various roles between 1943 and 1945. The unarmored models were used as supply vehicles and as tractors to haul artillery. Armored versions mounted anti-aircraft guns or a 10 barrel rocket launcher (Nebelwerfer). Fewer than a thousand were built before the end of the war, but production continued after the war of an improved model in the Tatra plant in Czechoslovakia.
The 10.5 cm Flak 38 was a German anti-aircraft gun used during World War II by the Luftwaffe. An improved version was introduced as the 10.5 cm Flak 39.
The Sd.Kfz. 10 was a German half-track that saw widespread use in World War II. Its main role was as a prime mover for small towed guns, such as the 2 cm Flak 30, the 7.5 cm leIG, or the 3.7 cm Pak 36 anti-tank gun. It could carry eight troops in addition to towing a gun or trailer.
25 mm automatic air defense gun M1940 (72-K) was a Soviet 25 mm caliber anti-aircraft gun used during the World War II. The gun was developed from the end of 1939 to the beginning of 1940 at 8th Kalinin Artillery Plant under the guidance of its Chief Designer Mikhail Loginov, supervised by Lev Loktev. The cannon was given the factory code 72-K before being accepted into service by the Red Army as the 25 mm automatic air defense gun M1940.
The Gebirgsflak 38 was a German anti-aircraft weapon of World War II, a lightweight version of the 2 cm FlaK 38 designed for airborne and mountain troops as a dual-purpose gun for use against air and ground targets. The main difference was that the carriage was smaller and lighter than the carriage for the FlaK 38. The gun and carriage were designed to allow the weapon to be broken into several pack loads for transport. The carriage has two wheels and when raised the gun has a 360° traverse. Unlike the Flak 38, the light carriage is not designed for high towing speeds.
The Solothurn ST-5 is a 20 mm anti-aircraft gun designed by Waffenfabrik Solothurn in Switzerland which ultimately was the design basis for the highly successful 2 cm FlaK 30 series of guns used by Germany in World War II.
The Astra modelo 400 was a Spanish service pistol produced by weapons manufacturer Astra-Unceta y Cia SA as a replacement for the Campo-Giro 1913/1916, which had also been chambered in 9mm Largo. It was the standard issue sidearm in the Spanish Army during the Spanish Civil War and also saw service in Germany during World War II.
The 7.5 cm kanon PL vz. 37 was a Czech anti-aircraft gun used in World War II. Those weapons captured after the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 were taken into Wehrmacht service as the 7.5 cm Flak M 37(t) or Flak Skoda. The Germans sold many of them to Italy where they were designated as the Cannone da 75/49 or 75/50. Surviving guns were taken back into German service after Italy's surrender in 1943. Twenty were sold to the Finns in November 1940. Twelve were in Luftwaffe service between April and September 1944.
The 12.8 cm FlaK 40 was a German anti-aircraft gun used in World War II. Although it was not produced in great numbers, it was reportedly one of the most effective heavy AA guns of its era.
The Zoo flak tower was a fortified flak tower that existed in Berlin from 1941 to 1947. It was one of several flak towers that protected Berlin from Allied bomber raids. Its primary role was as a gun platform to protect the government building district of Berlin; in addition, the Hochbunker (blockhouse) was designed to be used as a civilian air-raid shelter. It also contained a hospital and a radio transmitter for use by the German leadership and provided secure storage facilities for art treasures.
The 8.8 cm Flak 16 was a German 8.8 cm anti-aircraft gun from World War I, forerunner of the 8,8 cm FlaK/PaK Flak 18/36/37 of World War II. Its contemporary name was the 8,8 cm K.Zugflak L/45.
The 3.7 cm Flak 43 was a light anti-aircraft (AA) gun used by Nazi Germany during World War II. It was derived from the 3.7-centimeter (1.5 in) Flak 18/36/37 series of AA guns. It was provided with single- and twin-gun mounts, the latter being designated as the 3.7 cm Flak 43 Zwilling and was in service from 1944 to 1945. In addition to versions used by the Kriegsmarine, it served as the main armament of the Ostwind and Möbelwagen and was proposed for use in the Flakpanzer Coelian self-propelled AA guns.