FG 42

The FG 42 (Fallschirmjägergewehr 42, "parachute rifle 42" in German) was a selective fire combat rifle produced by Germany during World War II. The weapon was developed for the Fallschirmjäger (paratrooper hunters) who, within the Luftwaffe, needed a specific and light support weapon after their experience in the Battle of Crete.

History and development

Initially the paratroopers had to make do with a limited number of MG34 machine guns, which, even in its light machine gun configuration, were significantly heavy and bulky; and individual weapons such as the K98k and MP40. Consequently, the FG 42 was developed with the characteristic of being able to shoot in semi-automatic and automatic mode and also serve as a light support weapon, all with various folding elements (rear sight, front sight, bipod) adapted to the air-transportable and soldier launch. Its development was authorized by Hermann Göring.

After the introduction of the G41 and G43 semi-automatic rifles into the German Army (Heer) and Waffen SS, Göring—who at the time was supreme commander of the Luftwaffe—insisted that Fallschirmjäger be equipped with a weapon. advanced.

The requirements were that it be light enough so that the paratrooper could carry it when launching, that it incorporate a variable automatic firing system and that it function as a simple assault rifle if necessary. Six manufacturers were hired but only a few prototypes of those presented are known. The Rheinmetall-Borsig design, designed by Louis Stange, was accepted for mass production by Heinrich Krieghoff of Suhl and L.O. Dietrich of Altenburg.

Field tests

The FG 42 filled an important gap in the German arsenal and was well received by paratroopers when tested, but it had disadvantages. The FG 42 had a 20-round magazine, optionally 10, which was inserted into the left side of the weapon. Although the side magazine technique was common in submachine guns, this large magazine with heavy ammunition tended, due to its effect on the inertia of the bolt, to unbalance the alignment of the weapon. Additionally, it was difficult to control recoil with automatic fire; Although it used a complex muzzle brake-flame arrester to reduce recoil and flash, these effects were greater than those of other similar weapons.

The FG 42 fired in semi-automatic mode from a closed bolt, which gave it a certain precision. When the automatic mode was used, the weapon used the open bolt system, which somehow prevented the progressive heating of the barrel, preventing the chamber from overheating excessively and eventually affecting the powder or primer of the subsequent chambered cartridge.

Deployment

After producing about 2,000 FG 42s at the Krieghoff company, supplies of manganese steel were diverted to other needs. This meant a redesign to be able to use stamped steel sheet instead. Field reports also requested minor improvements, such as moving the bipod from the handguard to the end of the barrel, changing the angle of the grip making it almost vertical, lengthening the handguard, and replacing the metal stock with wood to reduce overheating.

By the time the FG 42 Model II was being developed, the war had changed significantly for the worse. Frequent Allied bombing prevented production and the only weapons that could be manufactured were made with low quality materials and poor production methods. In the end, only about 5,000 units of the new model were manufactured and a limited number of them ended up in the hands of the occupation troops.