Another pair of transitional Bergmann transitional prototypes today, this time ones that sit between the 1896 and 1897 designs (No2/3/4 and No5). One of these is basically an 1896 frame with an 1897 upper assembly and locking system, while the other is basically an 1896 action with an 1897 grip frame and stock attachment socket. Their serial numbers indicate that they were actually part of standard production, although they do not conform to the standards of the 1896 and 1897 models.
Artillery
Granatenwerfer 16
Developed from a weapon originally designed by a priest, of all people, in the Austro-Hungarian army, the Granatenwerfer 16 was a German WWI grenade thrower which bridged the gap between hand-thrown grenades and the light […]
Select-fire Rifles
FG-42: Perhaps the Most Impressive WW2 Shoulder Rifle
The first production version of the FG42 used a fantastically complex milled receiver and a distinctive sharply swept-back pistol grip. A contract to make 5,000 of them was awarded to Krieghoff in late spring of […]
Semiauto Rifles
Vintage Saturday: More Spoils
German soldiers with captured American small arms, circa 1944. The other guy’s stuff is always better than yours, right? Well, I would rather have an M1 than a K98k, but the Thompsons? No thanks. Interesting […]
Is it not surprising that Schmeisser was hesitant to go with detachable magazines? Detachable box magazines add costs and require another control function on the gun in order to work in the full assembly… or am I wrong?
And also might lead to jam, if not seated at proper depth and/or canted.