Gerat 06: Germany’s Incremental Steps Towards Roller Delay

The Gerät 06 is one of the steps in the development of the roller delay system that became H&K. The initial experiments involved replacing the flaps in a G43 rifle bolt with simpler rollers. In addition to making this as an experimental system in 8x57mm, Mauser also made a model in 8x33mm – and this is the Gerät 06. It is roller locked and gas operated, with a short stroke piston inside the handguard. Only a few of these were made before it was deprioritized in favor of the roller delayed Gerät 06H. This example was captured by American forces at the end of World War Two, and today resides in the Springfield Armory collection. It is unfortunately missing its stock and bolt assembly.

Thanks to the Springfield Armory National Historic Site for giving me access to this truly unique specimen from their reference collection to film for you! Don’t miss the chance to visit the museum there if you have a day free in Springfield, Massachusetts:
https://www.nps.gov/spar/index.htm

26 Comments

  1. Wee’ish drones would have been much better, could have done some “aiming” with engine cut outs at a range; like happened later, but they are just more accurate these days – And small, drones, well dread to think. Anyway, times have changed.

    • Guns give off heat, will wee, wee drones become extremely accurate shrapnel… And what to do, umbrellas, you fire at them, what? Looks a big change this.

      • Suppose I said that on this thread, because do guns per se matter now. “I read everything this site ever said about gerats” Guns. They must… But, do they…

        • Shocks me really the potential, say you as a traditional Infantry chap with say an AR “Full auto” be hard to hit, wee… What are they; robots…

          • Mounting guns to drones; I think I petsonally have the lightest gun possible or one of – Potentially designed, but is it cheaper than swarm explosive drones. Drones as accurate shrapnel depositers… Different scenarios. Makes wee nuke use more likely maybe; I mentioned fuel air bombs to disrupt the air to fly in
            alternatively… Other methods. Batteries eh, one in my shaver; never realised.

          • I suppose I mean, overall, right; in the situation any Gerat came about in ww2 Germany losing – If they could, would they have gone drones or guns.

          • Fairly fundemental question that now, what is, could be, more effective. Rifles – Any Gerat you dream of which is perfect, or resources into mini flying things. Both maybe, but, easier said than done. And if done, my god what are the ways to resist them going to be. What could work in a war of mass use… See, troubles me that; air burst nukes – They’ll be that “Good” what else can you do.

    • There was the obscure inventor, one Captain Yossarian, who theories about the possibilities of his Le Page glue gun, designed to stick together entire bomber formation in flight

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