Germany

HK21 or Portuguese m/968: The H&K G3 Grows into a Light Machine Gun

September 4, 2024 Ian McCollum 27

When Heckler & Koch produced the iconic G3 rifle, it was intended to be a parts of a complete small arms package. The G3 was the infantry rifle, and it was paired with the MP% […]

H&K USC: Civilian Version of the UMP Submachine Gun

August 21, 2024 Ian McCollum 26

Heckler & Koch introduced the UMP submachine gun as a successor to the MP5, with a particular focus on American law enforcement agencies (hence its initial development in .45 ACP). The UMP never has come […]

History of the Krummlauf Device: Hitler’s Folly (One of Many)

July 7, 2024 Ian McCollum 48

Today we are taking a look at the backstory of the famously recognizable Krummlauf device, the curved barrel attachment for the StG-44. It is really a perfect example of how German late-war desperation weapons took […]

BUG Match Pickelhaube Edition: German 1883 Reichsrevolver

May 25, 2024 Ian McCollum 5

Today I took a Model 1883 Reichsrevolver out to the monthly BackUp Gun Match. This is an 1894-manufactured gun (made at the Erfurt Arsenal). It is a single action only, six-shot revolver chambered for the […]

MG08: The Devil’s Paintbrush

May 6, 2024 Ian McCollum 16

The MG08 was the German Army standard Maxim gun in World War One. The Germany Navy adopted the Maxim first in 1894, followed by the Army in 1899, then a new pattern in 1901, and […]

Maxims in the Skies: the German LMG 08/15

April 24, 2024 Ian McCollum 9

As soon as the MG08/15 “light” machine gun was adopted by Germany, it was recognized as an ideal basis for an aircraft gun. Weight was of the essence for WW1 aircraft, and a lightened Maxim […]

Book Review: Vickers Guide H&K Volume 2 (SMG & PDW)

March 30, 2024 Ian McCollum 4

Available direct from Vickers Guide: https://www.vickersguide.com/hk-vol-2 Or from Headstamp Publishing: https://www.headstamppublishing.com/purchase?tag=hkv2 About a year ago Larry Vickers and James Rupley published the first volume of a series on H&K firearms, beginning with handguns. After some […]