Germany

Optics on Sturmgewehrs: Was This Really A Thing?

May 26, 2023 Ian McCollum 16

We regularly see the MP43/44/StG44 portrayed with an optical sight (a ZF-4). But was this really something that the German Army actually issued? Well, in a word…no. The first iteration of the Sturmgewehr, the MKb-42(H), […]

PTR-44 Sturmgewehr at a 2-Gun Match

May 17, 2023 Ian McCollum 9

Today I’m taking the PTR-44 Sturmgewehr out to the local 2-Gun match. I’m excited to get a chance to run it in a competitive environment – I have shot some original StGs, but only on […]

“Alk” – A Unique German Target Pistol

March 27, 2023 Ian McCollum 15

This is a unique and interesting German proofed .22 rimfire target pistol. It uses a simple blowback slide, which locks open after each shot. It is striker fired, with a 12-inch barrel and a quite […]

VMP 1930 at the Range: does the Monopod Help?

March 18, 2023 Ian McCollum 15

Yesterday we took a look at the mechanics and history of Heinrich Vollmer’s 1930 pattern VMP, and today we have it out at the range. I’m curious is the mid-point monopod will actually help or […]

SMG With a Monopod? The Vollmer VMP-1930

March 17, 2023 Ian McCollum 12

In 1925, the German military began a series of secret SMG trials at the Kummersdorf testing grounds. One of the participants was Heinrich Vollmer. He was funded directly by the government for his small arms […]

FG-42: Perhaps the Most Impressive WW2 Shoulder Rifle

March 8, 2023 Ian McCollum 95

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 […]

Parabellum 1914/17: Germany’s Ultimate Aircraft Maxim

January 16, 2023 Ian McCollum 24

Forgotten Weapons merino wool hoodies from Varusteleka: https://www.varusteleka.com/en/product/forgotten-weapons-sarma-merino-wool-hoodie/72488 The DWM company in Germany had a license on the Maxim gun design prior to World War One. They produced the rather old-fashioned MG08 for the German […]