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FG-42
| FG-42-1 | FG-42-2 | |
| Caliber | 7.92x57mm | |
| Overall length | 937 mm | 1060 mm |
| Barrel length | 508 mm | 525 mm |
| Operation | Gas operated | Gas operated |
| Weight, empty | 4.38 kg | 5.05 kg |
| Rate of fire | 900 rounds per minute | 600 rounds per minute |
| Magazine capacity | 10 or 20 rounds | |
The FG-42, aka the Fallschirmjägergewehr-42 was probably one of the most interesting weapons of WWII. The FG-42 was specifically designed for the paratroopers of Nazi Germany. During the first years of the war, German FJ were equipped with normal small arms, such as the K98, the MP40, MG34, etc. The FJ needed a new type of machinegun, one that could use the same ammunition as their rifles because since they were almost always dropped behind enemy lines. In early 1942 the Rheinmetall-Borsig and the Krieghoff began the development of the requested weapon. This weapon was meant to replace, the K98, the MP-40, and the MG's, but obviously never happened. Both companies submitted an example of their weapon, but only the Rheinmetall prototype, developed under the leadership of the Louis Stange, was selected as the winner. But Rheinmetall was already very busy producing weapons for the German military, the contract to produce this weapon was given to the Krieghoff factory. The first model of this weapon was called the FG-41-1. It was light weight, so light that it could not handle the full power of the 7.92x57mm round. It was also very complicated to manufacture in large numbers. The Germans then came up with the 2nd model, named the FG-42-2 which was produced in 1944. Even though this model was heaver and longer, it was still almost impossible to fire in fully auto, even with the bipod, and still was expensive to manufacture. Even though it is an interesting try at making a great weapon, overall it was a waste to Germany, and had no impact in the post-war world on weapons manufacturing.
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