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List of German military equipment of World War II

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This page contains a list of equipment used the German military of World War II. Germany used a number of type designations for their weapons. In some cases, the type designation and series number (i.e. FlaK 30) are sufficient to identify a system, but occasionally multiple systems of the same type are developed at the same time and share a partial designation.[1]

Personal arms and captured arms

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Knives and bayonets

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Image Name/designation Type Role/s Length From (year) Notes
Seitengewehr 42 Combat knife, bayonet Close combat 17.95 cm (7.07 in) 1944 Never produced in large quantities
S84/98 III bayonet Combat knife, bayonet 25.1 cm (9.9 in) 1935
Seitengewehr 98 Combat knife, bayonet Close combat 50 cm (20 in) 1898 First incorporated into the German army as a bayonet for the Mauser M1898 rifle

Small arms

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Revolvers, pistols, and pistol carbines (manual and semi-automatic)

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Image Name/designation Type Role/s Action Origin Variant/s Base model/s Manufacturer/s Cartridge/s Effective firing range
(m)
From (year) Estimated wartime quantity Unloaded mass
(kg)
Notes
Bodeo M1889 Revolver Sidearm Double action  Kingdom of Italy Type A Enlisted model and Type B officer's model - Societa Siderurgica Glisenti 10.35mm Ordinanza Italiana 1889 ? 0.950 During World War II, the Wehrmacht designated the Bodeo as Revolver 680(i) when utilized as an alternative firearm.
''Lebel'' Modèle 1892 Revolver Sidearm Double action, single action  French Third Republic - - Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne 8mm French Ordnance 1892 ? 0.85 Designated as Revolver 637(f)
Beretta M1934 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback-operated  Kingdom of Italy - - Beretta .380 ACP 1934 ? Designated as Pistole 671(i)
Beretta M1935 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback-operated  Kingdom of Italy - - Beretta .32 ACP 1935 ? Designated as Pistole 672(i)
Webley revolver Revolver Sidearm Double action, single action  United Kingdom MK I, MK I, MK III, MK IV, MK V and MK VI - Webley & Scott .455 Webley,
.45 ACP
1887 ? 2.4 Designated as Revolver 646(e) for the MK I to Revolver 655(e) for the MK VI.
- Pistole vz. 22 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Short recoil, rotating barrel  Czechoslovakia - - Zbrojovka Brno,
Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod
.380 ACP 1921 ? 0.67 Captured after the defeat of Czechoslovakia and used in very limited numbers. The destination for the pistol is still unknown.
Pistole vz. 24 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback-operated, rotating barrel  Czechoslovakia - - Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod,
Böhmische Waffenfabrik (Under German Occupation)
.380 ACP 1923 ? 0.67 Designated as Pistole 24(t)
ČZ vz. 27 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback-operated, rotating barrel  Czechoslovakia - Pistole vz. 24 Česká zbrojovka,
Böhmische Waffenfabrik (Under German Occupation)
.32 ACP 1939 ? 0.67 Designated as Pistole 27(t)
ČZ vz. 38 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback-operated  Czechoslovakia - - Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod .380 ACP 1939 ? Designated as Pistole 39(t)
Nagant M1895 Revolver Sidearm Double action, single action  Russian Empire,
 Belgium
Various - Various 7.62×38mmR 1895 ? Designated as Revolver 612(r)
TT pistol Pistol Close-quarters/sidearm Short recoil actuated, locked breech, single action  Soviet Union Various - Various 7.62x25mm Tokarev
9x19mm Parabellum
1930 ? Designated as Pistole 615(r) and used by the Army and the Volkssturm.
Dreyse M1907 Pistol Close-quarters/sidearm Blowback-operated, unlocked breech  German Empire K. Sachs. Gend and Dreyse Rheinmetal ABT. Sommerda - Rheinmetall .32 ACP 25 1905 ? 0.710 Used by the Volkssturm and the Volksgrenadier units in 1943–1945.
Luger P08 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Short recoil, toggle-locked  German Empire Various Borchardt C-93 Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, Mauser 7.65×21mm Parabellum,
9×19mm Parabellum
50 1900 3,000,000 0.871
Lange Pistole 08 Pistol carbine Close-quarters, sidearm Short recoil, toggle-locked  German Empire Various Borchardt C-93 Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, Mauser 7.65×21mm Parabellum,
9×19mm Parabellum
1913 2,000 Used by Artillerymen in the German Army and Waffen-SS units, and these continued in use until the end of the war in 1945.
Luger M1900 Carbine Pistol carbine Close-quarters, sidearm Short recoil, toggle-locked  German Empire Various Borchardt C-93 Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken, Mauser 7.65×21mm Parabellum,
9×19mm Parabellum
1900 ? Used in very limited numbers during the late 1943 until the demise of the Nazi Germany in 1945.
Mauser C96 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Short recoil  German Empire Various - Mauser 7.63×25mm Mauser,
9×19mm Parabellum
1896 1,100,000+ 1.13 19,000 Mauser C96 were used by the Army in 1942–1945 and the government purchased 7,800 Mauser M1930 variants for the Luftwaffe.
Mauser HSc Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback-operated  Nazi Germany HSc Super - Mauser .32 ACP,
.380 ACP
40 1935 251,988 0.700
Mauser M1914 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Recoil Operation  German Empire,
 Nazi Germany
Model 1910 and Model 1934 - Mauser .25 ACP (M1910),
.32 ACP
1910 3,455 Used mostly by the German police and the Kriegsmarine.
Sauer 38H Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Straight blowback  Nazi Germany - - Sauer .25 ACP,
.32 ACP,
.380 ACP
25 1938 200,000 0.705
Steyr M1912 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Recoil-operated  Austria-Hungary Doppelpistole M1912

and Repetierpistole M1912/P16

Roth–Steyr M1907 Steyr 9mm Luger,
9mm Steyr
50 1912 ? 1.2 Converted to 9mm Parabellum as the P12(ö)
Radom vz. 35 Vis Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Recoil-operated, closed bolt  Poland - Browning Hi-Power FB Radom 9×19mm Parabellum 1939 ? 0.950 Occupied Polish production
Volkspistole Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback-operated  Nazi Germany - - Walther,
Mauser, Gustloff
9×19mm Parabellum 50 1945 16~ 1.088 Prototype semi-automatic pistol.
Walther P38 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Short recoil, locked breech  Nazi Germany Various - Walther, Mauser, Spreewerk 9×19mm Parabellum 50 1939 1,000,000 0.800 Standard issue pistol during World War II
Walther PP Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Straight blowback  Weimar Republic Various - Walther .32 ACP,
.380 ACP,
.22 LR,
.25 ACP,
9×18mm Ultra
1929 ?
Walther PPK Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Straight blowback  Weimar Republic Various Walther PP Walther .32 ACP,
.380 ACP,
.22 LR,
.25 ACP,
9×18mm Ultra
1929 ? Shorter version of the Walther PP.
Walther Model 7 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback-operated  German Empire - - Walther .25 ACP 1915 ? Used by the Luftwaffe, Tank crews and even the Waffen-SS, served with the model 8.
Walther Model 8 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback-operated  Weimar Republic - - Walther .25 ACP 1920 ? Used by the Luftwaffe, tank crews and even the Waffen-SS, served with the model 7.
Walther Model 9 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback-operated  Weimar Republic - - Walther .25 ACP 1921 ? Used by Tank crews as their pocket pistol.
Astra 300 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback/single  Francoist Spain - Astra 400 Astra-Unceta y Cia SA 9mm Largo 1941 85,000 0.641 Imported from Spain
Astra 400 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback/single  Francoist Spain Various - Astra-Unceta y Cia SA 9mm Largo 1921 6,000~ 1.14 Imported from Spain
Astra 600 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback-operated  Francoist Spain - Astra 400 Astra-Unceta y Cia SA 9×19mm Parabellum 1944 11,000~ 1.08 Imported from Spain
Astra 900 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Short recoil  Francoist Spain - Mauser C96 Astra-Unceta y Cia SA 9x19 Parabellum 1944 1050~ Imported from Spain
Browning Hi-Power Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Short recoil, tilting barrel  United States
 Belgium
Various - Fabrique Nationale *7.65×21mm Parabellum,
9×19mm Parabellum,
.40 S&W
50 1940 300,000+ 1.00 Occupied Belgian production
FÉG 37M Pistol Close-quarters/sidearm Blowback-operated  Kingdom of Hungary P.Mod 37.Kal 7.65 variant (German issue) Frommer 29M Fémáru, Fegyver és Gépgyár (FÉG) .380 ACP, .32 ACP 1937 ? 0.770 Imported from Hungary
Star Model B Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Short recoil, tilting barrel  Spain Various Colt M1911 Star Bonifacio Echeverria 9×19mm Parabellum 1922 ? Designated as Pistole Star Modell B (.08) and imported from Spain for the Luftwaffe during the Battle of France.
FN M1910 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback-operated  Belgium Various - Fabrique Nationale (FN) .380 ACP,
.32 ACP
1910 ? 0.590 Occupied Belgian production
FN M1922 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback-operated  Belgium Various - Fabrique Nationale (FN) .380 ACP,
.32 ACP
1922 ? 0.700 Occupied Belgian production
Kongsberg M1914 Colt Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Recoil-operated, closed bolt  Norway - Colt M1911 Kongsberg Vaapenfabrikk .45 ACP 1940 8200 Occupied Norwegian Production
MAB Model D Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Blowback-operated  France Type I and Type II - Manufacture d'armes de Bayonne 7.65×17mm Browning SR
.380 ACP
1933 ? Occupied France Production
Pistolet Modèle 1935A Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Short recoil  France - - Manufacture d'armes de Bayonne 7.65x20mm Long 1935 ? Occupied France Production and designated as Pistole 625(f).
Colt M1911/A1 Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Short recoil  United States Various - Colt Manufacturing Company .45 ACP 1911 ? Designated as Pistole 660(a).
M1917 Revolver Revolver Sidearm Double-action  United States Slightly differing versions of the M1917 were made by Colt and Smith & Wesson - Smith & Wesson,
Colt Manufacturing Company
.45 ACP 1917 ? Designated as Revolver 661(a) for the Smith & Wesson version and the Revolver 662(a) for the Colt version.

Automatic pistols and submachine guns

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Image Name/designation Type Role/s Action Origin Base model/s Manufacturer/s Cartridge/s Effective firing range (m) Cyclic rate of fire (round/min) From (year) Estimated wartime quantity Unloaded mass (kg) Notes
EMP 44 Submachine gun Close-quarters Straight blowback  Nazi Germany Erma Werke 9×19mm Parabellum 150–200 500 1943 ? 3.6 Prototype Submachine gun
Erma EMP Submachine gun Close-quarters Blowback  Weimar Republic Erma Werke 9×19mm Parabellum,
7.63×25mm Mauser,
9×23mm Largo,
7.65×21mm Parabellum
150 550 1931 10,000 4
MAS-38 Submachine gun Close-quarters Off-axis bolt-travel delayed blowback  France 7.65mm Longue 100 600–700 1938 ? 4.340
Astra 902 Machine Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Short recoil  Kingdom of Spain Astra-Unceta y Cia SA 7.63×25mm Mauser,
9mm Largo
150–200 900 1927 ? ? A fully automatic version of the Astra 900 pistol but it has a 20 rounds internal box magazine. In 1943, some delivered to the Wehrmacht.
Astra 904 Machine Pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Short recoil  Kingdom of Spain Astra-Unceta y Cia SA 7.63×25mm Mauser,
9mm Largo
150–200 900–1000 1927 ? 1.275 Another fully automatic version of the Astra 900 pistol but it has a 10 or 20 rounds detachable box magazine.
Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer Machine pistol Close-quarters, sidearm Short recoil  German Empire Mauser 7.63×25mm Mauser,
9×19mm Parabellum
150–200 900–1000 1896 ? 1.13 Approximately 1,235 Mauser M712 were used by the army and Waffen-SS, only 1,123 were used by the Luftwaffe and the Fallschirmjäger units as their survival or self-defense weapon.
Beretta Model 38 Submachine gun Close-quarters Blowback  Kingdom of Italy 9×19mm Parabellum 200 550–600 1938 ? 3.25–4.2 Used by the Wehrmacht and it variants
MP 18 Submachine gun Close-quarters Blowback, open-bolt  German Empire Bergmann Waffenfabrik 9×19mm Parabellum 200 350–500 1918 30,000 4.18 Used by the Waffen-SS in early 1930s and it was replaced by the MP 38. In mid 1944–1945 some were issued to the Volkssturm.
MP 28 Submachine gun Close-quarters Blowback, open-bolt  German Empire Bergmann Waffenfabrik 9×19mm Parabellum 200 550–600 1928 ? 4.0 Used by the Feldgendarmerie army and the Volkssturm.
MP 34 Submachine gun Close-quarters Blowback, open-bolt  Austria Waffenfabrik Steyr 9×19mm Parabellum,
9×23 Steyr,
9×25mm Mauser,
7.63×25mm Mauser,
.45 ACP,
7.65×21mm Parabellum
150–200 600 1929 ? 4.25 Used by Waffen-SS and the Wehrmacht
MP 35 Submachine gun Close-quarters Blowback, open-bolt  Nazi Germany Bergmann,
Schultz & Larsen
9×19mm Parabellum 150–200 540 1935 40,000 4.24 Used by the Waffen-SS and the Wehrmacht
MP 38 Submachine gun Close-quarters Straight blowback, open bolt  Nazi Germany Steyr-Mannlicher,
Erma Werke,
Haenel
9×19mm Parabellum 550 1938 1,109~ Used by the Waffen-SS, Feldgendarmerie, Army and the Volkssturm
MP 40 Submachine gun Close-quarters Straight blowback, open bolt  Nazi Germany Steyr-Mannlicher,
Erma Werke,
Haenel
9×19mm Parabellum 100–200 500–550 1940 1,100,000~ 3.97
MP 41 Submachine gun Close-quarters Straight blowback, open bolt  Nazi Germany Steyr-Mannlicher,
Erma Werke,
Haenel
9×19mm Parabellum 550 1941 ?
MP 3008 Submachine gun Close-quarters Blowback, open-bolt  Nazi Germany 9×19mm Parabellum 100 450 1945 10,000 3.2
Suomi KP/-31 Submachine gun Close-quarters Straight blowback  Finland Tikkakoski 9×19mm Parabellum 200 750–900 1931 ? 4.6 Imported from Finland.[2]
Danuvia 39M Submachine gun Close-quarters Lever-delayed blowback  Kingdom of Hungary 9×25mm Mauser 750 1939 ? 4.4 Imported from Hungary.[3]
Orița M1941 Submachine gun Close-quarters Blowback  Kingdom of Romania 9×19mm Parabellum 200 400–600 1943 ? 4 Imported from Romania.[4]
ZK-383 Submachine gun Close-quarters Blowback  Czechoslovakia 9×19mm Parabellum 250 500–700 1938 ? 4.83 Occupied Czech production.
PPD-34/38 Submachine gun Close-quarters Blowback, open bolt  Soviet Union 7.62×25mm Tokarev 250 800–1000 1934 ? Designated as Maschinenpistole 715(r).
PPD-40 Submachine gun Close-quarters Blowback, open bolt  Soviet Union 7.62×25mm Tokarev 250 800–1000 1940 ? Designated as Maschinenpistole 716(r).
MP 41(r) Submachine gun Close-quarters Blowback, open bolt  Soviet Union 7.62×25mm Tokarev,
7.63×25mm Mauser,
9×19mm Parabellum
1250 1941 ? Captured PPSh-41 converted to 9×19mm Parabellum caliber for use by German forces.
PPSh-41 Submachine gun Close-quarters Blowback, open bolt  Soviet Union 7.62×25mm Tokarev,
7.63×25mm Mauser
9×19mm Parabellum
1250 1941 ? Captured, unconverted PPSh-41 placed in German service and supplied with 7.63×25mm Mauser ammunition and designated as Maschinenpistole 717(r).

Rifles

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Image Name/designation Type Role/s Action Origin Manufacturer/s Cartridge/s Effective firing
range (m)
From (year) Estimated
wartime quantity
Unloaded mass
(kg)
Notes
Gewehr 41(M) Rifle Front-line, assault Bolt-action, gas trap, rotating-bolt  Nazi Germany Mauser 7.92×57mm Mauser 400 1941 6,673 4.9
Gewehr 41(W) Rifle Front-line/assault Gas trap, flapper locking  Nazi Germany Walther 7.92×57mm Mauser 400 1941 145,000 4.9
Gewehr 43 Rifle Front-line/assault Short-stroke piston, flapper locking  Nazi Germany Walther 7.92×57mm Mauser 500 1943 402,713 4.4
Gewehr 43 sniper rifle Sniper rifle Long-range precision Short-stroke piston, flapper locking  Nazi Germany Walther 7.92×57mm Mauser 800 1943 53,435 4.4
Gewehr 98 Rifle Front-line infantry Bolt action  German Empire Mauser 7.92×57mm Mauser 500 1898 9,000,000+ 4.09
Karabiner 98a Carbine Front-line Bolt action  German Empire Mauser 7.92×57mm Mauser 1908 1,500,000
Karabiner 98b Rifle Front-line Bolt action  German Empire Mauser 7.92×57mm Mauser 1923 ?
Gewehr 98 sniper rifle Sniper rifle Long-range precision Bolt action  German Empire Mauser 7.92×57mm Mauser 800≥ 1935 15,000 4.09
HIW VSK Rifle Front-line infantry Bolt-action  Nazi Germany Hessische Industrie Werke 7.92×57mm Mauser 1944 ?
HIW VSK Carbine Carbine Front-line infantry Blow forward  Nazi Germany Hessische Industrie Werke 7.92×33mm Kurz 1944 ?
Karabiner 98k Rifle Front-line infantry Bolt-action  Nazi Germany Mauser 7.92×57mm Mauser 500 1935 14,000,000~ 4.1 Main German rifle during World War II
Karabiner 98k sniper rifle Sniper rifle Long-range precision Bolt-action  Nazi Germany Mauser 7.92×57mm Mauser 1000≥ 1935 132,000 4.1
M30 Luftwaffe drilling Combination rifle, shotgun Hunting/self-defence Blitz lock system  Nazi Germany Sauer 9.3x74mmR,
12 Gauge
1941 2456 3.4 Issued to Luftwaffe aircraft as survival weapon
Gewehr 98/40 (FÉG 35M) Rifle Front-line Bolt-action  Kingdom of Hungary 7.92×57mm Mauser 1941 138,000 3.98 Imported from Hungary
Gewehr 24(t) (vz. 24) Rifle Front-line infantry Bolt-action  Czechoslovakia Zbrojovka Brno 7.92×57mm Mauser,
7×57mm Mauser,
7.65×53mm Mauser
1939 330,000 4.2 Upgraded to Karabiner 98k standards, occupied Czech production
StG 44
(Sturmgewehr 44)
Assault rifle Front-line/assault Long-stroke piston, tilting-bolt  Nazi Germany Mauser 7.92×33mm Kurz 450 1945 425,977 4
vz. 33
as Gewehr 33(t)
Rifle Front-line infantry Bolt-action  Czechoslovakia Zbrojovka Brno 7.92×57mm Mauser 1939 131,503 3.1 Occupied Czech production

Grenades and grenade launchers

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Image Name/designation Type Origin Mass
(g)
Warhead Warhead mass
(g)
Detonation mechanism Maximum firing range
(m)
Estimated
wartime quantity
From (year) Notes
Blendkörper 1H Smoke grenade  Nazi Germany 370 Titanium tetrachloride 260
Blendkörper 2H Smoke grenade  Nazi Germany 480 Titanium tetrachloride (outer)
Calcium chloride
250 (outer)
25 (inner)
Gewehr-Granatpatrone 40 Shaped charge rifle grenade  Nazi Germany 250 RDX 175 Graze fuse 91
Gewehr-Panzergranate Shaped charge rifle grenade  Nazi Germany 515 TNT 50 Graze fuse 114
Gewehr-Sprenggranate Rifle grenade  Nazi Germany 260 PETN 31 Graze fuse 500
Gross Panzergranate 46 & 61 Shaped charge rifle grenade  Nazi Germany 410 (Pzgr 46)
580 (Pzgr 61)
TNT 146 (Pzgr 46)
246 (Pzgr 61)
Base fuse 180 (Pzgr 46)
200 (Pzgr 61)
Hafthohlladung Shaped charge anti tank grenade  Nazi Germany 3000 (H3 version)
3500 (H3.5 version)
553,900 1942
Kampfpistole Flare gun  Nazi Germany 1400 1939
Leuchtpistole 34 Flare gun  Nazi Germany 730 1934
Leuchtpistole 42 Flare gun  Nazi Germany 1120 1943
Model 24 Grenade Hand grenade  Weimar Republic 595 TNT 170 Friction igniter 1924
Model 39 grenade Hand grenade  Nazi Germany 230 Donarit - (relatively similar to amatol) 112 Instant, 1, 4.5, 7.5 or 10 second delay 1939
Model 43 Grenade[broken anchor] Hand grenade  Nazi Germany 1943
Molotov cocktail Hand thrown incendiary weapon Spain 1936
Panzerwurfkörper 42 HEAT Anti-tank grenade  Nazi Germany 600 60 Graze fuse 69
Panzerwurfmine Shaped charge hand thrown Anti-tank grenade  Nazi Germany 1360 500 203,800 1943
Propaganda-Gewehrgranate Rifle grenade  Nazi Germany 230 Propaganda leaflets 200 Time fuse 460
Schiessbecher Rifle grenade  Nazi Germany 750 280 1,450,114 1942
Sprengpatrone Rifle grenade  Nazi Germany 99 PETN 22 Nose fuse 180
Sturmpistole Flare gun  Nazi Germany 2500 180
Wurfgranate Patrone 326 Rifle grenade  Nazi Germany 91 TNT 7.1 Nose fuse 270
Wurfkörper 361 Rifle grenade  Nazi Germany 230 Amatol 110 Time fuse 78

Mines

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Recoilless rifles

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Flamethrowers

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Infantry rifles and machine guns

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Infantry rifles and dual-purpose machine guns

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Image Name/designation Type Role/s Action Origin Manufacturer/s Cartridge/s Effective firing range (m) Cyclic rate of fire (round/min) From (year) Estimated wartime quantity Unloaded mass (kg) Notes
- Barnitzke machine gun General-purpose machine gun Fire support, suppression, defense Delayed blowback  Nazi Germany 7.92×57mm Mauser ? Prototype machine gun
FG 42 Battle rifle, light machine gun Front-line, assault, fire support, suppression, defense Gas-operated, rotating bolt  Nazi Germany Rheinmetall,
Heinrich Krieghoff Waffenfabrik,
L. O. Dietrich
7.92×57mm Mauser 300–600 750–900 1943 7000 4.2–4.95
Grossfuss Sturmgewehr Assault rifle Front-line, assault Gas-delayed blowback  Nazi Germany Metall- und Lackwarenfabrik Johannes Großfuß 7.92×33mm Kurz 500–550 9 4.7 Prototype assault rifle
StG 44 Assault rifle Front-line, assault Long-stroke piston, tilting bolt, selective fire  Nazi Germany C. G. Haenel Waffen und Fahrradfabrik 7.92×33mm Kurz 300–600 500–600 1943 425,977 4.6
Knorr-Bremse 1935/36 Automatic rifle, light machine gun Fire support, suppression, defense Long-stroke piston, open bolt  Sweden Svenska Automatvapen AB 6.5×55mm Swedish 480 1940 ? 8.5
MG 08 Heavy machine gun Fire support, suppression, defense Short recoil, toggle locked  German Empire DWM,
Spandau and Erfurt arsenals
7.92×57mm Mauser,
7.65×53mm Mauser,
7x57mm Mauser,
13×92mm TuF (TuF variant)
100–2000 450–500 1908 ? 69
MG 13 General-purpose machine gun Fire support, suppression, defense Short recoil  Weimar Republic 7.92×57mm Mauser 100–2000 600 1930 ? 13.3
MG 15 General-purpose machine gun Fire support, suppression, defense Recoil-operated  Weimar Republic
 Nazi Germany
Rheinmetall 7.92×57mm Mauser 1000–1050 ? 12.4 Former aircraft gun
MG 30 General-purpose machine gun Anti-aircraft, airspace denial, fire support, suppression, defense Recoil-operated   Switzerland
 Austria
Steyr-Werke AG 7.92×57mm Mauser,
8×56mmR,
7×57mm Mauser
700–900 1930 ? 9.5
MG 34 General-purpose machine gun Anti-aircraft, airspace denial, fire support, suppression, defense Recoil-operated, open bolt, rotating bolt  Nazi Germany Rheinmetall-Borsig AG Soemmerda,
Mauserwerke AG,
Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG,
Waffenwerke Brünn
7.92×57mm Mauser 200–2000 600–1700 1935 577,120 12.1
MG 42 General-purpose machine gun Anti-aircraft, airspace denial, fire support, suppression, defense Recoil-operated, roller-locked  Nazi Germany Mauser,
Wilhelm Gustloff Stiftung,
Steyr-Daimler-Puch,
Großfuß AG,
MAGET
7.92×57mm Mauser 200–2000 900–1500 1942 423,600 11.6
MG 45 General-purpose machine gun Anti-aircraft, airspace denial, fire support, suppression, defense Roller-delayed blowback  Nazi Germany 7.92×57mm Mauser 200–732 1350–1800 1944 10 9 Prototype machine gun
- MG 39 Rh General-purpose machine gun Fire support, suppression, defense Gas-operated  Nazi Germany 7.92×57mm Mauser 100–1600 1937 ? 9.58
MG 81 General-purpose machine gun Anti-aircraft, airspace denial, fire support, suppression, defense Recoil-operated  Nazi Germany 7.92×57mm Mauser 200-800 1400–1600 1940 ? 6.5 Former aircraft mounted weapon
Schwarzlose MG M.07/12 Medium machine-gun Fire support, suppression, defense Toggle-delayed blowback  Austria-Hungary Steyr 8×50mmR Mannlicher,
8×56mmR,
7.92×57mm Mauser,
6.5×53mmR,
6.5×55mm,
7.62×54mmR,
.303 British
400–880 1908 ? 41.4
VMG 1927 General-purpose machine gun Fire support, suppression, defense Short recoil  Weimar Republic 8×57mm IS 1927 ? 11.48
Wimmersperg Spz Substitute assault rifle, light machine gun Front-line, assault Gas-operated  Nazi Germany 7.92×33mm Kurz 400 1944 ? Prototype assault rifle
Sturmgewehr 45K Assault rifle Front-line, assault Gas-operated, tilting block bolt  Nazi Germany 7.92×33mm Kurz Unknown 450 1945 3 Prototype assault rifle
ZB vz. 26 General-purpose machine gun Fire support, suppression, defense Gas-operated, tilting breechblock  Czechoslovakia Zbrojovka Brno, Military Technical Institute Kragujevac 7.92×57mm Mauser 100–1000 500 1924 ? 9.65
ZB vz. 30 General-purpose machine gun Fire support, suppression, defense Gas-operated, tilting breechblock  Czechoslovakia Zbrojovka Brno, Military Technical Institute Kragujevac 7.92×57mm Mauser 100–1000 550–650 1930 ? 9.10
ZB-53 Medium machine gun Anti-aircraft, airspace denial, fire support, suppression, defense Gas-operated  Czechoslovakia Zbrojovka Brno 7.92×57mm Mauser 500–800 1936 ? 21

Vehicle and aircraft machine guns

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Image Name/designation Type Action Application/s Origin Base model/s Manufacturer/s Cartridge/s From (year) Unloaded mass (kg) Notes
MG 15 Light machine gun Recoil operated  Nazi Germany MG 30 Rheinmetall 7.92×57mm Mauser 1932 12.4
MG 17 Light machine gun Recoil operated, closed bolt aircraft  Nazi Germany MG 30 Rheinmetall-Borsig 7.92×57mm Mauser 1934 10.2
MG 81 Light machine gun Recoil-operated aircraft  Nazi Germany MG 34 7.92×57mm Mauser 1940 6.5
MG 131 Heavy machine gun Recoil operated, short recoil, closed bolt aircraft  Nazi Germany 13×64mmB 1940 16.6
MG 151/15 Autocannon  Nazi Germany Waffenfabrik Mauser AG 15×96mm cartridge 1940 42.7
MG 151/20 Autocannon  Nazi Germany Waffenfabrik Mauser AG 20×82mm cartridge 1941 42
Mauser MG 213 Autocannon Gas operated, single-barrel 5-rounds revolver  Nazi Germany 20×146mm cartridge 1944 75
Mauser MK 213 Autocannon Gas operated, single-barrel 5-rounds revolver  Nazi Germany 30×146mm cartridge 1944 75
MG FF Autocannon API blowback aircraft  Nazi Germany Oerlikon FF F cannon 20×80mm RB 1936 26.3
MK 101 Autocannon Recoil operated  Nazi Germany 30x184B 1940 139
MK 103 Autocannon Gas operated, recoil operated  Nazi Germany MK 101 30x184B 1943 141
MK 108 Autocannon API blowback  Nazi Germany 30×90RB 1943 58
MK 112 [de] (55mm aircraft cannon) Autocannon  Nazi Germany 55mm 1945 271
MK 214A Autocannon  Nazi Germany Fixed QF 50×419mmR
Schräge Musik Autocannon  Nazi Germany
BK 3.7 Anti-tank autocannon Short recoil  Nazi Germany 37×263mm 1942 295
BK 5 Anti-tank autocannon  Nazi Germany Fixed QF 50×419mmR 1943 540
BK 7.5 Anti-tank autocannon  Nazi Germany Fixed QF 75×714mmR

Artillery

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Demolition charges

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Infantry mortars

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Heavy mortars and rocket launchers

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Field artillery

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Fortress and siege guns

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Anti-tank guns

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Anti-tank weapons (besides anti-tank guns)

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Anti-aircraft weapons

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Light anti-aircraft guns

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Heavy anti-aircraft guns

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Vehicles

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Nazi Germany had captured many models of foreign equipment. In the list below, only most prominent captured models are listed. For full listing of captured vehicles see List of foreign vehicles used by Nazi Germany in World War II

Tankette

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  • AMR 35 – captured from French, some converted to mortar carrier

Tanks

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Image Name/designation Type Origin Manufacturer/s Main armament Secondary armament From (year) Estimated
wartime quantity
Mass
(t)
Notes
Stridsvagn L-5 Light tank  Sweden AB Landsverk 37mm cannon 2 x 7.92mm MG 13 light machine guns 1929 5 7 Incomplete prototype
Leichttraktor Light tank  Weimar Republic Krupp, Rheinmetall 3.7 cm KwK L/45 7.92×57mm Mauser Dreyse machine gun, cloth belt drum magazine (100 rounds) supply 1930 4 8.7 (Krupp)
8.96 (Rheinmetall)
Used for training only
Grosstraktor Medium Tank  Weimar Republic Krupp, Rheinmetall, Daimler 75 mm KwK 3× 7.92 mm MG (coaxial, hull and sub-turret) 1929 6 16 (Rheinmetall, Daimler)
16.4 (Krupp)
Used for training only
Panzer I Light tank  Nazi Germany Krupp, Henschel, Daimler, MAN 2 × 7.92 mm MG 13 machine guns - 1934 1659 5.4
Panzer II Light tank  Nazi Germany 1 × 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 Ausf. a–F
1 × 2 cm KwK 38 L/55 Ausf. J–L
1 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 1936 1,856 8.9
Škoda T-15 Light tank  Slovakia Škoda 1 × 3.7 cm KwK 38(t) L/47 1 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 1936 5 - Slovak alternative to the Panzer II. 5 prototypes built
Panzerkampfwagen II mit Schwimmkörper (Panzer II with floats) Light tank  Nazi Germany 1 × 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 Ausf. a–F
1 × 2 cm KwK 38 L/55 Ausf. J–L
1 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 1936 8.9
VK 16.02 Leopard Light tank  Nazi Germany MAN, MIAG, Daimler 5 cm KwK 39 (planned) 1 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 0 21.9
Neubaufahrzeug Medium Tank  Nazi Germany Krupp, Rheinmetall 7.5 cm KwK 37 3.7 cm KwK 36
3 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
1935 5 23.41
Panzer 35(t) Light tank  Czechoslovakia Škoda, ČKD 3.7 cm (1.5 in) KwK 34(t) gun 2 x 7.92 mm (0.3 in) MG 37(t) machine gun 1936 434 10.5


Panzer 38(t) Light tank  Czechoslovakia ČKD 37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.8 2× 7.92 mm ZB-53 (MG 37(t)) machine guns 1939 1414 9.85
Sd.Kfz. 140/1 Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) mit 2 cm KwK 38 Light tank  Czechoslovakia ČKD 37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.8 2× 7.92 mm ZB-53 (MG 37(t)) machine guns 1939 9.85
Sd.Kfz. 140/1 Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) mit 7.5 cm KwK37 L/24 Light tank  Czechoslovakia ČKD 37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.8 2× 7.92 mm ZB-53 (MG 37(t)) machine guns 1939 9.85
Panzer III Medium Tank  Nazi Germany Daimler 1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf. A-G
1 × 5 cm KwK 38 Ausf. F-J
1 × 5 cm KwK 39 Ausf. J¹-M
1 × 7.5 cm KwK 37 Ausf. N
2–3 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 1939 5774 23.0
Panzerbeobachtungswagen III Medium Tank  Nazi Germany Daimler 1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf. A-G
1 × 5 cm KwK 38 Ausf. F-J
1 × 5 cm KwK 39 Ausf. J¹-M
1 × 7.5 cm KwK 37 Ausf. N
2–3 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 1939 23.0 Used for forward artillery observation
Tauchpanzer III – amphibious (snorkel-fitted) Panzer III Medium Tank  Nazi Germany Daimler 1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf. A-G
1 × 5 cm KwK 38 Ausf. F-J
1 × 5 cm KwK 39 Ausf. J¹-M
1 × 7.5 cm KwK 37 Ausf. N
2–3 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 1939 23.0 Converted to amphibious tank
Panzer IV Medium Tank  Nazi Germany Krupp, Vomag, Nibelungenwerk 1 x 7.5 cm (2.95 in) KwK 40 L/48 main gun 2 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 1939 8553 25.0
Panzerbeobachtungswagen IV (Pz. Beob. Wg. IV) Medium Tank  Nazi Germany Krupp, Vomag, Nibelungenwerk 1 x 7.5 cm (2.95 in) KwK 40 L/48 main gun 2 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 1939 25.0 Artillery spotter tank with special radio equipment
Panther Medium Tank  Nazi Germany MAN AG, Daimler, MNH [de] 1 x 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 2 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 1943 6000 44.8
Beobachtungspanzer Panther – artillery observer Medium Tank  Nazi Germany MAN AG, Daimler, MNH [de] 1 x 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 2 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34 1943 44.8 Used for forward artillery observation
Tiger I Heavy Tank  Nazi Germany Henschel 8.8 cm KwK 36 L/56
92 AP and HE rounds
7.92 mm MG 34 1942 1347 54.0
Tiger II Heavy Tank  Nazi Germany Henschel, Krupp 8.8 cm KwK 43 7.92 mm MG 34 1944 492 69.8
Panzer VII Löwe Super-Heavy Tank  Nazi Germany Krupp 10.5 cm (4.1 in) L/70 gun, *15 cm (5.9 in) L/38 gun or, 7.92 mm MG 34 or MG 42 0 70
Panzer VIII Maus Super-Heavy Tank  Nazi Germany Krupp, Alkett 128 mm (5 in) KwK 44 gun L/55 1 x 75 mm (3 in) KwK 44 gun L/36.5
1 x 7.92 mm (0.31 in) MG 34 machine gun
1944 2 188
Panzerkampfwagen E-100 Super-Heavy Tank  Nazi Germany Henschel 1 x 128mm KwK 44 L/55 gun 1 x 75mm KwK 44 L/24 gun
1 x 7.92mm MG34
1944 1 123 1 partial prototype

Self-propelled guns

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Tank-based

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Other

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  • Schlepper 25PS [et] – 37mm gun on Hanomag chassis
  • 7.7 cm FK WD Schlepper 50PS – 77mm gun on Hanomag chassis
  • Pz.Sph. 204(f) mit KwK 42 – gun on French Panhard 178 armoured car
  • 8.8 cm Flak 18 auf Zgkw 12 – AA gun in field gun mount on Sd.Kfz. 8 half-track chassis
  • 8.8 cm Flak 18 auf Zgkw 18 – AA gun in field gun mount on Sd.Kfz. 9 half-track chassis
  • Mittler Schutzenpanzerwagen S307(f) mit Reihenwerfer – mortar on French SOMUA MCG half-track truck chassis

Armored cars

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Armored carriers

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Engineering and command

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Trucks

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Passenger cars

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Motorcycles

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Motorcycles were often paired with a sidecar as a Wehrmachtsgespann [de].

Tractors and prime movers

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Miscellaneous vehicles

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Aircraft

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Secret weapons

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Radars

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Missiles and bombs

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Cartridges and shells

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "World War 2 Weapons". Military Dictionary. Archived from the original on 2008-12-06. Retrieved 2008-12-10.
  2. ^ John Walter, Guns of the Third Reich, Greenhill Books, 2004, p. 163
  3. ^ John Walter, Guns of the Third Reich, Greenhill Books, 2004, p. 163
  4. ^ John Walter, Guns of the Third Reich, Greenhill Books, 2004, p. 163
  5. ^ Panzerabwehrkanonen

Further reading

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  • Chamberlain, Peter; Gander, Terry (1975). Light and Medium Field Artillery. World War 2 Fact Files series. London: Macdonald and Jane's. ISBN 0356082156.
  • Frank, Reinhard (1994). Cars of the Wehrmacht: A Photo Chronicle. German Vehicles in World War II series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0887406874.
  • ——————— (1997). Trucks of the Wehrmacht: A Photo Chronicle. German Vehicles in World War II series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0887406866.
  • ——————— (1997). German Light Half-Tracked Prime Movers 1934-1945. Schiffer Military History series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0764302620.
  • ——————— (1997). German Medium Half-Tracked Prime Movers 1934-1945. Schiffer Military History series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0764302639.
  • ——————— (1997). German Heavy Half-Tracked Prime Movers 1934-1945. Schiffer Military History series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0764301675.
  • Gander, Terry; Chamberlain, Peter (1979). Weapons of the Third Reich: An Encyclopedic Survey of All Small Arms, Artillery, and Special Weapons of the German Land Forces, 1939-1945. Garden City, NY, USA: Doubleday. ISBN 0385150903.
  • —————— (2004). Heavy Artillery of World War II. Vital Guide series. Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1840374144.
  • Garson, Paul (2017). Two-Wheeled Blitzkrieg: German Wartime Motorcycles. Stroud, Gloucestershire, England: Amberley Publishing. ISBN 9781445672366.
  • Hinrichsen, Horst (1994). Motorcycles of the Wehrmacht: A Photo Chronicle. German Vehicles in World War II series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0887406858.
  • ———————— (1997). German Military Motorcycles in the Reichswehr and Wehrmacht 1934-1945. Schiffer Military History series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0764301926.
  • ———————— (2000). Heavy Sidecar Motorcycles of the Wehrmacht 1935-1945. Schiffer Military History series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0764312723.
  • Lepage, Jean-Denis (2007). German Military Vehicles of World War II: an illustrated guide to cars, trucks, half-tracks, motorcycles, amphibious vehicles and others. Jefferson, NC, USA: McFarland Books. ISBN 9780786428984.
  • Thomas, Paul (2018). German Reconnaissance and Support Vehicles 1939-1945: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives. Images of War series. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK: Pen & Sword Books. ISBN 9781526720894.
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