WW2 German MP44 Semi-Auto 7.92×33 ( 8mm kurz ) Machine Gun with 30 Round Magazine By DK Production Group (Reproduction)
SKU: GERMAN MP44 SEMI-AUTO SUB MACHINE GUN BY DK
Type: Authentic Reproduction
Availability: In-Stock
Manufacturer: DK Production Group
Manufacturer's Code: DK-MP44
Model: MP44
Action Type: Semi-Auto
Serial Number: 192A-44
Markings: Waffenamt Stamps
Caliber: 7.92×33 ( 8mm kurz )
Weight: 11.5 lbs
Overall Length: 37 inches (94cm)
Material: Milled Stee, Bakelite gripsl
Bore Condition: Mint/New
Over-All Condition: Mint/New
Feed System: 30-round detachable box magazine
Maximum Range: 300-500 meters
Price: $6,400.00
Seller Type: Classification: C&R / FFL
Seller ID: JMW
Seller Code: DK5000
Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Description
MP44 is D-K Production Group’s reproduction of the famous MP44, Sturmgewehr 44, considered to be the first successful assault rifle. It fires 7.92×33 (8mm kurz) rounds, from a 30-round magazine. Make sure this rifle is legal in your state, before placing an order.
History
The MP44, more accurately designated as the Sturmgewehr 44 (StG 44), is widely regarded as the world’s first true assault rifle, a groundbreaking development in infantry weaponry during World War II. Developed and deployed by Nazi Germany, the MP44 was a response to the limitations of both bolt-action rifles and submachine guns on the modern battlefield.
Development and Design
- Origins: The concept for the MP44 emerged from the need for a versatile infantry weapon that combined the range and accuracy of a rifle with the rapid-fire capability of a submachine gun. Earlier prototypes, including the MKb 42(H) and MP43, laid the groundwork for the MP44's final design.
- Designer: Primarily developed by Hugo Schmeisser at C.G. Haenel.
- Caliber: 7.92×33mm Kurz intermediate cartridge, designed to offer controllable recoil in fully automatic fire while maintaining effective range.
- Action: Gas-operated, tilting bolt.
- Rate of Fire: Approximately 500-600 rounds per minute.
- Magazine: 30-round detachable box magazine.
- Effective Range: 300-500 meters.
- Weight: Approximately 5.22 kg (11.5 lbs) loaded.
Historical Impact
The MP44 was revolutionary in bridging the gap between rifles and submachine guns, influencing the post-war development of virtually all modern infantry rifles. It offered German soldiers superior firepower in close and medium-range engagements, particularly on the Eastern Front where rapid maneuver warfare and close combat were prevalent.
However, the production was initially hindered by political opposition. Adolf Hitler, initially skeptical of the intermediate cartridge concept, delayed the program. To bypass this, early models were labeled as "MP" (Maschinenpistole) to disguise their true nature as an assault rifle. Once field reports praised its effectiveness, Hitler approved full production under the Sturmgewehr designation.
Key Features
- Selective Fire: Offered both semi-automatic and fully automatic modes, giving soldiers tactical flexibility.
- Robust Construction: Despite wartime material shortages, the MP44 was a reliable, durable weapon.
- Pioneering Design: Its architecture directly influenced later designs like the Soviet AK-47 and other modern assault rifles.
Legacy
The MP44 Sturmgewehr changed infantry combat forever, marking the beginning of the modern era of small arms. Its intermediate cartridge, selective fire capability, and overall design philosophy became the blueprint for future assault rifles worldwide.
Today, surviving MP44 rifles are highly sought after by collectors and military historians, prized for their innovation and historical significance.
