WW2 Machine Guns for Sale
World War II saw the rapid advancement and mass deployment of machine guns, which became essential battlefield weapons for infantry, armored vehicles, aircraft, and naval forces. Machine guns provided the high-volume, sustained fire necessary to dominate open spaces, suppress enemy troops, and defend strategic positions.
German Machine Guns
MG34 (Maschinengewehr 34)
Introduced: 1934
Caliber: 7.92×57mm Mauser
Rate of Fire: 800–900 rounds per minute
Overview: The MG34 was the world's first true general-purpose machine gun (GPMG), capable of both light and medium roles using different mounts. It offered exceptional versatility but was expensive and time-consuming to manufacture.
MG42 (Maschinengewehr 42)
Introduced: 1942
Caliber: 7.92×57mm Mauser
Rate of Fire: 1,200–1,500 rounds per minute
Overview: Nicknamed “Hitler’s Buzzsaw” for its incredibly high rate of fire, the MG42 became legendary for its reliability, durability, and terrifying sound. It was cheaper and faster to produce than the MG34 and remains one of the most influential machine gun designs in history.
United States Machine Guns
M1919 Browning
Introduced: 1919 (in WWI, widely used in WWII)
Caliber: .30-06 Springfield
Rate of Fire: 400–600 rounds per minute
Overview: The M1919 was a reliable, belt-fed, air-cooled machine gun used extensively by U.S. forces in ground combat, mounted on vehicles, and on aircraft. It was the standard medium machine gun for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps.
Browning M2 (Ma Deuce)
Introduced: 1933 (originally developed in WWI)
Caliber: .50 BMG (12.7×99mm NATO)
Rate of Fire: 450–600 rounds per minute
Overview: The M2 was a heavy machine gun widely used for anti-aircraft, anti-vehicle, and infantry support roles. Its .50 caliber rounds offered exceptional range and stopping power, and the M2 remains in service today.
British Machine Guns
Bren Light Machine Gun
Introduced: 1938
Caliber: .303 British
Rate of Fire: 500–520 rounds per minute
Overview: The Bren was the backbone of British infantry firepower, prized for its accuracy, reliability, and ease of operation. It featured a top-mounted magazine and was highly effective in squad support roles.
Vickers Machine Gun
Introduced: 1912 (in service through WWII)
Caliber: .303 British
Rate of Fire: 450–500 rounds per minute
Overview: A water-cooled, tripod-mounted machine gun known for extreme durability and sustained fire capability. It played a key role in defensive positions and indirect fire support.
Soviet Machine Guns
DP-28 Degtyaryov
Introduced: 1928
Caliber: 7.62×54mmR
Rate of Fire: 550 rounds per minute
Overview: The DP-28 was the standard Soviet light machine gun, often referred to as the "record player" due to its distinctive top-mounted pan magazine. It was simple, robust, and functioned well in harsh battlefield conditions.
Maxim M1910
Introduced: 1910 (still widely used in WWII)
Caliber: 7.62×54mmR
Rate of Fire: 600 rounds per minute
Overview: A water-cooled, tripod-mounted heavy machine gun, the Maxim M1910 was a reliable mainstay in Soviet defenses, capable of continuous fire when properly maintained.
Japanese Machine Guns
Type 96 Light Machine Gun
Introduced: 1936
Caliber: 6.5×50mm Arisaka
Rate of Fire: 500 rounds per minute
Overview: Modeled after the French Hotchkiss design, the Type 96 was the standard Japanese light machine gun. It was lightweight, gas-operated, and often fitted with a top-mounted magazine.
Type 92 Heavy Machine Gun
Introduced: 1932
Caliber: 7.7×58mm Arisaka
Rate of Fire: 450 rounds per minute
Overview: Known to Allied forces as the "woodpecker" for its distinct firing sound, the Type 92 was a reliable, strip-fed heavy machine gun frequently used in defensive positions.
Legacy and Impact
World War II machine guns dramatically shaped the tactics of modern warfare. The conflict accelerated the transition from bolt-action rifles as primary squad weapons to more automatic firepower within infantry units. Many of the machine guns developed during WWII, particularly the MG42 and the Browning M2, directly influenced post-war designs and remain in military arsenals around the world.
If you would like, I can create detailed individual profiles for any specific WWII machine gun. Please let me know!
