FG 42 (Type II) Sniper
Heinrich Krieghoff Waffenfabrik · Sniper Rifle · Out Of Production · 1943
Also known as: FG42 Type II, Fallschirmjagergewehr 42, FjG 42, FG 42 Zweite Modell
Overview
The FG 42 (Fallschirmjagergewehr 42) Type II with ZF4 or ZFG42 telescopic sight was an extraordinarily advanced weapon for its era - a select-fire battle rifle capable of serving as a makeshift sniper rifle when fitted with optics. Developed exclusively for German paratroopers by Rheinmetall and manufactured by Krieghoff, the Type II variant featured improvements over the Type I including a wooden stock, relocated bipod, and reduced cyclic rate. With its 20-round side-mounted magazine, full-power 7.92x57mm cartridge, and optical sight capability, the FG 42 was arguably the world's first practical general-purpose automatic rifle, influencing the later American M60 machine gun's operating mechanism.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 5050 g (178.1 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 5400 g (190.5 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1060 mm (41.73") |
| Barrel Length | 524 mm (20.63") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated |
| Firing Mechanism | Rotating Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Select Fire |
| Magazine Capacity | 20 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 740 m/s (2428 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3500 J (2581 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 1200 m (1312 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.92x57mm Mauser · primary — also known as 8mm Mauser, 8x57mm IS, 7.92x57mm IS, 8mm Mauser JS
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Safety Lever
- Features: Zf4 Or Zfg42 Telescopic Sight, Select Fire Capability, Integral Bipod, Side Mounted Magazine, Muzzle Brake, Bayonet Lug, Open Bolt Full Auto
Variants
- FG 42 (Type I) — Early Production
- FG 42 (Standard) — Standard
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Fallschirmjager (German Paratroopers) · adopted 1943 · as Fallschirmjagergewehr 42
- Waffen-SS
Conflicts
- World War II (Italy) (1943-1945)
- World War II (Western Front) (1944-1945)
- Raid on Gran Sasso (Mussolini Rescue) (1943)
- Battle of the Bulge (1944-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 7,000 · Production years: 1943-1945
Approximately 7,000 FG 42 rifles of all types (Type I and Type II combined) were manufactured by Rheinmetall-Borsig and Heinrich Krieghoff. The extremely limited production makes the FG 42 one of the rarest and most valuable WWII firearms, with surviving examples commanding prices exceeding $200,000 at auction.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Louis Stange / Rheinmetall-Borsig
Discontinued: 1945
Notes
The FG 42 was unique in firing from an open bolt in full-automatic mode for cooling but from a closed bolt in semi-automatic mode for accuracy - a remarkable engineering achievement. The Type II improvements included relocating the bipod from the handguard to the muzzle to reduce shot dispersion, changing the pistol grip to near-vertical, replacing the stamped steel stock with wood to reduce overheating, and adding a four-position gas regulator. The ZFG42 scope was purpose-designed for the weapon, while the ZF4 (a copy of the Soviet PU) was a more common field expedient. Only approximately 7,000 FG 42s of all types were produced, making any surviving example extremely rare and valuable.
Background
The FG 42 saw its most dramatic use during Operation Eiche (Oak), the daring 1943 raid to rescue Benito Mussolini from his mountain-top prison at the Gran Sasso Hotel. German Fallschirmjager armed with FG 42s crash-landed gliders on the rocky mountainside and overwhelmed the Italian guards in minutes. The weapon's combination of automatic fire capability and precision optics made it decades ahead of its time - its operating mechanism was later studied and adapted by Springfield Armory for the American M60 general-purpose machine gun.