MG 15
Rheinmetall AG · Machine Gun · Out Of Production · 1932
Also known as: Maschinengewehr 15, MG 15, Type 98 (Japan)
Overview
The MG 15 was a German 7.92x57mm Mauser air-cooled machine gun developed by Rheinmetall in the early 1930s as a hand-manipulated defensive weapon for combat aircraft. A recoil-operated, full-automatic design derived from Louis Stange's MG 30, it fired at roughly 1,000 rounds per minute and was fed from a distinctive 75-round twin saddle drum. Mounted on flexible pintle stations in bombers and other aircraft, it was the Luftwaffe's standard flexible defensive gun until heavier weapons replaced it; surplus guns were later rebuilt with bipods and stocks for infantry use.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 8100 g (285.7 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 12400 g (437.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1078 mm (42.44") |
| Barrel Length | 690 mm (27.17") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Automatic |
| Magazine Capacity | 75 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Drum |
| Muzzle Velocity | 755 m/s (2477 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3650 J (2692 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 3500 m (3828 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 1025 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 240 mm (9.45") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.92x57mm Mauser · primary — also known as 8mm Mauser, 7.9x57, 8x57 IS, 7.92x57
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Saddle Drum Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Air Cooled, Quick Change Barrel, Saddle Drum Magazine, Flexible Aircraft Mount, Spade Grips
Variants
- Type 98 (Japan) — License Export
- MG 15 (Ground Configuration) — Ground Conversion
Service history
Operators
- Luftwaffe · adopted 1933
- Wehrmacht · adopted 1944
- Imperial Japanese forces · adopted 1938 · as Type 98
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)
Production
Production years: 1932-1941
Produced as a flexible aircraft defensive gun; large stocks later converted to ground light machine guns and license-built in Japan as the Type 98
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Louis Stange
Discontinued: 1941
Notes
The 75-round saddle drum emptied in roughly four to five seconds at the high cyclic rate. As aircraft armament was upgraded to belt-fed and larger-caliber guns from about 1941, large stocks of MG 15s were converted to ground-support light machine guns with added bipods, shoulder stocks, and sights. Japan produced a license version as the Type 98. Muzzle energy is approximate, derived from the 755 m/s velocity with a standard 12.8 g sS bullet.
Background
The MG 15 rode in the dorsal and ventral stations of early Luftwaffe bombers, its twin saddle drum perched over the breech; gunners learned to fire in short bursts because a full drum lasted only a few seconds against attacking fighters.