Maschinenkarabiner 42(H)

Maschinenkarabiner 42(H)
Haenel-built MKb 42(H)
TypeAssault rifle
Place of originNazi Germany
Service history
In service1942 – 1945
Used byNazi Germany
Production history
DesignerHugo Schmeisser
Designed1940 – 1941
ManufacturerC. G. Haenel Waffen und Fahrradfabrik
Produced1942
No. built8,000
Specifications
Mass4.9 kg (10 lb 13 oz) empty
5.49 kg (12 lb 2 oz) empty with bayonet
Length940 mm (3 ft 1 in)
1,158 mm (3 ft 9.6 in) with bayonet
Barrel length364 mm (1 ft 2 in)[1]

Cartridge7.92×33mm Kurz[2]
ActionGas-operated, tilting bolt, selective-fire
Rate of fire500 rpm
Muzzle velocity640 m/s (2,100 ft/s)
Effective firing range600 m (660 yd) single fire
300 m (330 yd) burst
200 m (220 yd) continuous
Maximum firing range800 m (870 yd) sighted[3]
Feed system30 round detachable box magazine
SightsAdjustable sights, rear: V-notch; front: hooded post

The Maschinenkarabiner 42(H) or MKb 42(H) (machine carbine Model 1942 (Haenel)) was an early German assault rifle firing an intermediate round of World War II. Designed in 1940 – 1941 by Hugo Schmeisser working for C. G. Haenel Waffen und Fahrradfabrik, several thousand were made and the gun was used on the Eastern Front in 1943.

The MKb 42(H), along with the less successful Maschinenkarabiner 42(W) (MKb 42(W)) by Walther Waffenfabrik AG, were predecessors of the MP 43 assault rifle.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Chamberlain 1976 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Hogg, Ian; Gander, Terry (2005), Jane's Guns Recognition Guide, Harper & Collins, p. 287
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Natzvaladze 1996 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).