Maschinenkarabiner MKb 42(W)
Carl Walther GmbH · Assault Rifle · Limited Production · 1942
Also known as: MKb 42(W), MKb.42(W), Maschinenkarabiner 42 Walther, Maschinenkarabiner 42(W)
Overview
The Maschinenkarabiner MKb 42(W) was Carl Walther's select-fire assault rifle, one of the two competing prototypes that pioneered the intermediate-cartridge assault-rifle concept for the German Wehrmacht in 1942. Chambered for the 7.92x33mm Kurz round and feeding from a 30-round detachable box magazine, it was gas operated with an unusual annular gas piston encircling the barrel beneath stamped sheet-metal handguards. Unlike the rival Haenel MKb 42(H), the Walther fired from a closed bolt through a hammer-fired trigger and locked with a rotating bolt bearing two lugs, which gave it superior single-shot accuracy but a more complicated, less reliable action. Only around 200 were built before the design lost the trials to the Haenel weapon, which was developed onward into the MP 43 and StG 44.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4400 g (155.2 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4990 g (176.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 940 mm (37.01") |
| Barrel Length | 401 mm (15.79") |
| Action Type | Gas Operated Long Stroke |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 30 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 650 m/s (2133 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 1710 J (1261 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 600 m (656 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 800 m (875 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.92x33mm Kurz · primary — also known as 7.9 PP Kurz, 8mm Kurz, 7.92mm Kurz
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Selective Fire, Rotating Bolt, Closed Bolt Operation, Annular Gas Piston, Stamped Sheet Metal Receiver, Left Side Charging Handle
Service history
Operators
- Wehrmacht · adopted 1942 · as MKb 42(W)
Conflicts
- World War II (1942)
Production
Estimated total produced: 200 · Production years: 1942
Approximately 200 units built for trials before production was cancelled in November 1942 in favour of the Haenel MKb 42(H)
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Carl Walther GmbH design team
Discontinued: 1942
Notes
The (W) suffix denotes Walther, distinguishing it from the competing Haenel MKb 42(H). Sources vary on dimensions: empty weight is quoted between roughly 4.4 and 4.95 kg, overall length 931-944 mm, barrel 400-409 mm, and cyclic rate 500-600 rpm. Production was cancelled in November 1942 after about 200 units.
Background
Because Hitler had forbidden development of a new-caliber carbine, the Wehrmacht ran the program under the innocuous label Maschinenkarabiner ('machine carbine'), pitting Walther's closed-bolt MKb 42(W) against Haenel's open-bolt MKb 42(H). The Walther was the more accurate single-shot performer, but its intricate rotating bolt and annular gas piston proved fussier in the field, and the simpler Haenel won the contest that ultimately gave rise to the Sturmgewehr.