Difference between revisions of "Krummlauf"
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| − | + | [[File:Krummlauf.jpg|160px|right|thumb|The Krummlauf on display at the ''Wehrtechnische Studiensammlung'' in Koblenz, Germany.]] | |
| + | The '''''Krummlauf''''' (English: Curved barrel) is a bent [[barrel]] attachment for the [[StG 44|Sturmgewehr 44]] [[assault rifle]] developed by Germany in [[World War II]]. The curved barrel included a periscope sighting device for shooting around corners from a safe position. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Description== | ||
| + | It was produced in several variants: a "I" version for infantry use, a "P" version for use in tanks (to cover the dead areas in the close range around the tank, to defend against assaulting infantry), versions with 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° bends, a version for the StG 44 and one for the MG 42. Only the 30° "I" version for the StG 44 was produced in any numbers. | ||
| + | The bent barrel attachments had very short lifespans – approx. 300 rounds for the 30° version, and 160 rounds for the 45° variant–as the barrel and bullets fired were put under great stress. | ||
| + | Another problem besides the short life-span was that the bending caused the bullets to shatter and exit the barrel in multiple fragments, producing an unintended shotgun effect. As a result, weapons designers experimented with small vent holes drilled into the Krummlauf's barrel in order to reduce pressure and recoil, allowing the discharged bullets' built-up gases to be released to slow the bullet's velocity as it turned to exit the barrel. Nevertheless, the Krummlauf's lifespan remained the same. The 30° model was able to achieve a 35x35 cm grouping at 100m. One of the biggest drawbacks of the small number (91 conversions) of [[wikipedia:Elefant|''Panzerjäger Tiger (P)'']] casemate-type tank destroyers was that in spite of having a 88mm anti tank gun, the initial ''Ferdinand'' version of the ''Elefant'' did not have a forward-facing hull mount machine gun to handle enemy infantry. Hence, the Krummlauf was fitted with the Stg44 Gun and used by the tank crew as a machine gun. | ||
| + | According to popular belief, this weapon was also Hitler's weapon of choice. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Derivatives== | ||
| + | Experiments to adapt the ''Krummlauf'' to the [[PPSh-41]] were conducted by the Soviet Union.<ref>http://www.ppsh41.com/serge3.htm</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | This concept was recently used by [[CornerShot]] or [[POF Eye]] to develop a weapon platform serving a similar purpose. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | * [[Periscope rifle]] | ||
| + | * [[CornerShot]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==External links== | ||
| + | * http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Waffen/Bilderseitenneu/Krummlauf.htm (German) | ||
| + | {{weird guns}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Trial and research firearms]] | ||
| + | [[Category:World War II German firearms]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:31, 25 August 2013
The Krummlauf (English: Curved barrel) is a bent barrel attachment for the Sturmgewehr 44 assault rifle developed by Germany in World War II. The curved barrel included a periscope sighting device for shooting around corners from a safe position.
Contents |
[edit] Description
It was produced in several variants: a "I" version for infantry use, a "P" version for use in tanks (to cover the dead areas in the close range around the tank, to defend against assaulting infantry), versions with 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° bends, a version for the StG 44 and one for the MG 42. Only the 30° "I" version for the StG 44 was produced in any numbers. The bent barrel attachments had very short lifespans – approx. 300 rounds for the 30° version, and 160 rounds for the 45° variant–as the barrel and bullets fired were put under great stress. Another problem besides the short life-span was that the bending caused the bullets to shatter and exit the barrel in multiple fragments, producing an unintended shotgun effect. As a result, weapons designers experimented with small vent holes drilled into the Krummlauf's barrel in order to reduce pressure and recoil, allowing the discharged bullets' built-up gases to be released to slow the bullet's velocity as it turned to exit the barrel. Nevertheless, the Krummlauf's lifespan remained the same. The 30° model was able to achieve a 35x35 cm grouping at 100m. One of the biggest drawbacks of the small number (91 conversions) of Panzerjäger Tiger (P) casemate-type tank destroyers was that in spite of having a 88mm anti tank gun, the initial Ferdinand version of the Elefant did not have a forward-facing hull mount machine gun to handle enemy infantry. Hence, the Krummlauf was fitted with the Stg44 Gun and used by the tank crew as a machine gun. According to popular belief, this weapon was also Hitler's weapon of choice.
[edit] Derivatives
Experiments to adapt the Krummlauf to the PPSh-41 were conducted by the Soviet Union.[1]
This concept was recently used by CornerShot or POF Eye to develop a weapon platform serving a similar purpose.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
| Krummlauf is part of a series on Weird guns | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rifles | Heckler & Koch G11 | CornerShot | Periscope rifle | Krummlauf | 
|
| Shotguns | Pancor Jackhammer | |
| Pistols | Duck's foot | Protector Palm | AF 2011 | |
| Revolvers | Chiappa Rhino | Apache Revolver | |
| Others | AO-46 PDW | Harmonica gun | |
