List of German military equipment of World War II
This page contains a list of equipment used the German military of World War II . Germany used a number of type designations for their weapons. In some cases, the type designation and series number (i.e. FlaK 30) are sufficient to identify a system, but occasionally multiple systems of the same type are developed at the same time and share a partial designation.[ 1]
Personal arms and captured arms
Knives and bayonets
Small arms
Revolvers, pistols, and pistol carbines (manual and semi-automatic)
Image
Name/designation
Type
Role/s
Action
Origin
Variant/s
Base model/s
Manufacturer/s
Cartridge/s
Effective firing range (m)
From (year)
Estimated wartime quantity
Unloaded mass (kg)
Notes
Bodeo M1889
Revolver
Sidearm
Double action
Kingdom of Italy
Type A Enlisted model and Type B officer's model
-
Societa Siderurgica Glisenti
10.35mm Ordinanza Italiana
1889
?
0.950
During World War II, the Wehrmacht designated the Bodeo as Revolver 680(i) when utilized as an alternative firearm.
''Lebel'' Modèle 1892
Revolver
Sidearm
Double action , single action
French Third Republic
-
-
Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Étienne
8mm French Ordnance
1892
?
0.85
Designated as Revolver 637(f)
Beretta M1934
Pistol
Close-quarters , sidearm
Blowback-operated
Kingdom of Italy
-
-
Beretta
.380 ACP
1934
?
Designated as Pistole 671(i)
Beretta M1935
Pistol
Close-quarters , sidearm
Blowback-operated
Kingdom of Italy
-
-
Beretta
.32 ACP
1935
?
Designated as Pistole 672(i)
Webley revolver
Revolver
Sidearm
Double action , single action
United Kingdom
MK I, MK I, MK III, MK IV, MK V and MK VI
-
Webley & Scott
.455 Webley ,.45 ACP
1887
?
2.4
Designated as Revolver 646(e) for the MK I to Revolver 655(e) for the MK VI.
-
Pistole vz. 22
Pistol
Close-quarters , sidearm
Short recoil , rotating barrel
Czechoslovakia
-
-
Zbrojovka Brno, Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod
.380 ACP
1921
?
0.67
Captured after the defeat of Czechoslovakia and used in very limited numbers. The destination for the pistol is still unknown.
Pistole vz. 24
Pistol
Close-quarters , sidearm
Blowback-operated , rotating barrel
Czechoslovakia
-
-
Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod , Böhmische Waffenfabrik (Under German Occupation)
.380 ACP
1923
?
0.67
Designated as Pistole 24(t)
ČZ vz. 27
Pistol
Close-quarters , sidearm
Blowback-operated , rotating barrel
Czechoslovakia
-
Pistole vz. 24
Česká zbrojovka , Böhmische Waffenfabrik (Under German Occupation)
.32 ACP
1939
?
0.67
Designated as Pistole 27(t)
ČZ vz. 38
Pistol
Close-quarters , sidearm
Blowback-operated
Czechoslovakia
-
-
Česká zbrojovka Uherský Brod
.380 ACP
1939
?
Designated as Pistole 39(t)
Nagant M1895
Revolver
Sidearm
Double action , single action
Russian Empire , Belgium
Various
-
Various
7.62×38mmR
1895
?
Designated as Revolver 612(r)
TT pistol
Pistol
Close-quarters/sidearm
Short recoil actuated , locked breech , single action
Soviet Union
Various
-
Various
7.62x25mm Tokarev 9x19mm Parabellum
1930
?
Designated as Pistole 615(r) and used by the Army and the Volkssturm.
Dreyse M1907
Pistol
Close-quarters/sidearm
Blowback-operated , unlocked breech
German Empire
K. Sachs. Gend and Dreyse Rheinmetal ABT. Sommerda
-
Rheinmetall
.32 ACP
25
1905
?
0.710
Used by the Volkssturm and the Volksgrenadier units in 1943–1945.
Luger P08
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Short recoil , toggle-locked
German Empire
Various
Borchardt C-93
Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken , Mauser
7.65×21mm Parabellum ,9×19mm Parabellum
50
1900
3,000,000
0.871
Lange Pistole 08
Pistol carbine
Close-quarters, sidearm
Short recoil , toggle-locked
German Empire
Various
Borchardt C-93
Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken , Mauser
7.65×21mm Parabellum ,9×19mm Parabellum
1913
2,000
Used by Artillerymen in the German Army and Waffen-SS units, and these continued in use until the end of the war in 1945.
Luger M1900 Carbine
Pistol carbine
Close-quarters, sidearm
Short recoil , toggle-locked
German Empire
Various
Borchardt C-93
Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken , Mauser
7.65×21mm Parabellum ,9×19mm Parabellum
1900
?
Used in very limited numbers during the late 1943 until the demise of the Nazi Germany in 1945.
Mauser C96
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Short recoil
German Empire
Various
-
Mauser
7.63×25mm Mauser ,9×19mm Parabellum
1896
1,100,000+
1.13
19,000 Mauser C96 were used by the Army in 1942–1945 and the government purchased 7,800 Mauser M1930 variants for the Luftwaffe.
Mauser HSc
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Blowback-operated
Nazi Germany
HSc Super
-
Mauser
.32 ACP ,.380 ACP
40
1935
251,988
0.700
Mauser M1914
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Recoil Operation
German Empire , Nazi Germany
Model 1910 and Model 1934
-
Mauser
.25 ACP (M1910),.32 ACP
1910
3,455
Used mostly by the German police and the Kriegsmarine .
Sauer 38H
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Straight blowback
Nazi Germany
-
-
Sauer
.25 ACP ,.32 ACP ,.380 ACP
25
1938
200,000
0.705
Steyr M1912
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Recoil-operated
Austria-Hungary
Doppelpistole M1912
and Repetierpistole M1912/P16
Roth–Steyr M1907
Steyr
9mm Luger ,9mm Steyr
50
1912
?
1.2
Converted to 9mm Parabellum as the P12(ö)
Radom vz. 35 Vis
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Recoil-operated , closed bolt
Poland
-
Browning Hi-Power
FB Radom
9×19mm Parabellum
1939
?
0.950
Occupied Polish production
Volkspistole
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Blowback-operated
Nazi Germany
-
-
Walther ,Mauser , Gustloff
9×19mm Parabellum
50
1945
16~
1.088
Prototype semi-automatic pistol.
Walther P38
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Short recoil , locked breech
Nazi Germany
Various
-
Walther , Mauser , Spreewerk
9×19mm Parabellum
50
1939
1,000,000
0.800
Standard issue pistol during World War II
Walther PP
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Straight blowback
Weimar Republic
Various
-
Walther
.32 ACP ,.380 ACP ,.22 LR ,.25 ACP ,9×18mm Ultra
1929
?
Walther PPK
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Straight blowback
Weimar Republic
Various
Walther PP
Walther
.32 ACP ,.380 ACP ,.22 LR ,.25 ACP ,9×18mm Ultra
1929
?
Shorter version of the Walther PP.
Walther Model 7
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Blowback-operated
German Empire
-
-
Walther
.25 ACP
1915
?
Used by the Luftwaffe , Tank crews and even the Waffen-SS , served with the model 8.
Walther Model 8
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Blowback-operated
Weimar Republic
-
-
Walther
.25 ACP
1920
?
Used by the Luftwaffe , tank crews and even the Waffen-SS , served with the model 7.
Walther Model 9
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Blowback-operated
Weimar Republic
-
-
Walther
.25 ACP
1921
?
Used by Tank crews as their pocket pistol.
Astra 300
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Blowback /single
Francoist Spain
-
Astra 400
Astra-Unceta y Cia SA
9mm Largo
1941
85,000
0.641
Imported from Spain
Astra 400
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Blowback /single
Francoist Spain
Various
-
Astra-Unceta y Cia SA
9mm Largo
1921
6,000~
1.14
Imported from Spain
Astra 600
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Blowback-operated
Francoist Spain
-
Astra 400
Astra-Unceta y Cia SA
9×19mm Parabellum
1944
11,000~
1.08
Imported from Spain
Astra 900
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Short recoil
Francoist Spain
-
Mauser C96
Astra-Unceta y Cia SA
9x19 Parabellum
1944
1050~
Imported from Spain
Browning Hi-Power
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Short recoil , tilting barrel
United States Belgium
Various
-
Fabrique Nationale
*7.65×21mm Parabellum ,9×19mm Parabellum ,.40 S&W
50
1940
300,000+
1.00
Occupied Belgian production
FÉG 37M
Pistol
Close-quarters/sidearm
Blowback-operated
Kingdom of Hungary
P.Mod 37.Kal 7.65 variant (German issue)
Frommer 29M
Fémáru, Fegyver és Gépgyár (FÉG)
.380 ACP , .32 ACP
1937
?
0.770
Imported from Hungary
Star Model B
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Short recoil , tilting barrel
Spain
Various
Colt M1911
Star Bonifacio Echeverria
9×19mm Parabellum
1922
?
Designated as Pistole Star Modell B (.08) and imported from Spain for the Luftwaffe during the Battle of France .
FN M1910
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Blowback-operated
Belgium
Various
-
Fabrique Nationale (FN)
.380 ACP ,.32 ACP
1910
?
0.590
Occupied Belgian production
FN M1922
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Blowback-operated
Belgium
Various
-
Fabrique Nationale (FN)
.380 ACP ,.32 ACP
1922
?
0.700
Occupied Belgian production
Kongsberg M1914 Colt
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Recoil-operated , closed bolt
Norway
-
Colt M1911
Kongsberg Vaapenfabrikk
.45 ACP
1940
8200
Occupied Norwegian Production
MAB Model D
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Blowback-operated
France
Type I and Type II
-
Manufacture d'armes de Bayonne
7.65×17mm Browning SR .380 ACP
1933
?
Occupied France Production
Pistolet Modèle 1935A
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Short recoil
France
-
-
Manufacture d'armes de Bayonne
7.65x20mm Long
1935
?
Occupied France Production and designated as Pistole 625(f) .
Colt M1911/A1
Pistol
Close-quarters, sidearm
Short recoil
United States
Various
-
Colt Manufacturing Company
.45 ACP
1911
?
Designated as Pistole 660(a) .
M1917 Revolver
Revolver
Sidearm
Double-action
United States
Slightly differing versions of the M1917 were made by Colt and Smith & Wesson
-
Smith & Wesson ,Colt Manufacturing Company
.45 ACP
1917
?
Designated as Revolver 661(a) for the Smith & Wesson version and the Revolver 662(a) for the Colt version.
Automatic pistols and submachine guns
Image
Name/designation
Type
Role/s
Action
Origin
Base model/s
Manufacturer/s
Cartridge/s
Effective firing range (m)
Cyclic rate of fire (round/min)
From (year)
Estimated wartime quantity
Unloaded mass (kg)
Notes
EMP 44
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Straight blowback
Nazi Germany
Erma Werke
9×19mm Parabellum
150–200
500
1943
?
3.6
Prototype Submachine gun
Erma EMP
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Blowback
Weimar Republic
Erma Werke
9×19mm Parabellum ,7.63×25mm Mauser ,9×23mm Largo ,7.65×21mm Parabellum
150
550
1931
10,000
4
MAS-38
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Off-axis bolt-travel delayed blowback
France
7.65mm Longue
100
600–700
1938
?
4.340
Astra 902
Machine Pistol
Close-quarters , sidearm
Short recoil
Kingdom of Spain
Astra-Unceta y Cia SA
7.63×25mm Mauser ,9mm Largo
150–200
900
1927
?
?
A fully automatic version of the Astra 900 pistol but it has a 20 rounds internal box magazine. In 1943, some delivered to the Wehrmacht.
Astra 904
Machine Pistol
Close-quarters , sidearm
Short recoil
Kingdom of Spain
Astra-Unceta y Cia SA
7.63×25mm Mauser ,9mm Largo
150–200
900–1000
1927
?
1.275
Another fully automatic version of the Astra 900 pistol but it has a 10 or 20 rounds detachable box magazine.
Mauser M712 Schnellfeuer
Machine pistol
Close-quarters , sidearm
Short recoil
German Empire
Mauser
7.63×25mm Mauser ,9×19mm Parabellum
150–200
900–1000
1896
?
1.13
Approximately 1,235 Mauser M712 were used by the army and Waffen-SS, only 1,123 were used by the Luftwaffe and the Fallschirmjäger units as their survival or self-defense weapon.
Beretta Model 38
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Blowback
Kingdom of Italy
9×19mm Parabellum
200
550–600
1938
?
3.25–4.2
Used by the Wehrmacht and it variants
MP 18
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Blowback , open-bolt
German Empire
Bergmann Waffenfabrik
9×19mm Parabellum
200
350–500
1918
30,000
4.18
Used by the Waffen-SS in early 1930s and it was replaced by the MP 38. In mid 1944–1945 some were issued to the Volkssturm.
MP 28
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Blowback , open-bolt
German Empire
Bergmann Waffenfabrik
9×19mm Parabellum
200
550–600
1928
?
4.0
Used by the Feldgendarmerie army and the Volkssturm .
MP 34
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Blowback , open-bolt
Austria
Waffenfabrik Steyr
9×19mm Parabellum ,9×23 Steyr ,9×25mm Mauser ,7.63×25mm Mauser ,.45 ACP ,7.65×21mm Parabellum
150–200
600
1929
?
4.25
Used by Waffen-SS and the Wehrmacht
MP 35
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Blowback , open-bolt
Nazi Germany
Bergmann,Schultz & Larsen
9×19mm Parabellum
150–200
540
1935
40,000
4.24
Used by the Waffen-SS and the Wehrmacht
MP 38
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Straight blowback , open bolt
Nazi Germany
Steyr-Mannlicher ,Erma Werke , Haenel
9×19mm Parabellum
550
1938
1,109~
Used by the Waffen-SS, Feldgendarmerie, Army and the Volkssturm
MP 40
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Straight blowback , open bolt
Nazi Germany
Steyr-Mannlicher ,Erma Werke , Haenel
9×19mm Parabellum
100–200
500–550
1940
1,100,000~
3.97
MP 41
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Straight blowback , open bolt
Nazi Germany
Steyr-Mannlicher ,Erma Werke , Haenel
9×19mm Parabellum
550
1941
?
MP 3008
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Blowback , open-bolt
Nazi Germany
9×19mm Parabellum
100
450
1945
10,000
3.2
Suomi KP/-31
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Straight blowback
Finland
Tikkakoski
9×19mm Parabellum
200
750–900
1931
?
4.6
Imported from Finland.[ 2]
Danuvia 39M
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Lever-delayed blowback
Kingdom of Hungary
9×25mm Mauser
750
1939
?
4.4
Imported from Hungary.[ 3]
Orița M1941
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Blowback
Kingdom of Romania
9×19mm Parabellum
200
400–600
1943
?
4
Imported from Romania.[ 4]
ZK-383
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Blowback
Czechoslovakia
9×19mm Parabellum
250
500–700
1938
?
4.83
Occupied Czech production.
PPD-34/38
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Blowback , open bolt
Soviet Union
7.62×25mm Tokarev
250
800–1000
1934
?
Designated as Maschinenpistole 715(r) .
PPD-40
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Blowback , open bolt
Soviet Union
7.62×25mm Tokarev
250
800–1000
1940
?
Designated as Maschinenpistole 716(r) .
MP 41(r)
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Blowback , open bolt
Soviet Union
7.62×25mm Tokarev , 7.63×25mm Mauser , 9×19mm Parabellum
1250
1941
?
Captured PPSh-41 converted to 9×19mm Parabellum caliber for use by German forces.
PPSh-41
Submachine gun
Close-quarters
Blowback , open bolt
Soviet Union
7.62×25mm Tokarev , 7.63×25mm Mauser 9×19mm Parabellum
1250
1941
?
Captured, unconverted PPSh-41 placed in German service and supplied with 7.63×25mm Mauser ammunition and designated as Maschinenpistole 717(r) .
Rifles
Image
Name/designation
Type
Role/s
Action
Origin
Manufacturer/s
Cartridge/s
Effective firing range (m)
From (year)
Estimated wartime quantity
Unloaded mass (kg)
Notes
Gewehr 41(M)
Rifle
Front-line , assault
Bolt-action , gas trap , rotating-bolt
Nazi Germany
Mauser
7.92×57mm Mauser
400
1941
6,673
4.9
Gewehr 41(W)
Rifle
Front-line/assault
Gas trap , flapper locking
Nazi Germany
Walther
7.92×57mm Mauser
400
1941
145,000
4.9
Gewehr 43
Rifle
Front-line/assault
Short-stroke piston , flapper locking
Nazi Germany
Walther
7.92×57mm Mauser
500
1943
402,713
4.4
Gewehr 43 sniper rifle
Sniper rifle
Long-range precision
Short-stroke piston , flapper locking
Nazi Germany
Walther
7.92×57mm Mauser
800
1943
53,435
4.4
Gewehr 98
Rifle
Front-line infantry
Bolt action
German Empire
Mauser
7.92×57mm Mauser
500
1898
9,000,000+
4.09
Karabiner 98a
Carbine
Front-line
Bolt action
German Empire
Mauser
7.92×57mm Mauser
1908
1,500,000
Karabiner 98b
Rifle
Front-line
Bolt action
German Empire
Mauser
7.92×57mm Mauser
1923
?
Gewehr 98 sniper rifle
Sniper rifle
Long-range precision
Bolt action
German Empire
Mauser
7.92×57mm Mauser
800≥
1935
15,000
4.09
HIW VSK
Rifle
Front-line infantry
Bolt-action
Nazi Germany
Hessische Industrie Werke
7.92×57mm Mauser
1944
?
HIW VSK Carbine
Carbine
Front-line infantry
Blow forward
Nazi Germany
Hessische Industrie Werke
7.92×33mm Kurz
1944
?
Karabiner 98k
Rifle
Front-line infantry
Bolt-action
Nazi Germany
Mauser
7.92×57mm Mauser
500
1935
14,000,000~
4.1
Main German rifle during World War II
Karabiner 98k sniper rifle
Sniper rifle
Long-range precision
Bolt-action
Nazi Germany
Mauser
7.92×57mm Mauser
1000≥
1935
132,000
4.1
M30 Luftwaffe drilling
Combination rifle , shotgun
Hunting/self-defence
Blitz lock system
Nazi Germany
Sauer
9.3x74mmR ,12 Gauge
1941
2456
3.4
Issued to Luftwaffe aircraft as survival weapon
Gewehr 98/40 (FÉG 35M )
Rifle
Front-line
Bolt-action
Kingdom of Hungary
7.92×57mm Mauser
1941
138,000
3.98
Imported from Hungary
Gewehr 24(t) (vz. 24 )
Rifle
Front-line infantry
Bolt-action
Czechoslovakia
Zbrojovka Brno
7.92×57mm Mauser ,7×57mm Mauser ,7.65×53mm Mauser
1939
330,000
4.2
Upgraded to Karabiner 98k standards, occupied Czech production
StG 44 (Sturmgewehr 44)
Assault rifle
Front-line/assault
Long-stroke piston , tilting-bolt
Nazi Germany
Mauser
7.92×33mm Kurz
450
1945
425,977
4
vz. 33 as Gewehr 33(t)
Rifle
Front-line infantry
Bolt-action
Czechoslovakia
Zbrojovka Brno
7.92×57mm Mauser
1939
131,503
3.1
Occupied Czech production
Grenades and grenade launchers
Mines
Recoilless rifles
Flamethrowers
Infantry rifles and machine guns
Infantry rifles and dual-purpose machine guns
Image
Name/designation
Type
Role/s
Action
Origin
Manufacturer/s
Cartridge/s
Effective firing range (m)
Cyclic rate of fire (round/min)
From (year)
Estimated wartime quantity
Unloaded mass (kg)
Notes
-
Barnitzke machine gun
General-purpose machine gun
Fire support , suppression , defense
Delayed blowback
Nazi Germany
7.92×57mm Mauser
?
Prototype machine gun
FG 42
Battle rifle , light machine gun
Front-line , assault , fire support , suppression , defense
Gas-operated , rotating bolt
Nazi Germany
Rheinmetall ,Heinrich Krieghoff Waffenfabrik , L. O. Dietrich
7.92×57mm Mauser
300–600
750–900
1943
7000
4.2–4.95
Grossfuss Sturmgewehr
Assault rifle
Front-line , assault
Gas-delayed blowback
Nazi Germany
Metall- und Lackwarenfabrik Johannes Großfuß
7.92×33mm Kurz
500–550
9
4.7
Prototype assault rifle
StG 44
Assault rifle
Front-line , assault
Long-stroke piston , tilting bolt , selective fire
Nazi Germany
C. G. Haenel Waffen und Fahrradfabrik
7.92×33mm Kurz
300–600
500–600
1943
425,977
4.6
Knorr-Bremse 1935/36
Automatic rifle , light machine gun
Fire support , suppression , defense
Long-stroke piston , open bolt
Sweden
Svenska Automatvapen AB
6.5×55mm Swedish
480
1940
?
8.5
MG 08
Heavy machine gun
Fire support , suppression , defense
Short recoil , toggle locked
German Empire
DWM, Spandau and Erfurt arsenals
7.92×57mm Mauser ,7.65×53mm Mauser ,7x57mm Mauser ,13×92mm TuF (TuF variant)
100–2000
450–500
1908
?
69
MG 13
General-purpose machine gun
Fire support , suppression , defense
Short recoil
Weimar Republic
7.92×57mm Mauser
100–2000
600
1930
?
13.3
MG 15
General-purpose machine gun
Fire support , suppression , defense
Recoil-operated
Weimar Republic Nazi Germany
Rheinmetall
7.92×57mm Mauser
1000–1050
?
12.4
Former aircraft gun
MG 30
General-purpose machine gun
Anti-aircraft , airspace denial , fire support , suppression , defense
Recoil-operated
Switzerland Austria
Steyr-Werke AG
7.92×57mm Mauser ,8×56mmR ,7×57mm Mauser
700–900
1930
?
9.5
MG 34
General-purpose machine gun
Anti-aircraft , airspace denial , fire support , suppression , defense
Recoil-operated , open bolt , rotating bolt
Nazi Germany
Rheinmetall-Borsig AG Soemmerda, Mauserwerke AG, Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG, Waffenwerke Brünn
7.92×57mm Mauser
200–2000
600–1700
1935
577,120
12.1
MG 42
General-purpose machine gun
Anti-aircraft , airspace denial , fire support , suppression , defense
Recoil-operated , roller-locked
Nazi Germany
Mauser ,Wilhelm Gustloff Stiftung ,Steyr-Daimler-Puch , Großfuß AG, MAGET
7.92×57mm Mauser
200–2000
900–1500
1942
423,600
11.6
MG 45
General-purpose machine gun
Anti-aircraft , airspace denial , fire support , suppression , defense
Roller-delayed blowback
Nazi Germany
7.92×57mm Mauser
200–732
1350–1800
1944
10
9
Prototype machine gun
-
MG 39 Rh
General-purpose machine gun
Fire support , suppression , defense
Gas-operated
Nazi Germany
7.92×57mm Mauser
100–1600
1937
?
9.58
MG 81
General-purpose machine gun
Anti-aircraft , airspace denial , fire support , suppression , defense
Recoil-operated
Nazi Germany
7.92×57mm Mauser
200-800
1400–1600
1940
?
6.5
Former aircraft mounted weapon
Schwarzlose MG M.07/12
Medium machine-gun
Fire support , suppression , defense
Toggle-delayed blowback
Austria-Hungary
Steyr
8×50mmR Mannlicher ,8×56mmR ,7.92×57mm Mauser ,6.5×53mmR ,6.5×55mm ,7.62×54mmR ,.303 British
400–880
1908
?
41.4
VMG 1927
General-purpose machine gun
Fire support , suppression , defense
Short recoil
Weimar Republic
8×57mm IS
1927
?
11.48
Wimmersperg Spz
Substitute assault rifle , light machine gun
Front-line , assault
Gas-operated
Nazi Germany
7.92×33mm Kurz
400
1944
?
Prototype assault rifle
Sturmgewehr 45K
Assault rifle
Front-line , assault
Gas-operated , tilting block bolt
Nazi Germany
7.92×33mm Kurz
Unknown
450
1945
3
Prototype assault rifle
ZB vz. 26
General-purpose machine gun
Fire support , suppression , defense
Gas-operated , tilting breechblock
Czechoslovakia
Zbrojovka Brno , Military Technical Institute Kragujevac
7.92×57mm Mauser
100–1000
500
1924
?
9.65
ZB vz. 30
General-purpose machine gun
Fire support , suppression , defense
Gas-operated , tilting breechblock
Czechoslovakia
Zbrojovka Brno , Military Technical Institute Kragujevac
7.92×57mm Mauser
100–1000
550–650
1930
?
9.10
ZB-53
Medium machine gun
Anti-aircraft , airspace denial , fire support , suppression , defense
Gas-operated
Czechoslovakia
Zbrojovka Brno
7.92×57mm Mauser
500–800
1936
?
21
Vehicle and aircraft machine guns
Artillery
Demolition charges
Infantry mortars
Heavy mortars and rocket launchers
Field artillery
Fortress and siege guns
Anti-tank guns
Anti-tank weapons (besides anti-tank guns)
Anti-aircraft weapons
Light anti-aircraft guns
Heavy anti-aircraft guns
Vehicles
Nazi Germany had captured many models of foreign equipment. In the list below, only most prominent captured models are listed.
For full listing of captured vehicles see List of foreign vehicles used by Nazi Germany in World War II
Tankette
AMR 35 – captured from French, some converted to mortar carrier
Tanks
Image
Name/designation
Type
Origin
Manufacturer/s
Main armament
Secondary armament
From (year)
Estimated wartime quantity
Mass (t)
Notes
Stridsvagn L-5
Light tank
Sweden
AB Landsverk
37mm cannon
2 x 7.92mm MG 13 light machine guns
1929
5
7
Incomplete prototype
Leichttraktor
Light tank
Weimar Republic
Krupp , Rheinmetall
3.7 cm KwK L/45
7.92×57mm Mauser Dreyse machine gun, cloth belt drum magazine (100 rounds) supply
1930
4
8.7 (Krupp) 8.96 (Rheinmetall)
Used for training only
Grosstraktor
Medium Tank
Weimar Republic
Krupp , Rheinmetall , Daimler
75 mm KwK
3× 7.92 mm MG (coaxial, hull and sub-turret)
1929
6
16 (Rheinmetall, Daimler) 16.4 (Krupp)
Used for training only
Panzer I
Light tank
Nazi Germany
Krupp , Henschel , Daimler , MAN
2 × 7.92 mm MG 13 machine guns
-
1934
1659
5.4
Panzer II
Light tank
Nazi Germany
1 × 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 Ausf. a–F 1 × 2 cm KwK 38 L/55 Ausf. J–L
1 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
1936
1,856
8.9
Škoda T-15
Light tank
Slovakia
Škoda
1 × 3.7 cm KwK 38(t) L/47
1 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
1936
5
-
Slovak alternative to the Panzer II . 5 prototypes built
Panzerkampfwagen II mit Schwimmkörper (Panzer II with floats)
Light tank
Nazi Germany
1 × 2 cm KwK 30 L/55 Ausf. a–F 1 × 2 cm KwK 38 L/55 Ausf. J–L
1 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
1936
8.9
VK 16.02 Leopard
Light tank
Nazi Germany
MAN , MIAG , Daimler
5 cm KwK 39 (planned)
1 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
0
21.9
Neubaufahrzeug
Medium Tank
Nazi Germany
Krupp , Rheinmetall
7.5 cm KwK 37
3.7 cm KwK 36 3 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
1935
5
23.41
Panzer 35(t)
Light tank
Czechoslovakia
Škoda , ČKD
3.7 cm (1.5 in) KwK 34(t) gun
2 x 7.92 mm (0.3 in) MG 37(t) machine gun
1936
434
10.5
Panzer 38(t)
Light tank
Czechoslovakia
ČKD
37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.8
2× 7.92 mm ZB-53 (MG 37(t)) machine guns
1939
1414
9.85
Sd.Kfz. 140/1 Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) mit 2 cm KwK 38
Light tank
Czechoslovakia
ČKD
37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.8
2× 7.92 mm ZB-53 (MG 37(t)) machine guns
1939
9.85
Sd.Kfz. 140/1 Aufklärungspanzer 38(t) mit 7.5 cm KwK37 L/24
Light tank
Czechoslovakia
ČKD
37 mm KwK 38(t) L/47.8
2× 7.92 mm ZB-53 (MG 37(t)) machine guns
1939
9.85
Panzer III
Medium Tank
Nazi Germany
Daimler
1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf. A-G 1 × 5 cm KwK 38 Ausf. F-J 1 × 5 cm KwK 39 Ausf. J¹-M 1 × 7.5 cm KwK 37 Ausf. N
2–3 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
1939
5774
23.0
Panzerbeobachtungswagen III
Medium Tank
Nazi Germany
Daimler
1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf. A-G 1 × 5 cm KwK 38 Ausf. F-J 1 × 5 cm KwK 39 Ausf. J¹-M 1 × 7.5 cm KwK 37 Ausf. N
2–3 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
1939
23.0
Used for forward artillery observation
Tauchpanzer III – amphibious (snorkel-fitted) Panzer III
Medium Tank
Nazi Germany
Daimler
1 × 3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf. A-G 1 × 5 cm KwK 38 Ausf. F-J 1 × 5 cm KwK 39 Ausf. J¹-M 1 × 7.5 cm KwK 37 Ausf. N
2–3 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
1939
23.0
Converted to amphibious tank
Panzer IV
Medium Tank
Nazi Germany
Krupp , Vomag , Nibelungenwerk
1 x 7.5 cm (2.95 in) KwK 40 L/48 main gun
2 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
1939
8553
25.0
Panzerbeobachtungswagen IV (Pz. Beob. Wg. IV)
Medium Tank
Nazi Germany
Krupp , Vomag , Nibelungenwerk
1 x 7.5 cm (2.95 in) KwK 40 L/48 main gun
2 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
1939
25.0
Artillery spotter tank with special radio equipment
Panther
Medium Tank
Nazi Germany
MAN AG , Daimler , MNH [de ]
1 x 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70
2 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
1943
6000
44.8
Beobachtungspanzer Panther – artillery observer
Medium Tank
Nazi Germany
MAN AG , Daimler , MNH [de ]
1 x 7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70
2 × 7.92 mm Maschinengewehr 34
1943
44.8
Used for forward artillery observation
Tiger I
Heavy Tank
Nazi Germany
Henschel
1× 8.8 cm KwK 36 L/56 92 AP and HE rounds
2× 7.92 mm MG 34
1942
1347
54.0
Tiger II
Heavy Tank
Nazi Germany
Henschel , Krupp
1× 8.8 cm KwK 43
2× 7.92 mm MG 34
1944
492
69.8
Self-propelled guns
Tank-based
Anti-Air
Anti-tank
Assault & infantry guns
Self propelled artillery
Other
Schlepper 25PS [et ] – 37mm gun on Hanomag chassis
7.7 cm FK WD Schlepper 50PS – 77mm gun on Hanomag chassis
Pz.Sph. 204(f) mit KwK 42 – gun on French Panhard 178 armoured car
8.8 cm Flak 18 auf Zgkw 12 – AA gun in field gun mount on Sd.Kfz. 8 half-track chassis
8.8 cm Flak 18 auf Zgkw 18 – AA gun in field gun mount on Sd.Kfz. 9 half-track chassis
Mittler Schutzenpanzerwagen S307(f) mit Reihenwerfer – mortar on French SOMUA MCG half-track truck chassis
Armored cars
Armored carriers
Engineering and command
Trucks
Passenger cars
Motorcycles
Motorcycles were often paired with a sidecar as a Wehrmachtsgespann [de ] .
Tractors and prime movers
Miscellaneous vehicles
Navy ships and war vessels
Aircraft
Secret weapons
Radars
Missiles and bombs
Anti-tank bombs
Armor-piercing bombs
Cluster bombs
High explosive bombs
Shrapnel bombs
Rockets and Missiles
Cartridges and shells
See also
References
^ "World War 2 Weapons" . Military Dictionary . Archived from the original on 2008-12-06. Retrieved 2008-12-10 .
^ John Walter, Guns of the Third Reich , Greenhill Books, 2004, p. 163
^ John Walter, Guns of the Third Reich , Greenhill Books, 2004, p. 163
^ John Walter, Guns of the Third Reich , Greenhill Books, 2004, p. 163
^ Panzerabwehrkanonen
Further reading
Chamberlain, Peter; Gander, Terry (1975). Light and Medium Field Artillery . World War 2 Fact Files series. London: Macdonald and Jane's. ISBN 0356082156 .
Frank, Reinhard (1994). Cars of the Wehrmacht: A Photo Chronicle . German Vehicles in World War II series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0887406874 .
——————— (1997). Trucks of the Wehrmacht: A Photo Chronicle . German Vehicles in World War II series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0887406866 .
——————— (1997). German Light Half-Tracked Prime Movers 1934-1945 . Schiffer Military History series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0764302620 .
——————— (1997). German Medium Half-Tracked Prime Movers 1934-1945 . Schiffer Military History series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0764302639 .
——————— (1997). German Heavy Half-Tracked Prime Movers 1934-1945 . Schiffer Military History series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0764301675 .
Gander, Terry; Chamberlain, Peter (1979). Weapons of the Third Reich: An Encyclopedic Survey of All Small Arms, Artillery, and Special Weapons of the German Land Forces, 1939-1945 . Garden City, NY, USA: Doubleday. ISBN 0385150903 .
—————— (2004). Heavy Artillery of World War II . Vital Guide series. Marlborough, Wiltshire, UK: Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1840374144 .
Garson, Paul (2017). Two-Wheeled Blitzkrieg: German Wartime Motorcycles . Stroud, Gloucestershire, England: Amberley Publishing. ISBN 9781445672366 .
Hinrichsen, Horst (1994). Motorcycles of the Wehrmacht: A Photo Chronicle . German Vehicles in World War II series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0887406858 .
———————— (1997). German Military Motorcycles in the Reichswehr and Wehrmacht 1934-1945 . Schiffer Military History series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0764301926 .
———————— (2000). Heavy Sidecar Motorcycles of the Wehrmacht 1935-1945 . Schiffer Military History series. Atglen, PA, USA: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0764312723 .
Lepage, Jean-Denis (2007). German Military Vehicles of World War II: an illustrated guide to cars, trucks, half-tracks, motorcycles, amphibious vehicles and others . Jefferson, NC, USA: McFarland Books. ISBN 9780786428984 .
Thomas, Paul (2018). German Reconnaissance and Support Vehicles 1939-1945: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives . Images of War series. Barnsley, South Yorkshire, UK: Pen & Sword Books. ISBN 9781526720894 .
External links