Congratulations, Ian et.al!!! Just yesterday I read of all the heartache you were having in the development phase…As Edison is purported to have said, :genius is 5% INspiration & 95% PERspiration”…You persevered, Improvised, Adapted & Overcame…Continue to “Endeavor to Persevere!!!”.
Your phosphate job looks far too good! At the end of the war, the Germans were running seriously depleted zinc phosphating baths due to chemical shortages.
Actually, if you consult the Darren Weaver book on the arms designed for the Volkssturm Nazi Party militia, the self-loading carbines in the 7.92x33mm cartridge were to have ten round magazines only, by order of der führer himself while the 30 round magazines would be reserved for the StG44 and the wunderwaffe Gerät ancestor of the CETME/G3 that used roller locking and could be made even more cheaply than the StG44… und so weiter.
As for the reproduction, I like it very, very much and I would love to get one. I do find it odd that there is a butt stock loop for the sling when the original had the sling tacked to the bottom and then attached via a hook through a hole drilled in the piece of metal sandwiched between the hand guards that the slide rides on? Also, while it is a superb project, and I am absolutely thrilled to see this put back into production, the trigger guard is a bit SKS-ish looking rather than the rounder profile of the original Barnitzke Volksgewehr. Anyhow, congratulations and kudos! Great work!
Ah, here it is. From W. Darrin Weaver’s _Depserate Measures_ pp. 120-121:
“The Führer has basically rejected all single-shot models. From among these, the Walther model impressed him the most.
As for the repeating [magazine] rifles … The Führer also ordered an improvement in the external appearance of the weapon, as weall as a change in the shape of the butt. The Führer observed that such a primitive weapon was not suitable for equipping the troops as it would produce a negative psychological effect. … K43 magazines …
As a further goal, the Führer has considered the VG with the kurz 44 cartridge and a *magazine of ten rounds, which will not hinder the fireer while laying in the prone position. The long 30-round magazine of the MP44 was not to be used.*”
Outstanding, Chuck and all. My hat was passed into the ring earlier (via Ian) but I’ll track down Greg. Regardless, I am humbled by your skill and perseverance in this. It’s Jurassic Park, legendary extinct firearms edition!
It is starting to look amazing!!! I hope to see a video soon and eventually become an owner to one these rifle myself. Congratulation on the project as well!!!
It would be early to look upon the new project since this is not over – still needs to make 500 rifles, and made ones will definetly after some usage show the room for improvements,either in material or some design tweaking.
Also maybe some simpler and better methods of manuf. some parts come up along that 500 way.
But for next project I would like to see stg45m, especially after the enthusiastic review of its repro by ian, and its superior ergonomics compared to later g3 or cetme series.
Now off to ATF for approval.
WOW – Looks GREAT!!!!!
Huzzah!
Wow! Beautiful work!
Congratulations, Ian et.al!!! Just yesterday I read of all the heartache you were having in the development phase…As Edison is purported to have said, :genius is 5% INspiration & 95% PERspiration”…You persevered, Improvised, Adapted & Overcame…Continue to “Endeavor to Persevere!!!”.
CB in FL
Just for clarification sake…This is the result of Chucks (& Chris) hard work, not Ian.
Yes you are correct Mac. This project was accomplished by Chris, John and myself.
Have you shot it yet?
Your phosphate job looks far too good! At the end of the war, the Germans were running seriously depleted zinc phosphating baths due to chemical shortages.
Hell yeah! Now to the range!
Why the 10 rounds mag though? If you explained it somewhere I missed it.
Actually, if you consult the Darren Weaver book on the arms designed for the Volkssturm Nazi Party militia, the self-loading carbines in the 7.92x33mm cartridge were to have ten round magazines only, by order of der führer himself while the 30 round magazines would be reserved for the StG44 and the wunderwaffe Gerät ancestor of the CETME/G3 that used roller locking and could be made even more cheaply than the StG44… und so weiter.
As for the reproduction, I like it very, very much and I would love to get one. I do find it odd that there is a butt stock loop for the sling when the original had the sling tacked to the bottom and then attached via a hook through a hole drilled in the piece of metal sandwiched between the hand guards that the slide rides on? Also, while it is a superb project, and I am absolutely thrilled to see this put back into production, the trigger guard is a bit SKS-ish looking rather than the rounder profile of the original Barnitzke Volksgewehr. Anyhow, congratulations and kudos! Great work!
The loop stock was just a concept and will be changed back to the original design after this.
I like the rear sling mount on this one. It’s also a good ‘tell’ that this is a reproduction.
The rifle was original design was for a 10 rd magazine. The thought of building a 30 rd magazine is king of nightmarish.
Likely to comply with local laws, herein Canada it is 5 rds centre fire auto or 10rds for pistol
Ah, here it is. From W. Darrin Weaver’s _Depserate Measures_ pp. 120-121:
“The Führer has basically rejected all single-shot models. From among these, the Walther model impressed him the most.
As for the repeating [magazine] rifles … The Führer also ordered an improvement in the external appearance of the weapon, as weall as a change in the shape of the butt. The Führer observed that such a primitive weapon was not suitable for equipping the troops as it would produce a negative psychological effect. … K43 magazines …
As a further goal, the Führer has considered the VG with the kurz 44 cartridge and a *magazine of ten rounds, which will not hinder the fireer while laying in the prone position. The long 30-round magazine of the MP44 was not to be used.*”
Awesome! hope to see a shooting video of it on youtube soon.
Hope i’m not being too daring to ask but what will your next project be? SA80 maybe?
Just Amazing !!! Here is a gun geek question, are you going to use the same Serial Number Series like the Originals ?? ” Th1234 ” Etc ??
Jeff
Those numbers on the stock are unit numbers and not serial numbers. The serial numbers will be 5-001 through 5-100
Have already written for more information to AA as I am still in the market. Great work! Harry
Can’t wait……………..
Beautiful!
Congratulations!
Outstanding job!
Awesome! I want to see a range video!
Just curious, what’s the process for getting ATF approval?
I send a gun to them and they try and make it go full auto. We design the system so that will not happen.
Looks great. Hats for your skill and efforts. One question.
Did you use a safely like the VG-2 used for reasons of simplicity or were some VG-5’s made with a safety like this?
For simplicity.
AMAZING! I’ll be standing in line cash in hand when these are in full production
Please add my name to the list for more details after the ATF approves it.
Look Great!
Outstanding, Chuck and all. My hat was passed into the ring earlier (via Ian) but I’ll track down Greg. Regardless, I am humbled by your skill and perseverance in this. It’s Jurassic Park, legendary extinct firearms edition!
Thank you. I am looking forward to finally being able to sell the rifle. The second prototype rifle after proofing will go down to Ian for testing.
When wil these ebcome comercially available to buy?
Once the approval from ATF comes. roughly 3 months
It is starting to look amazing!!! I hope to see a video soon and eventually become an owner to one these rifle myself. Congratulation on the project as well!!!
It would be early to look upon the new project since this is not over – still needs to make 500 rifles, and made ones will definetly after some usage show the room for improvements,either in material or some design tweaking.
Also maybe some simpler and better methods of manuf. some parts come up along that 500 way.
But for next project I would like to see stg45m, especially after the enthusiastic review of its repro by ian, and its superior ergonomics compared to later g3 or cetme series.
Woohoo! Looks awesome Chuck. Congratulations sir! We know this stuff isn’t easy! : )