How a German MG-34 Machine Gun Works

Wikipedia: The MG 34 (shortened from German: Maschinengewehr 34, or "machine gun 34") is a German recoil-operated air-cooled general-purpose machine gun, first tested in 1929, introduced in 1934, and issued to units in 1936. It introduced an entirely new concept in automatic firepower – the Einheitsmaschinengewehr (Universal machine gun) – and is generally considered the world's first general-purpose machine gun (GPMG). Both the MG 34 and MG 42 were erroneously nicknamed "Spandau" by Allied troops, a carryover from the World War I nickname for the MG 08, which was produced at the Spandau Arsenal.

The versatile MG 34 was chambered for the full-power 7.92×57mm Mauser rifle cartridge, and was arguably the most advanced machine gun in the world at the time of its deployment.The MG 34 was envisaged and well developed to provide portable light and medium machine gun infantry cover, anti-aircraft coverage, and even sniping ability. Its combination of exceptional mobility – being light enough to be carried by one man – and high rate of fire (of up to 900 rounds per minute) was unmatched. It entered service in great numbers from 1939. Nonetheless, the design proved to be rather complex for mass production, and was supplemented by the cheaper and simpler to mass produce MG 42, though both remained in service and production until the end of the war.

Type General-purpose machine gun
Place of origin Nazi Germany
Service history
In service 1936–1945 (officially, German military) 1936–present (other armies)
Used by See Users
Wars Spanish Civil War
World War II
Chinese Civil War
First Indochina War
1948 Arab–Israeli war
Korean War
Portuguese Colonial Wars[citation needed]
Algerian War
Cuban Revolution
Suez Crisis[1]
Biafran War
Vietnam War
Angolan Civil War
Six-Day War
The Troubles
Syrian Civil War[2]
Production history
Designer Heinrich Vollmer
Designed 1934
Manufacturer Rheinmetall-Borsig AG Soemmerda, Mauserwerke AG, Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG, Waffenwerke Brünn
Unit cost 312 ℛℳ (1944)
1260 EUR current equivalent
Produced 1935–1945
No. built 577,120[3]
Specifications
Mass 12.1 kg (26.7 lb)
32 kg (70.5 lb) (with tripod)
Length 1,219 mm (48.0 in)
Barrel length 627 mm (24.7 in)
Cartridge 7.92×57mm Mauser
Action Recoil-operated, opened rotating bolt
Rate of fire 800–900 rounds/min
Early versions: 600–1,000 rounds/min selectable on pistol grip
MG 34"S": 1,500 rounds/min.
MG 34/41: 1,200 rounds/min.
Practical: 150 rounds/min[4]
Muzzle velocity 765 m/s (2,510 ft/s) (s.S. Patrone)
Effective firing range 200–2,000 m (219–2,187 yd) sight adjustments
3,500 m (3,828 yd) with tripod and telescopic sight
Maximum firing range 4,700 m (5,140 yd)
Feed system 50/250-round Patronengurt 33, 34, or 34/41 model belt, 50-round drum, or 75-round drum magazine with modification
Sights Iron sights, antiaircraft sight or telescopic sights.