MG 17 machine gun

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MG 17 machine gun

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Type GPMG
Place of origin  Nazi Germany
Service history
Used by Germany
Wars WW2
Production history
Designed 1934
Manufacturer Rheinmetall-Borsig
Produced 1934-1944
Number built 24.271
Variants Modular design
Specifications
Weight 10.2 kg
Length 1175 mm

Cartridge 7.92x57mm Mauser
Action Recoil
Rate of fire 1.200 rpm
Muzzle velocity from 855 m/s (Phosphor "B" round ) to 905 m/s (Armor Piercing Tracer "SmK L'spur" round)
Feed system Belt magazine
Sights Various types

The MG 17 was a 7.92 mm machine gun produced by Rheinmetall-Borsig for use at fixed mountings in many World War II Luftwaffe aircraft.

History

A mainstay fixed machine gun in German built aircraft (many of which were sold to other countries) well before WW2, by 1940 it was starting to be replaced with heavier caliber machine gun and cannons. By 1945 very few if any aircraft mounted the MG 17.

The MG 17 was installed in the Messerschmitt Bf 109, Messerschmitt Bf 110, Focke-Wulf Fw 190, Junkers Ju 87, Junkers Ju 88C Nightfighter, Heinkel He 111, Dornier Do 17/215 Nightfighter, Focke-Wulf Fw 189 and many other aircraft. Many MG 17s were later modified for infantry use as heavier weapons replaced them on Luftwaffe aircraft. Official numbers of conversions was about 24,271 by January 1, 1944, although additional conversions may have been done as well [1].

Specifications

  • Calibre: 7.92 +/- .04 mm
  • Cartridge: 7.92x57 mm Mauser
  • Round weight: 35.5 grams (cartridge 24 grams, bullet 11.5 grams)
  • Muzzle velocity: from 855 m/s (Phosphor "B" round ) to 905 m/s (Armor Piercing Tracer "SmK L'spur" round)
  • Rate of fire: 1200 rpm

Dimensions

  • Length: 1175 mm
  • Weight: 10.2 kg
  • Action: Recoil
  • Feed system: Belt magazine
  • Sights Remotely located, various types

See also

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This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.