The Volkssturmgewehr (“People’s Assault Rifle”)\[3\] is the name of several rifle designs developed by Nazi Germany during the last months of World War II. They share the common characteristic of being greatly simplified as an attempt to cope with severe lack of resources and industrial capacity in Germany during the final period of the war.

Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr

Volkssturm Gewehr VG 1-5.JPG

Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr, also known as the Gustloff Volkssturmgewehr VG.1-5

Type

Semi-automatic rifle

Place of origin

Nazi Germany

Service history

In service

February–May 1945

Used by

Nazi Germany

Wars

World War II

Production history

Designed

Late 1944

Produced

January–May 1945

No. built

Approx. 10,000\[1\]

Variants

Selective fire variant

Specifications

Mass

4.6 kg (10.1 lb)\[2\]

Length

885 mm (34.8 in)\[2\]

Barrel length

378 mm (14.9 in)\[2\]

Cartridge

7.92×33mm Kurz

Action

Gas-delayed blowback

Muzzle velocity

660 m/s (2,200 ft/s)

Effective firing range

300 m

Feed system

30-round detachable StG 44 box magazine

Sights

Iron

The weapon’s name can be translated directly either as “People’s assault rifle” or “Volkssturm rifle.” Volkssturm, the German late war militia home defense force, means “People’s Assault”; Sturmgewehr translates as “assault rifle”.