Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Caliber: 7.92x33 mm
Action: Gas-delayed blowback
Overall length: 885 mm
Barrel length: 378 mm
Weight: 4.6 kg
Magazine capacity: 30 rounds
During the closing months of the WW2 Hitler tried all possible means to stop Allied advances
on all fronts. One of such means was creation of the Volkssturm organization, which
conscripted males aged between 16 and 60 who were not already serving in German armed
forces. Hastily trained and usually armed with second-hand or obsolete weapons, the
Volkssturm formed the last line of defense of Third Reich. Due to shortage of small arms
during late 1944 and early 1945, German industry developed a number of cheap, rude but at
least marginally effective weapons, solely intended for Volkssturm use. Most of these
weapons were very basic in design, crude in finish, made of inferior materials and with little
attention to durability, fit and finish. The VG.1-5 rifle, developed by the engineer Karl Barnitzke
at the Gustloff Werke factory, was among the most interesting Volkssturm weapons, as it
provided plenty of firepower in a relatively compact package, especially compared to other
Volkssturm rifles. Production of the VG.1-5 commenced early in 1945, with about 10
thousands produced before the capitulation of the Reich on May 8th, 1945.
The Volkssturmgewehr VG.1-5 rifle was known for sensitivity to cleaning and oiling, and
easily jammed if not properly maintained. Its construction relied heavily on steel stampings,
welding and pinning.