List of German military equipment of World War II


The following is a list of German military equipment of World War II which includes artillery, vehicles and vessels. World War II was a global war that was under way by 1939 and ended in 1945. Following political instability build-up in Europe from 1930, the Germans, which aimed to dominate Europe, attacked Poland on 1 September 1939, marking the start of World War II. The war in Europe ended 8 May 1945 with capitulation of Germany to the Allied forces.
The Germans used a number of type designations for their weapons. Usually, the type designation and series number are sufficient to identify a system, but occasionally multiple systems of the same type are developed at the same time and share a designation, at which point one must reference the calibre to differentiate.

Knives and bayonets

ModelTypeRoleBlade length From Note/s
Kampfmesser 42Combat knife/bayonetClose combat1944Never produced in large quantities
S84/98 IIICombat knife/bayonetClose combat25.11935
Seitengewehr 98Combat knife/bayonetClose combat501898First incorporated into the German army as a bayonet for the Mauser M1898 rifle

Small arms

Pistols (manual and semi-automatic)

NameTypeRole/sActionOriginBase Model/sManufacturer/sCartridge/sEffective firing range From Estimated wartime quantityUnloaded mass Note/s
Bodeo Model 1889RevolverSidearmDouble actionSocieta Siderurgica Glisenti10.35mm Ordinanza Italiana1889?0.950
ČZ vz. 27PistolClose-quarters / SidearmBlowback-operatedPistole vz. 24Česká zbrojovka.32 ACP1939?0.67
Dreyse M1907PistolClose-quarters / SidearmBlowback-operated, unlocked breechRheinmetall.32 ACP251905?0.710
Luger P08 pistolPistolClose-quarters / SidearmShort recoil, Toggle-lockedBorchardt C-93Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken7.65×21mm Parabellum,
9×19mm Parabellum		501900?0.871
Mauser C96PistolClose-quarters / SidearmShort recoilMauser7.63×25mm Mauser,
9×19mm Parabellum		1896?1.13
Mauser HScPistolClose-quarters / SidearmBlowback-operatedMauser.32 ACP,
.380 ACP		4019352519880.700
Nazi belt buckle pistolBelt buckle pistolClose-quarters
.32 ACP,
.22 LR		1915?
Sauer 38HPistolClose-quarters / SidearmStraight blowbackSauer.25 ACP,
.32 ACP,
.380 ACP		2519382000000.705
Steyr M1912PistolClose-quarters / SidearmRecoil-operatedRoth–Steyr M1907Steyr9mm Luger,
9mm Steyr		501912?1.2Converted to 9mm Parabellum as the P12
Vis pistolPistolClose-quarters / SidearmRecoil-operated, closed boltBrowning Hi-PowerFB Radom9×19mm Parabellum1939?0.950Also known as Radom wz.35 Vis - occupied Polish production
VolkspistolePistolClose-quarters / SidearmBlowback-operatedWalther,
Mauser		9×19mm Parabellum501945?1.088
Walther P38PistolClose-quarters / SidearmShort recoil, locked breechWalther, Mauser, Spreewerk9×19mm Parabellum50193910000000.800
Walther PPPistolClose-quarters / SidearmStraight blowbackWalther.32 ACP,
.380 ACP,
.22 LR,
.25 ACP,
9×18mm Ultra		1929?
Astra 300PistolClose-quarters / SidearmBlowback/SingleAstra 400Astra-Unceta y Cia SA9mm Largo1941?0.641Imported from Spain
Astra 400PistolClose-quarters / SidearmBlowback/SingleAstra-Unceta y Cia SA9mm Largo1921?1.14Imported from Spain
Astra 600PistolClose-quarters / SidearmBlowback-operatedAstra 400Astra-Unceta y Cia SA9×19mm Parabellum1944?1.08Imported from Spain
Browning Hi-PowerPistolClose-quarters / SidearmShort recoil, tilting barrel
Fabrique Nationale *7.65×21mm Parabellum,
9×19mm Parabellum,
.40 S&W		501940?1.00Occupied Belgian production
FÉG 37M PistolPistolClose-quarters / SidearmBlowback-operatedFrommer 29MFémáru, Fegyver és Gépgyár .380 ACP,
.32 ACP		1937?0.770Imported from Hungary
Star Model BPistolClose-quarters / SidearmBlowback-operatedStar Bonifacio Echeverria9×19mm Parabellum1922?Imported from Spain
FN 1922PistolClose-quarters / SidearmBlowback-operatedFabrique Nationale .380 ACP,
.32 ACP		1940?0.700Occupied Belgian production
Kongsberg ColtPistolClose-quarters / SidearmRecoil-operated, closed boltKongsberg Vaapenfabrikk.45 ACP1940?Occupied Norwegian Production

Automatic pistols and submachine guns

NameTypeRole/sActionOriginBase model/sManufacturer/sCartridge/sEffective firing range Cyclic rate of fire From Estimated wartime quantityUnloaded mass Note/s
EMP 44Submachine gunClose-quartersStraight blowbackErma Werke9×19mm Parabellum150-2005001943?3.6
Erma EMPMachine pistolClose-quarters / SidearmBlowbackErma Werke9×19mm Parabellum,
7.63×25mm Mauser,
9×23mm Largo,
7.65×21mm Parabellum		1505501931100004
MAS-38Submachine gunClose-quartersOff-axis bolt-travel delayed blowback7.65mm Longue100600–7001938?4.340
Astra 900Machine PistolClose-quarters / SidearmShort recoilAstra-Unceta y Cia SA7.63×25mm Mauser,
9mm Largo		150–200900-10001927?1.275Imported from Spain
Mauser M712 SchnellfeuerMachine pistolClose-quarters / SidearmShort recoilMauser7.63×25mm Mauser,
9×19mm Parabellum		150–200900-10001896?1.13
Beretta Model 38Submachine gunClose-quartersBlowback9×19mm Parabellum200550-6001938?3.25-4.2
MP 18Submachine gunClose-quartersBlowback, open-boltBergmann Waffenfabrik9×19mm Parabellum200350-5001918300004.18
MP 28Submachine gunClose-quartersBlowback, open-boltBergmann Waffenfabrik9×19mm Parabellum200550-6001928?4.0
MP 34Submachine gunClose-quartersBlowback, open-boltWaffenfabrik Steyr9×19mm Parabellum,
9×23 Steyr,
9×25mm Mauser,
7.63×25mm Mauser,
.45 ACP,
7.65×21mm Parabellum		150–2006001929?4.25
MP 35Submachine gunClose-quartersBlowback, open-boltBergmann,
Schultz & Larsen		9×19mm Parabellum150–2005401935?4.24
MP 40Submachine gunClose-quartersStraight blowback, open boltSteyr-Mannlicher,
Erma Werke,
Haenel		9×19mm Parabellum100–200500–55019401100000~3.97
MP 3008Submachine gunClose-quartersBlowback, open-bolt9×19mm Parabellum1004501945100003.2
Suomi KP/-31Submachine gunClose-quartersStraight blowbackTikkakoski9×19mm Parabellum200750–9001931?4.6Imported from Finland.
Danuvia 39MSubmachine gunClose-quartersLever-delayed blowback9×25mm Mauser7501939?4.4Imported from Hungary.
Orița M1941Submachine gunClose-quartersBlowback9×19mm Parabellum200400-6001943?4Imported from Romania.
ZK-383Submachine gunClose-quartersBlowback9×19mm Parabellum250500–7001938?4.83Occupied Czech production

Rifles

NameTypeRole/sActionOriginBase Model/sManufacturer/sCartridge/sEffective firing range From Estimated wartime quantityUnloaded mass Note/s
Gewehr 41Battle rifleFront-line / AssaultGas trap, flapper lockingWalther7.92×57mm Mauser40019411450004.9
Gewehr 43Battle rifleFront-line / AssaultShort-stroke piston, flapper lockingGewehr 41Walther7.92×57mm Mauser50019434027134.4
Gewehr 43 sniper rifleSniper rifleLong-Range PrecisionShort-stroke piston, flapper lockingGewehr 43Walther7.92×57mm Mauser8001943534354.4
Gewehr 98Standard rifleFrontline InfantryBolt actionMauser7.92×57mm Mauser5001935?4.09
  • Gewehr 98/40
  • Karabiner 98a
  • Karabiner 98b
Gewehr 98 sniper rifleSniper rifleLong-Range PrecisionBolt actionGewehr 98Mauser7.92×57mm Mauser800≥1935?4.09
HIW VSKStandard rifleFrontline InfantryBolt-actionHessische Industrie Werke7.92×57mm Mauser1944?
HIW VSK CarbineCarbineFrontline InfantryBlow forwardHessische Industrie Werke7.92×33mm Kurz1944?
Karabiner 98kStandard rifleFrontline InfantryBolt-actionMauser Model 1924,Karabiner 98bMauser7.92×57mm Mauser500193514000000~4.1Main German rifle during World War II
Karabiner 98k sniper rifleSniper rifleLong-Range PrecisionBolt-actionKarabiner 98kMauser7.92×57mm Mauser1000≥19351320004.1
M30 Luftwaffe drillingCombination rifle/shotgunClose-quartersBlitz lock systemSauer9.3x74mmR,
12 Gauge		194124563.4Shotgun and rifle
vz. 24Standard rifleFrontline InfantryBolt-actionKarabiner 98AZZbrojovka Brno7.92×57mm Mauser,
7×57mm Mauser,
7.65×53mm Mauser		1939?4.2Upgraded to Karabiner 98k standards, occupied Czech production
vz. 33Standard rifleFrontline InfantryBolt-actionMauser Musketon M12,
vz. 24		Zbrojovka Brno7.92×57mm Mauser1939?3.1Occupied Czech production
ZH-29Battle rifleFront-line / AssaultGas-operated, tilting boltZbrojovka Brno7.92×57mm Mauser3501929?4.5

Grenades and grenade launchers

Infantry and dual-purpose machine guns

NameTypeRole/sActionOriginBase model/sManufacturer/sCartridge/sEffective firing range Cyclic rate of fire From Estimated wartime quantityUnloaded mass Note/s
Barnitzke machine gunGeneral-purpose machine gunFire Support / Suppression / DefenseDelayed Blowback7.92×57mm Mauser?
FG 42Battle rifle/light machine gunFront-line / Assault / Fire Support / Suppression / DefenseGas-operated, rotating boltRheinmetall,
Heinrich Krieghoff Waffenfabrik,
L. O. Dietrich		7.92×57mm Mauser300-600750-900194370004.2-4.95
Grossfuss SturmgewehrAssault rifle/light machine gunFront-line / AssaultGas-delayed blowbackMetall- und Lackwarenfabrik Johannes Großfuß7.92×33mm Kurz500–55094.7
StG 44Assault rifle/light machine gunFront-line / AssaultLong-stroke piston, tilting bolt, selective fireC. G. Haenel Waffen und Fahrradfabrik7.92×33mm Kurz300-600500-60019434259774.6
KrummlaufAssault rifle/light machine gunFront-line / AssaultLong-stroke piston, tilting bolt, selective fireC. G. Haenel Waffen und Fahrradfabrik7.92×33mm Kurz300-600500-6001943?4.6
StG 45Assault rifle/light machine gunFront-line / AssaultRoller-delayed blowbackMauser7.92×33mm Kurz300450194512004
Knorr-Bremse 1935/36Automatic rifle/light machine gunFire Support / Suppression / DefenseLong-stroke piston, open boltSvenska Automatvapen AB6.5×55mm Swedish4801940?8.5
MG 08Heavy machine gunFire Support / Suppression / DefenseShort recoil, Toggle lockedDWM,
Spandau and Erfurt arsenals		7.92×57mm Mauser,
7.65×53mm Mauser,
7x57mm Mauser,
13×92mm TuF 		100-2000450-5001908?69
MG 13General-purpose machine gunFire Support / Suppression / DefenseShort recoil7.92×57mm Mauser100-20006001930?13.3
MG 15General-purpose machine gunFire Support / Suppression / DefenseRecoil-operated
Rheinmetall7.92×57mm Mauser1000–1050?12.4Former aircraft gun
MG 30General-purpose machine gunAnti-Aircraft / Airspace Denial / Fire Support / Suppression / DefenseRecoil-operated
Steyr-Werke AG7.92×57mm Mauser,
8×56mmR,
7×57mm Mauser		700–9001930?9.5
MG 34General-purpose machine gunAnti-Aircraft / Airspace Denial / Fire Support / Suppression / DefenseRecoil-operated, open bolt, rotating boltRheinmetall-Borsig AG Soemmerda,
Mauserwerke AG,
Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG,
Waffenwerke Brünn		7.92×57mm Mauser200–2000600–1700193557712012.1
MG 42General-purpose machine gunAnti-Aircraft / Airspace Denial / Fire Support / Suppression / DefenseRecoil-operated, roller-lockedMauser,
Wilhelm Gustloff Stiftung,
Steyr-Daimler-Puch,
Großfuß AG,
MAGET		7.92×57mm Mauser200–2000900–1500194242360011.6
MG 45General-purpose machine gunAnti-Aircraft / Airspace Denial / Fire Support / Suppression / DefenseRoller-delayed blowback7.92×57mm Mauser200-7321350-18001944109
MG39 RhGeneral-purpose machine gunFire Support / Suppression / DefenseGas-operated7.92×57mm Mauser100-16001937?9.58
MG 81General-purpose machine gunAnti-Aircraft / Airspace Denial / Fire Support / Suppression / DefenseRecoil-operated7.92×57mm Mauser200-8001400–16001940?6.5Former aircraft mounted weapon
Schwarzlose MG M.07/12Medium machine-gunFire Support / Suppression / DefenseToggle-delayed blowbackSteyr8×50mmR Mannlicher,
8×56mmR,
7.92×57mm Mauser,
6.5×53mmR,
6.5×55mm,
7.62×54mmR,
.303 British		400-8801908?41.4
VMG 1927General-purpose machine gunFire Support / Suppression / DefenseShort recoil8×57mm IS1927?11.48
Volkssturmgewehr 1-5Substitute assault rifle/light machine gunFront-line / AssaultGas-delayed blowback7.92×33mm Kurz3001945100004.6
Wimmersperg SpzSubstitute assault rifle/light machine gunFront-line / AssaultGas-operated7.92×33mm Kurz4001944?
ZB vz. 26General-purpose machine gunFire Support / Suppression / DefenseGas-operated, tilting breechblockZbrojovka Brno, Military Technical Institute Kragujevac7.92×57mm Mauser100-10005001924?9.65
ZB vz. 30General-purpose machine gunFire Support / Suppression / DefenseGas-operated, tilting breechblockZbrojovka Brno, Military Technical Institute Kragujevac7.92×57mm Mauser100-1000550-6501930?9.10
ZB-53Medium machine gunAnti-Aircraft / Airspace Denial / Fire Support / Suppression / DefenseGas-operatedZbrojovka Brno7.92×57mm Mauser500–8001936?21

Vehicle and aircraft machine guns

Demolition charges

Light anti-aircraft guns

Nazi Germany had captured many models of foreign equipment. In the list below, only most prominent captured models are listed.
For full listing of captured vehicles see List of foreign vehicles used by Nazi Germany in World War II

Tankettes

Tank-based

Diana
*
*

Secret weapons

50 cal shells