The FG42 (Fallschirmjägergewehr 42) is an selective fire rifle produced in Nazi Germany during World War II. The weapon was developed for the use of the Fallschirmjäger airborne infantry in 1942 and was used in very limited numbers. Firing the full-power 7.92×57mm Mauser round, it is considered as a battle rifle.
It combined the characteristics of a light machine gun, slightly shorter (yet bulkier) than the Kar98k. The FG42 influenced various post-war small arms designs, such as the M60. Semi-auto fire uses closed bolt mechanism, while full-auto fire uses open-bolt one for better cooling. Its feed system is side-mounted, 20-round magazine.
Early model (right) and the late-war one with less angled pistol grip (left).
