The German Wehrmacht infantry relied on a diverse array of weapons, ranging from a standard bolt-action rifle to the innovative first-ever assault rifle and highly effective machine guns. The core of German infantry doctrine centered on the machine gun, with other weapons providing support.
Standard Rifles and Carbines
Karabiner 98k (K98k): The standard issue bolt-action rifle for the Wehrmacht throughout the war. It was a reliable, accurate 7.92×57mm Mauser weapon used by the vast majority of soldiers. Sniper variants with scopes were also used extensively.
Gewehr 43/Karabiner 43: A semi-automatic rifle introduced later in the war, primarily as a more advanced weapon for specialists and snipers.
Sturmgewehr 44 (StG 44): Considered the world's first true assault rifle, the StG 44 was introduced late in the war on the Eastern Front. It fired a shorter 7.92×33mm Kurz (short) cartridge, offering selective-fire capability with greater range than a submachine gun and more controllable automatic fire than a full-power battle rifle.
Machine Guns
The machine gun was the primary source of firepower for a German infantry squad.
MG 34: The first modern general-purpose machine gun, introduced before the war. It was highly effective but complex and expensive to produce.
MG 42: Developed to supplement and replace the MG 34, the MG 42 was simpler and cheaper to manufacture, using stamped steel parts. It was notorious for its extremely high rate of fire (around 1,200 rounds per minute), earning it nicknames like "Hitler's buzzsaw" from Allied troops.
Submachine Guns and Sidearms
MP 40: Known widely as the "Schmeisser" (though Hugo Schmeisser was not its designer), the MP 40 was a 9mm submachine gun produced largely from stamped parts for mass production. It was issued to squad leaders, paratroopers, and armored vehicle crews for close-quarters combat.
Walther P38: The standard issue 9mm semi-automatic service pistol of the Wehrmacht, intended to replace the more expensive Luger P08. The Luger P08 was still widely used, especially in the early war.
Anti-Tank and Other Weapons
Panzerfaust: A series of inexpensive, single-use, recoilless anti-tank launchers. Issued widely to infantry late in the war, its shaped-charge warhead could penetrate heavy armor at short ranges, making every soldier a potential tank killer.
Panzerschreck: An 88mm reusable anti-tank rocket launcher modeled after the American Bazooka.
Stielhandgranate 24: The iconic "stick grenade," which featured a high-explosive charge in a metal can on a wooden handle.
Eihandgranate 39: A smaller, "egg-shaped" grenade used for its compact size and ease of use.
S-mine: A feared anti-personnel bounding mine, known as the "Bouncing Betty" by Allied troops, that would launch into the air before detonating at waist height.
Standard Rifles and Carbines
Karabiner 98k (K98k): The standard issue bolt-action rifle for the Wehrmacht throughout the war. It was a reliable, accurate 7.92×57mm Mauser weapon used by the vast majority of soldiers. Sniper variants with scopes were also used extensively.
Gewehr 43/Karabiner 43: A semi-automatic rifle introduced later in the war, primarily as a more advanced weapon for specialists and snipers.
Sturmgewehr 44 (StG 44): Considered the world's first true assault rifle, the StG 44 was introduced late in the war on the Eastern Front. It fired a shorter 7.92×33mm Kurz (short) cartridge, offering selective-fire capability with greater range than a submachine gun and more controllable automatic fire than a full-power battle rifle.
Machine Guns
The machine gun was the primary source of firepower for a German infantry squad.
MG 34: The first modern general-purpose machine gun, introduced before the war. It was highly effective but complex and expensive to produce.
MG 42: Developed to supplement and replace the MG 34, the MG 42 was simpler and cheaper to manufacture, using stamped steel parts. It was notorious for its extremely high rate of fire (around 1,200 rounds per minute), earning it nicknames like "Hitler's buzzsaw" from Allied troops.
Submachine Guns and Sidearms
MP 40: Known widely as the "Schmeisser" (though Hugo Schmeisser was not its designer), the MP 40 was a 9mm submachine gun produced largely from stamped parts for mass production. It was issued to squad leaders, paratroopers, and armored vehicle crews for close-quarters combat.
Walther P38: The standard issue 9mm semi-automatic service pistol of the Wehrmacht, intended to replace the more expensive Luger P08. The Luger P08 was still widely used, especially in the early war.
Anti-Tank and Other Weapons
Panzerfaust: A series of inexpensive, single-use, recoilless anti-tank launchers. Issued widely to infantry late in the war, its shaped-charge warhead could penetrate heavy armor at short ranges, making every soldier a potential tank killer.
Panzerschreck: An 88mm reusable anti-tank rocket launcher modeled after the American Bazooka.
Stielhandgranate 24: The iconic "stick grenade," which featured a high-explosive charge in a metal can on a wooden handle.
Eihandgranate 39: A smaller, "egg-shaped" grenade used for its compact size and ease of use.
S-mine: A feared anti-personnel bounding mine, known as the "Bouncing Betty" by Allied troops, that would launch into the air before detonating at waist height.
K98 Mauser
Kar K98 Mauser. Airsoft.
Gewehr 88
The Gewehr 88 Commission or Reichsgewehr 1888, was the first standard German infantry gun, used in WW1, the postwar and in late WW2 for the Volkssturm militias.
G33/40 Gebirgsjäger Carbine
G-43 Semi Auto Rifle - Replica
Mauser C96 (1896-37, 7.63x25mm Mauser 9x19mm Parabellum . Type Semi-automatic pistol, Machine Pistol (M712 Schnellfeuer). Designer Feederle brothers (Fidel, Friedrich, and Josef). Airsoft.
Luger P08 (1908), 9mm Luger-Parabellum. Airsoft.
Luger 9mm Parabellum Carbine. Airsoft.
P08 P-08 Luger Pistol. Parabellum-Pistole Replica.
Walther P-38 Replica
Replicas P-38 Fallschirmjager holster, Model 39 Eihandgranate, M39, Eierhandgranate, (Egg Hand Grenate).
M24 "Potato Masher" stick grenade replica.
Walther PP Resin Replica
MP-40 Maschinen Pistole Replica
Fallschirmjager 6 cell ammo pouch for MP.
MP40 Schmeisser, submachine gun, 9x19mm Parabellum.
German grey/white Reversible Winter Parka w/ MP40 Schmeisser and Mauser 98 ammo pouches
Steyr MP-34 Replica
PPSh-41 Soviet (Captured) Machine Gun. Replica
PPs-43 SMG (Soviet) Replica
M1928A1 Thompson SMG
Beretta MAB 38
MG-34 Maschinengewehr Replica.
WW2 German DAK MG 34 Gunner (North Africa).
Madsen Machine Gun
Madsen Light Machine Gun - WW2 German Reenactment
To see more photos and details, click the above link.
Maschinengewehr MG-42 (Replica)
conversion Madsen Mount with MG42.
MG-34 MG-42 Ammo Boxes. Original WW2 and Post-War Bundeswehr or Yugo.
In the middle, the original one from WW2, on each side from the postwar. They are exactly the same but the original is textured field grey and the others are semi-gloss green-grey.
WW2 Type MG-34 MG-42 Tube of Transport, Cannon Replacement Spare. Bundeswehr Surplus
STG-44 Sturmgewehr Replica
STG-44 canvas ammo pouches.
Replica STG-44 Sturmgewehr and M39 "Eierhandgranate". M42 canvas webbing Y straps and canvas MP44 ammo pouches.
FG-42 Paratrooper Rifle
Sturmpistole
Panzerfaust Replica
Panzershreck Replica
Early RPzB 54 without protective shield, for this reason the gunner would have used the hood, the gasmask without filter, and heavy gloves.
M81 Mortar Fiberglass Wooden Metal Replica
