MG34

Overview

MG34

Left side view of MG34 machine gun.
Source: Rock Island auction house - © Copyright lies with original owner

Origin

Nazi Germany

Type

Machine gun

Entered service

1936

Status

Obsolete

Development

1929 - 1934

Developer

Nazi Germany
Heinrich Vollmer

Production

1935 - 1945

Producer

Nazi Germany - Rheinmetall-Borsig
Nazi Germany - Steyr-Daimler-Puch
Nazi Germany - Mauserwerke
Nazi Germany - Waffenwerke Brünn

Unit cost

312 Reichsmark

Number produced

577.120

Designations

MG34 / Machinengewehr 34
Einheitsmachinengewehr

Notable users

Nazi Germany

Details

Facts MG34

General

Origin

Nazi Germany

Type

Machinegun

Caliber

Caliber

7.92x57mm Mauser

Feed system

Belt feed, 50 or 250 round belt

Barrel length

627 mm

Rifling

4 grooves, right hand twist

Muzzle velocity

765 m/s

Operation

Action

Recoil operated, open bolt

Locking

Rotating bolt

Fire selector

0 - 1 - F

Rate of fire

800 - 900 rpm

Dimensions

Stock type

Fixed

Length

1.219 mm

Weight

12.1 kg empty with bipod

Sights

Mechanical

Iron sights

Optional anti-aircraft sight

Range adjustment

200 - 2.000 m, per 100 m

Optics

Optional telescopic sight used on tripod

Accessories

Bipod

Yes, fixed folding bipod

Tripod

Optional, 32 kg combined weight

Media

MG34

German soldier with MG34 machine gun during World War 2.

Source: Bundesarchiv

MG34

German soldiers with MG34 machine gun on tripod mount during World War 2.

Source: WW2 photo

MG34

MG34 machine gun on tripod mount in 1943 or 1944. Note the German soldier holding a Soviet SVT-40 self-loading rifle.

Source: Bundesarchiv

MG34

Reenactors setting up a MG34 machine gun on tripod mount.

Source: Simon Q

MG34

MG34 machine gun on tripod mount during World War 2.

Source: Polish archives

MG34

Israeli soldiers with MG34 in 1948.

Source: Government Press Office (Israel)

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Ammunition

7.92x57mm Mauser

The MG34 is chambered for the 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge.