During the Second World War, Germany developed a number of innovative small arms. One key development – the Sturmgewehr, chambered for the 7.92 × 33 mm Kurz cartridge – is rightly considered the grandfather of the modern ‘assault rifle’. The concept behind the assault rifle was a box magazine-fed, select-fire rifle chambered for an intermediate cartridge. It was to be effective within confined spaces, and out to 400 meters. Studies and experience from the Second World War and earlier had shown that most rifle combat was taking place at closer ranges than expected; the assault rifle would prove effective by allowing for controllable automatic fire, whilst reducing the weight and bulk of the cartridge.
Continue reading: A Cartridge in Brief: .280 British
CartridgeGram is a project by Jack Dutschke focusing primarily on the history of interesting, experimental and prototype military ammunition supplemented by high-quality photography. Jack is a firearms hobbyist, cartridge collector and an active member of many cartridge collecting associations around the world.