StG 45(M): The Last Sturmgewehr

By Tom Laemlein

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#Guns

The German “Sturmgewehr” (StG) rifles of World War II represented a significant breakthrough in small arms design. Leveraging a new intermediate cartridge (7.92×33 Kurz); cost-effective production with stamped, pressed and roughly finished parts; and a new focus on short-range firepower for the average infantryman; the StG 43/44 rifles created an instant impact on the battlefield.

The StG 45(M) chambered for the 7.92x33mm Kurz cartridge with a 10-round magazine. Image: U.S. Army Ordnance Museum

Even so, and while the 3^rd Reich was in its final days, Germany sought to improve their Sturmgewehr to maintain its combat performance while simplifying and streamlining production. The result was the little-known, but highly influential StG 45.

A Mauser Development

As good as it was, the StG 44 was still considered a major step down in fit and finish compared to traditional German manufacturing standards. But, as the Reich’s economy crumbled in 1944, even the initial Sturmgewehr designs had become too costly and time-consuming to manufacture. The StG 45(M) was planned as its replacement, projected to cost only 45 Reichsmarks to the StG 44’s 70.

The photo shows a German infantryman marching with an StG 44 rifle, the Sturmgewehr that entered service in 1943–44. The soldier is dressed in standard field uniform and carries the weapon slung across his body. The StG 44 features a wooden stock, curved 30-round magazine, and stamped steel receiver. It fired the 7.92x33mm Kurz intermediate cartridge, making it suitable for both semi-automatic and fully automatic fire. This design gave German infantry greater firepower at typical combat ranges of a few hundred meters. The image reflects how the StG 44 was issued in large numbers late in the war, becoming the most influential German small arm of the conflict. — The StG 44 was a breakthrough in infantry firepower and cost-effective firearms design, but the needs of the Reich in 1945 demanded the newer rifles cost even less. Image: Author’s collection

The StG 45(M) continued the use of plentiful stamped and pressed steel components, while fit and finish remained completely utilitarian. Similar to the FG 42 paratrooper’s rifle and the Sturmgewehr 44, the StG 45(M) was an early “inline” rifle; its shoulder stock and center of gravity were directly inline with the bore.

The sight line directly over the barrel helped make the StG 45(M) more accurate, easier to control on full-auto, and faster to learn — all important factors for German forces starved for capable fighting men. The StG 45(M) was to be a complete rifle for the infantry.

The image shows an exploded view of the German StG 45(M) prototype, with its individual parts separated for examination. The wooden buttstock, stamped receiver, and barrel are displayed alongside the internal roller-delayed blowback system. This arrangement clearly illustrates how Mauser engineers simplified the Sturmgewehr design for faster and cheaper wartime production. The rifle’s two-piece bolt carrier and rollers can be seen as distinct components. Each part is arranged in order, giving a visual breakdown of how the weapon assembles into a complete rifle. This exploded view helps demonstrate the innovative mechanism that would later inspire the CETME and Heckler & Koch G3 rifles. — An “exploded view” of the StG 45 showing its primary components. Image: U.S. Army Ordnance Museum

The original prototype, the MKb Gerät 06 (“Machine Carbine 06”), used a unique roller-locked mechanism adapted from the MG 42. Initial tests showed a troubling tendency for “bolt-bounce,” and Mauser designers addressed the problem with a roller-delayed blowback system. This became the “Gerät 06H” (half-locked), and eventually received the designation of Sturmgewehr 45(M). The unique roller-delayed blowback action was patented by Mauser’s Wilhelm Stähle and Ludwig Vorgrimler.

The StG 45(M) was to use the same 30-round magazine as StG 43/44, but it is almost always seen fitted with a small, 10-round magazine. Apparently, the Mauser engineers found the 10-round magazine more convenient when test-firing Sturmgewehr 45 prototypes at the Mauser ranges. Some reports claim that the 10-round magazine was intended for the Volkssturm militia — which would speak to Germany’s prevailing ammunition shortages and the desire to use the Sturmgewehr rifles in the semi-automatic mode as much as possible.

An ordnance drawing of Mauser’s 1943 experimental prototype. Note the combination compensator/muzzle brake. Image: U.S. Army Ordnance Museum

In the spring of 1945, Mauser was given an order to produce 30 examples of the StG 45(M) for troop trials and, although parts for 30 rifles existed, very few were finished before the war’s end. Several parts kits were assembled postwar for Allied forces.

After World War II

Despite never firing a shot in anger, the StG 45 survived WWII, and Mauser’s roller-locked, retarded-blowback principle was applied to several post-war rifle designs. Several of the Mauser design team continued working, this time at Centre d’Etudes et d’Armement de Mulhouse (CEAM) in France.

The photo shows Communist MPLA fighters in Angola during December 1975 holding CETME rifles. The CETME was a Spanish assault rifle directly developed from the German StG 45(M) and its roller-delayed blowback action. The fighters are standing in a field environment, dressed in simple uniforms and carrying their rifles casually. Each CETME features a long barrel, wooden furniture, and a detachable box magazine. The rifles were part of the wider Cold War supply of arms that reached Africa through Soviet and Cuban backing. This image highlights the legacy of German World War II small arms design as it reappeared decades later in a very different conflict. The MPLA would continue to use CETME and other European rifles throughout the Angolan Civil War. — These G3 rifles, evolved from the World War II era StG 45(M), are shown in the hands of Angolan Communist MPLA guerillas in December 1975. Image: Author’s collection

By 1949, German engineers Ludwig Vorgrimler and Theodor Löffler had modified the StG 45 into the CEAM Modèle 1950 — an assault rifle with a combined bipod and handguard as well as a folding buttstock. After experimenting with several cartridges, the designers settled on U.S. .30 Carbine. With France at war in Indochina and Algeria, the French opted to cancel the CEAM Modèle 1950.

With his work cancelled once again, engineer Vorgrimler moved on again. This time, he went to Spain, and was the driving force in the development of the CETME line of rifles. In January 1959, the StG 45(M) had come full circle, as the CETME rifle was adopted by the West German Army, designated as the “Automatisches Gewehr G3”.

U.S. Ordnance Reviews of the StG 45

Shortly after the war, American ordnance experts reviewed several StG 45(M) prototypes at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. The following text is excerpted from those reviews. Note that there are several terms that U.S. Ordnance used for the Sturmgewehr — including “Machine Carbine” and “Special Rifle”. Indeed, when examples of the Soviet AK-47 were captured and examined in the early 1960s, American documents refer to them as “submachine guns”.

Whatever you call it, the U.S. Ordnance descriptions of the StG 45 are as follows:

Mauser Prototype Special Rifle (Gerät 06 No. 2): An uncontracted Mauser plant development to compete in the Wa Pruf 2 “Machine Carbine” program of 1940, 1941, and 1942. Possibly only two or three specimens were made for plant experimentation and rapidly gave way to the MKb Gerät 06.

It is stated that this is the earliest form of Mauser special rifle type. The weapon is the combined gas and roller retarded blowback system associated with the standard Gerat 06. The method of operation, firing system, and general external design follow the weapon closely. Extensive use of sheet metal formed and stamped parts, and plastic is noted in its construction. The particular specimen is incomplete and has no butt stock. The absence of the combination compensator and muzzle brake found on the later types may or may not be deliberate.

The photo shows the Mauser Gerät 06 prototype, an experimental German assault rifle developed in 1943. The rifle features a stamped steel receiver, plain wooden stock, and detachable magazine similar to the Sturmgewehr 44. Its most important feature was a roller-locked blowback action, borrowed from the MG 42 machine gun. This early system experienced problems with bolt bounce, but it became the foundation for the later roller-delayed design in the StG 45(M). Only a handful of Gerät 06 rifles were ever made for testing. The weapon represents a transitional step between the StG 44 and the final wartime prototypes. Its design directly influenced postwar developments in Spain and Germany. — The Mauser Gerät 06 experimental prototype from 1943. This design tested a roller-locked action that later evolved into the StG 45(M). Image: U.S. Army Ordnance Museum

Maschinenkarabiner Gerät 06: Purely an experimental item of Mauser plant origin. Possible German service test by Wa Pruf 2 in 1943. The whole undertaking was part of an uncontracted special rifle development program at Mauser. Doubtful that more than a dozen specimens were made.

Special features: A combination compensator and muzzle brake, similar to the Soviet PPSh-41 SMG design, is assembled into the barrel jacket unit.

Remarks: Reported development of this specific type took place and was completed by 1944. Development was rapidly completed and gave way to the O6H. Appears to have a quickly detachable barrel. Fore and rear sights follow the design style set by Schmeisser at Haenel in the MP43 series. No grip pieces are used. The grip frame is directly embossed. The entire weapon makes extensive use of stamped and formed parts.

Gerät 06H (STURMGEWEHR 45 (M))

CLASSIFICATION: Special Rifle.

NOMENCLATURE (Native): Gerat 06H (S45 (m)). Grt 06H (Halbverriegelt).

NOMENCLATURE: (Common): Mauser Sturmgewehr 45 Special Rifle Experimental Type 06H.

Mauser Assault Rifle 45 (M) (CtG 45M).

ORIGIN: An evolved design simplification of the earlier combination gas and roller system special rifle designs (06 No. 2 and 06). The weapon, designed by Altenberger, Jungermann and Illenberger of the Mauser Abt. 37 in the late summer 1944, had been pre-analyzed by Maier over an 8-month period.

MANUFACTURE: Mauserwerke A.G. Oberndorf Na, Germany.

The photo shows a German StG 45(M) assault rifle prototype that was captured by Soviet forces at the end of World War II. The rifle is displayed in complete form, with its stamped steel receiver, plain wooden stock, and short magazine. Its design incorporates the roller-delayed blowback system first developed by Mauser engineers. Soviet officers studied captured examples closely, comparing them with their own small arms projects. The captured rifle reflects Germany’s attempt to simplify the Sturmgewehr design during its final months of the war. Very few examples survived, making Soviet-held rifles important historical artifacts. The StG 45(M)’s innovative action influenced later weapons worldwide, though the Soviets ultimately pursued different designs with the AK-47. — The StG 45(M), despite its low-cost design, had many modern and innovative features. Image: Author’s collection

Use & Distribution: Reported to have been intended to replace the MP44 (StG 44) MP43 series. This weapon was never put into production. Approximately 30 sets of components were produced using special wood die setups. Only one is known to have been assembled. The weapon is described as having been rejected by Wa Pruf 2, by a second source.

CALIBER: 7.9mm & 7mm
WEIGHT: 8.18 pounds
BARREL LENGTH: 15.75″
OVERALL LENGTH: 35.15″
CARTRIDGE: 7.9 Pistolen Patrone 44 and with an interchangeable barrel, the 7mm DWM MKb cartridge of 1942
MAGAZINE TYPES: The standard 30-round MP 43 series box type was used; an experimental 10-round type which was reduced from the 30-round is also used
CAPACITY: Maximum 30 rounds
TYPE OF FIRE: Semi-and full-automatic by selection
RATE OF FIRE: Reported as 350 to 450 rounds per minute
DIRECTION OF TWIST: Right
EFFECTIVE RANGE: 600 yards

Operating Systems and Design Types: Retarded blowback, utilizing the double roller locking arrangement of the earlier types, but eliminating the short stroke gas piston assist. The bolt is suitable, modified from the earlier design. A two-piece bolt carrier is used instead of assembling the bolt handle directly to the bolt body. The operating system is similar to the earlier design. The firing system is identical to the early design, being an MP43 or Walther design. Combined selector and safety.

The photo shows a German StG 45(M) magazine produced in the final months of World War II. The magazine is made from stamped sheet metal, a cost-saving method used across many late-war German firearms. It was designed to hold the 7.92x33mm Kurz cartridge and fit both the 30-round and reduced 10-round configurations. Many surviving prototypes are pictured with the shortened 10-round version, which Mauser engineers preferred for test firing. The magazine design was simple but effective, with a detachable box layout and reinforced feed lips. Its construction reflects Germany’s urgent push to simplify weapons production during 1944–45. Very few original magazines survive today, making them rare collector’s items. — The components of a 10-round StG 45(M) magazine. Most rifles were tested with shortened 10-round versions rather than full 30-round types. Image: U.S. Army Ordnance Museum

Special Features: As an experiment, Herr Kunert of Abt. 37 attempted to use barrels in the 7.9mm caliber with fluted chambers (18 flutes). The operating, feeding, and firing system was the same as standard. The intention was to improve extraction. The experiment was considered unsatisfactory and was abandoned. A small quantity of barrels chambered for the 7-mm DWM experimental MKb cartridge were prepared.

The barrels were directly interchangeable with the 7.9mm barrels. Barrels were assembled with press fit to a locking shoulder and was easily removable. Reported as equipped with a telescopic sight (mounting bracket assembled to receiver). Extensive use is made of stamped and formed parts, extra plain stock and fittings.

Conclusion

While the StG 45(M) never made it to the battlefield, its influence would be felt for decades beyond its early demise. With its innovative approach to not only design but also materials, much of the German StG 45(M) represented the future of small arms design.

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