Seller Type: WW2C

Seller ID: JMW

Return Policy: 3-day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.

Description:

This original “very rare” original stg44 sturmgewehr butt stock field manual. Every rifle was issued with one in the buttstock for soldiers in the field. The manual is oil stained and fairly worn, with delicate pages. All pages are intact and only the front cover page is ripped, but slightly. There are 15 pages, and the manual is dated 1944.

• Certified Authentic

History

The STG44 (Sturmgewehr 44) was the world’s first true assault rifle, designed by the German Wehrmacht during the Second World War. In 1944, a dedicated field manual was issued to instruct soldiers in the proper operation, maintenance, and tactical use of this revolutionary firearm. The manual emphasized the weapon’s adaptability, combining the range and firepower of a rifle with the controllability of a submachine gun.

Manual Details

• Title: Gebrauchsanleitung für das Sturmgewehr 44 (Instruction Manual for the STG44)
• Date of Issue: 1944
• Language: German (originally printed in Gothic-style script)
• Distribution: Issued to Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS units fielding the STG44

Content of the Manual

1. Introduction & Purpose
   The manual introduced the STG44 as a new weapon category—the Sturmgewehr, or “assault rifle.” It explained that the rifle was chambered for the 7.92×33mm Kurz (short) cartridge, balancing range, power, and recoil.
2. Technical Specifications

• Caliber: 7.92×33mm Kurz
• Operation: Gas-operated, selective-fire
• Weight (unloaded): approx. 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg)
• Length: 940 mm (37 in)
• Rate of Fire: 500–600 rounds per minute
• Magazine: 30-round detachable box
• Effective Range: 300–400 meters (full-auto), 600 meters (semi-auto)

3. Operation & Handling
   The manual instructed soldiers on:

• Loading and unloading magazines
• Operating the fire selector switch (semi-automatic or fully automatic)
• Clearing jams and stoppages
• Proper grip and firing stance to manage recoil

4. Maintenance & Care
   Detailed cleaning routines were emphasized, including:

• Field stripping the rifle into major components
• Cleaning the gas piston, chamber, and barrel
• Oiling metal surfaces to prevent rust
• Inspecting magazines and springs for wear

5. Tactical Employment
   The manual stressed the squad-level impact of the STG44:

• Fire superiority against Allied infantry at medium ranges
• Use of controlled bursts for suppressive fire
• Semi-automatic fire for accuracy at longer ranges
• Integration with grenadiers and machine-gun teams

6. Accessories & Attachments
   The manual also covered issued accessories:

• Sling for carrying
• Cleaning kit stored in the buttstock
• ZF4 4x scope (optional sniper configuration)
• Krummlauf curved barrel attachment for close-quarters and armored vehicle use

Historical Significance

The 1944 STG44 field manual represented a turning point in small-arms doctrine. By formalizing the training for this hybrid weapon, the German military effectively laid the groundwork for postwar assault rifles, including the Soviet AK-47 and later NATO designs like the M16. Surviving original manuals are highly collectible today, valued for their rarity and insight into WWII German military doctrine.