MP44/Stg44 Question

[Schnellmeyer]

I am looking for information to see if either the MP44 or Stg44 ever used blanks while in training during WW2 . I have seen footage of reenactors using MP44 in mock battles but never the real thing , I would be grateful for any help, thanks .

[bodes]

I doubt they took the time to blank adapt MP/Stg44's.....The weapons were of such limited quantities and in great demand, that they were shipped out rather quickly....Especially to the Russian front, where they were looking for any thing to increase the firepower over their outdated K98k's....Bodes

[bodes]

Not to mention you would have to develop special Kurz blanks.....Bodes

[pitfighter]

They started trials on a wooden blank cartridge in March 1942.
Platzpatrone mp7.9me

According to the book "Sturmgewehr" - it took quite a few trials and tests to get it working correctly, differences in wood, wadding size and powder load combined with what they call a muzzle cone (blank adaptor)
Blanks were produced in relatively small numbers - 500, then 1500, then 100 for testing.
(There is a nice diagram or two of two blanks cross sectioned as draftsman's plans in the book - a great book BTW.)

They felt they got it right in June 1944 - a Nitrozellulose-Staubpulver powder weight of 1.0g with a 4.6mm muzzle cone - Type 30/40 primer and no wad.
The blanks were not ready in time and the trials had to be postponed - but by this time, standard ball was taking priority.

Descriptions of the MP44 firing had it giving a punishing muzzle blast and flash-back towards the firer - "...particles towards the face..."

All very dramatic - I use Atlantic Wall blanks in my Heanel X-block 1945 MP44 with no back blast issues, lol.

[pitfighter]

They have a photo of the wooden blank, too.
Headstamp - ak St 4 45

(There were four different types of grenade launching blank as well. One of the grenade blanks had an extended metal case, not the wooden projectile - which is interesting. But, these were not for use in troop exercises per se.)

[bodes]

Pitifighter, Thanks for the clarification....It doesn't surprise me the Germans wanted to design/build blank ammunition for their kurz weapons.....However, as we all know things greatly deteriorated for Germany from 1942 to 1944.....They did blank adapt the G/K43's but they already had wooden patronen for use in the K98k's.....It would make sense than by 1944, that urgency would dictate that German munitions manufacturers concentrated on turning out regular kurz ball ammunition.....By this time, putting troops through war games, blank adapting their weapons was really a foregone conclusion.....Bodes

[Schnellmeyer]

Thanks pitfighter for your help , exactly what I was looking for .
Just out of interest what type of blank firing attachment do you use on your MP44 ?

[pitfighter]

End of the barrel is tapped and fitted for a screw in plug (I can use different size plug for FF or half flash blanks) - I cannot use the screw on BFA that replaces the thread protector as that is quite obvious.

Bodes - remember the MP44 was started as the Mkb42 in 1942, and Polte officially unveiled the Kurz 7.92x33 in 1941 - so the little round was around some time, with plenty of time for training and field exercises.

There are headstamp dates as early as 1941 (aux 7.9 2 41) in the book - although the earliest rounds I have in my collection are 1944 - and I keep buying this stuff, lol. I would love some of those early headstamps - I am sure there are collectors on this forum who have some rare rounds squirreled away.
Tracer, AP, explosive (for the Gestapo supposedly), blanks, grenade blanks, dummy, gunsmiths dummy with measuring marks.

[bodes]

End of the barrel is tapped and fitted for a screw in plug (I can use different size plug for FF or half flash blanks) - I cannot use the screw on BFA that replaces the thread protector as that is quite obvious.

Bodes - remember the MP44 was started as the Mkb42 in 1942, and Polte officially unveiled the Kurz 7.92x33 in 1941 - so the little round was around some time, with plenty of time for training and field exercises.

There are headstamp dates as early as 1941 (aux 7.9 2 41) in the book - although the earliest rounds I have in my collection are 1944 - and I keep buying this stuff, lol. I would love some of those early headstamps - I am sure there are collectors on this forum who have some rare rounds squirreled away.
Tracer, AP, explosive (for the Gestapo supposedly), blanks, grenade blanks, dummy, gunsmiths dummy with measuring marks.

Pitifighter, Yeah I knew the kurz round was around for some time......However Adolf Hitler got in the way of many new projects.....Remember he wanted to turn the Me-262 into a blitz bomber......Some thing it wasn't designed for.....He also felt the K98k was sufficient in the First World War, and couldn't see why it wouldn't be the same way in the present conflict.....As we all know the MP43 went into production behind Hitler's back....Than later got his blessing when he found out how effective it was.....He was the one who dubbed it the Sturmgewehr and I'm sure took credit for it's success....Bodes