Kampfpistole
Kampfpistole | |
---|---|
This photo is of a Leuchtpistole 34. The Kampfpistole was nearly identical except it had a rifled barrel. | |
Type | Flare gun |
Place of origin | Nazi Germany |
Service history | |
In service | 1939-1945 |
Used by | Germany |
Production history | |
Designer | Walther |
Manufacturer | Walther Erma |
Specifications | |
Mass | 1.4 kg (3 lb 1 oz) |
Length | 155 mm (6.1 in)[1] |
Cartridge | Fallschirm Leuchtpatrone Nebelpatrone Sprengpatrone |
Caliber | 23 mm (0.91 in) |
Action | Break action |
Feed system | Single shot[1] |
The Kampfpistole or "combat pistol" in English was a flare gun introduced into German service during 1939 and served throughout World War II.
Design
The Kampfpistole was a single shot, break action, flare gun designed and produced by Walther that was a variant of the earlier Leuchtpistole 34. Externally both the Kampfpistole and the Leuchtpistole 34 were nearly identical. The difference between the two models was the Kampfpistole had a rifled barrel while the Leuchtpistole 34 was a smoothbore gun. The Kampfpistole could be identified by a Z engraved on the barrel of the gun. The Kampfpistole's frame was machined from duralumin, the barrel was machined from steel, was blued to stop corrosion, and had bakelite pistol grips.[1]
Ammunition
The primary roles for the Kampfpistole were signaling, illumination, target marking, or concealment with a smoke grenade. Later during World War II, explosive rounds were developed to give German troops a small and lightweight grenade launcher for engaging targets from close range which could not be engaged satisfactorily by infantry weapons or artillery without endangering friendly troops.[2]
Available projectiles included:
- Fallschirm Leuchtpatrone - This was a non-lethal parachute retarded flare that could be used for battlefield illumination or as a signal flare. The projectile can be identified by its "F. Leucht. Z." marking on the base of the projectile.[3]
- Nebelpatrone - This was a non-lethal smoke grenade with a nose fuze that could be used for target marking or concealment. It was similar in appearance to explosive grenades and could be identified by its "NEBEL. Z" marking on the base of the projectile.[3]
- Sprengpatrone - A nose fuzed high explosive grenade that was used for low angle direct fire where range and accuracy were needed. It was not recommended for use beyond 180 m (200 yd) due to inaccuracy or less than 46 m (50 yd) due to the risk from shell fragments.[2]
Gallery
- Fallschirm Leuchtpatrone
- Nebelpatrone
- Sprengpatrone
References
- ^ a b c "Mod. Kampfpistole". leuchtpistole.free.fr. Retrieved 2019-02-13.
- ^ a b United States. War Department. Military Intelligence Division (1943-01-01). Tactical And Technical Trends, Nos. 21-30.
- ^ a b unknown (1 August 1945). Catalog Of Enemy Ordnance Material. www.paperlessarchives.com/FreeTitles/CatalogOfEnemyOrdnanceMateriel.pdf: Office of the chief of ordnance. p. 326.
- v
- t
- e
- FG 42
- G 98/40
- Gewehr 41
- Gewehr 43/Karabiner 43
- Grossfuss Sturmgewehr
- Karabinek wz. 1929
- Karabiner 98k
- M30 Luftwaffe drilling
- MKb 42(W) / MKb 42(H)
- MP 43/MP 44/StG 44
- StG 45(M)
- VG 1-5
other larger weapons
- Kampfpistole
- Leuchtpistole 34
- Leuchtpistole 42
- Schiessbecher
- Sturmpistole
- Blendkörper 1H
- Blendkörper 2H
- Fallschirm Leuchtpatrone
- Gewehr-Panzergranate
- Gross Gewehr-Panzergranate
- Gewehr-Granatpatrone 40
- Gross Panzergranate 46 & 61
- Gewehr-Sprenggranate
- Hafthohlladung
- Model 1924 Stielhandgranate
- Model 1939 Eihandgranate
- Model 1943 Stielhandgranate
- Multi-Star Signal Cartridge
- Nebelpatrone
- Panzerwurfkörper 42
- Panzerwurfmine
- Propaganda-Gewehrgranate
- Shaving Stick Grenade
- Splitterring
- Sprengpatrone
- Wurfgranate Patrone 326
- Wurfkörper 361
weapons
- Modele 1935A as Pistole 625(f)
- Kongsberg Colt as Pistole 657(n)
- Browning Hi-Power as Pistole 640(b)
- M1911 as Pistole 660(a)
- PPSh-41 as MP 717(r)
- Radom wz. 35 Vis as Pistole 645(p)
- Puška vz. 24 as Gewehr 24(t)
- Puška vz. 33 as Gewehr 33/40(t)
- Lewis gun as leMG 137(e)
- Bren light machine gun as leMG 138(e)
- Kulomet vz. 37 as leMG 148(j)/MG 37(t)
- Browning wz. 1928 (BAR) as leMG 154/2(p)
- Beretta Model 38/42 as MP 738(i)
- ZB vz. 26 as leMG 146/1(j)
- Sten MK I-III as MP 748-750(e)
- PPS-43 submachine gun as MP 719(r)
- SVT-40 as Sl.-Gewehr 259(r)
- M1 Garand as Sl.-Gewehr 251(a)
- Kb ppanc wz. 35 as PzB 770(p)
- Bazooka as RPzB 788(a)
- M1917 Enfield as Gewehr 250(a)
- M1903 Enfield as Gewehr 249(a)
- M1 carbine as Karabiner 455(a)
- Thompson Model 1928 as MP 760/2(r)
of the Wehrmacht