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MG 51

December 01, 2023

The 7.5 mm Maschinengewehr 1951 or Mg 51 is a general-purpose machine gun manufactured by W+F of Switzerland. The weapon was introduced into Swiss service when the Swiss Army initiated a competition for a new service machine gun to replace the MG 11 heavy machine gun and the Furrer M25 light machine gun adopted in 1911 and 1925 respectively.

Maschinengewehr 51
Swiss presentation of the MG51
TypeGeneral-purpose machine gun
Place of originSwitzerland
Service history
In service1951–present
Used bySwiss Army
Production history
Designed1942–1950
ManufacturerWaffenfabrik Bern
Produced1951–present
Specifications
Mass16 kg (35.27 lb) (with bipod)
26 kg (57.32 lb) (with tripod)
Length1,270 mm (50.0 in)
Barrel length563 mm (22.2 in)
Cartridge7.5×55mm Swiss
Caliber7.5 mm
ActionShort–recoil, flapper-locked
Rate of fire1,000 rounds per minute,
570 and 1,000 rounds per minute (Pz Mg 87)
Muzzle velocity750 m/s (2,460 ft/s)
Effective firing range100 – 2,000 m sight adjustments
Feed system50-round magazine
belt
SightsIron sights
2.3x optical sight

History edit

Around 1942 the Swiss army initiated a competition for a new service machine gun to replace both the “heavy” MG 11 and the “light” Lmg25, adopted in 1911 and 1925 respectively. According to the specifications of the Kriegstechnische Abteilung (KTA) (War Technology Department), the maximum cyclic rate of fire of 1,000 rounds per minute should not be exceeded. Three participants joined the competition–government-owned Waffenfabrik Bern, and privately owned factories SIG and Hispano-Suiza. Waffenfabrik Bern based its development on the hugely successful World War II German MG 42 and its accessories.

The first prototypes emerged in around 1944, and looked much like MG 42, although the shape of receiver and butt was somewhat different. With all these prototypes, short shots were detected, which could not be tolerated, as the Swiss overshoot their own troops during live fire exercises.

The final design, which appeared in 1950, was in most respects still similar to the MG 42, although many components were produced by machining instead of stamping, which increased the weight, the stability and the production costs of the machine gun. To prevent locking timing induced short shots problems, Waffenfabrik Bern changed the locking system from roller locking to flapper locking. These locking methods are similar in concept. The resulting weapon was in the light machine gun role 4.4 kg (9.70 lb) heavier than the German MG 42, and much more finely made and finished.

The MG 51 served as a primary infantry and vehicle machine gun for Swiss army. The Mg 51 was usually fired in the medium machine gun role from its universal tripod at operating ranges of 600 to 1,500 m (656 to 1,640 yd). When deployed in the light machine gun role at close range up to 600 m (656 yd), short bursts of 6 shots could be fired from its bipod and in mobile assaults it was also possible to shoot from a standing position from the hip. Since 2005 the MG 51 was gradually replaced in service with lighter and less expensive, but also less powerful 5.56mm FN Minimi machine gun of Belgian origin and manufacture.

Design details edit

The MG 51 is a short-recoil-operated, locked breech, air-cooled and automatic only, belt-fed weapon. It uses a locking system with a two-piece bolt and dual locking flaps located in the front part of the bolt. These flaps engage the cuts made in the short barrel extension to provide rigid locking. Upon recoil, the flaps are retracted toward the center of the bolt, to unlock it. An additional lever-type bolt accelerator is provided; it is located in receiver, next to the barrel breech and below the bolt. The gun housing also somewhat resembles the German MG 42, although it is made from two separate parts – the barrel jacket (made from stamped steel) and receiver (a solid machined body). The barrel jacket is permanently welded to the front of the receiver.

The barrel can be changed rapidly if required; the barrel change procedure is similar to that of the MG 42, with the locking latch located at the right side of the jacket, which is opened to provide a barrel replacement window.

The belt feed system is also similar to the MG 42, with single-stage cartridge feed that uses open-pocket steel belts (push-through type) and a two-stage belt pull (on both the opening and closing movement of the bolt). Feed is from the left side. Ammunition boxes could hold up to 200 belted rounds. For the mobile role, 50-round belts can be loaded into drum-type containers, which are clipped to the side of the gun

The standard open-type iron sighting line is graduated from 100 to 2,000 meters (109 to 2,187 yd) in 100 meters (109 yd) increments and the front sight element is mounted on a folding post. Alternatively a 2.3× optical sight is available that can also be used up to 2,000 meters (2,187 yd).

For the light machine gun role a folding bipod is fitted to the barrel jacket. For the medium machine gun role (sustained or long range fire missions) a universal heavy tripod was developed.

With the Flab (Flugabwehr) mount, the MG 51 was also used for frontal combat against aircraft up to a distance of around 800 m (875 yd).

Early production guns had wooden pistol grips and buttstocks; more modern guns have polymer furniture.

Variants edit

  • Mg 51: Standard version
  • Mg 51/71: Version for vehicles like the Mowag Eagle or Pz 68
  • Mg 51/80: Version for fortifications
  • Pz Mg 87: Coaxial version for the Pz 87 with electromagnetic trigger

The Pz Mg 51/71 is a vehicle-mounted variant for armoured vehicles like the MOWAG Eagle scout car. The Pz 55 and 57 (Centurion Mk 5/2 and Centurion Mk 7/2), Panzer 68 battle tanks and the Entp Pz 65 recovery tank all featured various Mg 51-based Pz Mg variants to fit as coaxial or pintle-mounted (anti-aircraft) machine guns.

The more modern Pz Mg 87 variant is used on the Pz 87 "Leopard 2" tank, with the only difference being an electromagnetic trigger, along with a switch allowing a 50% reduced fire rate, and a mount to fit inside the armour instead of the forward frame.

Gallery edit

  •  

    Mg 51 on a tripod with accessories. Notice the tubular (spare) barrel protector used as a field accessory.

  •  

    Mg 51 on a Flab anti-aircraft mount

  •  

    MOWAG Eagle III armed with a remote weapon station mounted Pz Mg 51/71

  •  

    Mg 51/80 in a fortification

  •  

    Belt filling machine in a fortification

  •  

    Pz 55 armed with a coaxial and pintle-mounted Mg 51

  •  

    Pz 68 armed with a coaxial and pintle-mounted Mg 51

  •  

    Pz 87 armed with a coaxial Pz Mg 87

Notice the tubular barrel protectors used as a field accessory.

See also edit

Users edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Waffenfabrik Bern (W+F) MG51". www.militaryfactory.com.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to W+F Mg. 51.

December 01, 2023
help, expand, this, article, with, text, translated, from, corresponding, article, german, june, 2010, click, show, important, translation, instructions, view, machine, translated, version, german, article, machine, translation, like, deepl, google, translate,. You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in German June 2010 Click show for important translation instructions View a machine translated version of the German article Machine translation like DeepL or Google Translate is a useful starting point for translations but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate rather than simply copy pasting machine translated text into the English Wikipedia Consider adding a topic to this template there are already 8 943 articles in the main category and specifying topic will aid in categorization Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low quality If possible verify the text with references provided in the foreign language article You must provide copyright attribution in the edit summary accompanying your translation by providing an interlanguage link to the source of your translation A model attribution edit summary is Content in this edit is translated from the existing German Wikipedia article at de MG 51 see its history for attribution You should also add the template Translated de MG 51 to the talk page For more guidance see Wikipedia Translation This article includes a list of references related reading or external links but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations December 2012 Learn how and when to remove this template message The 7 5 mm Maschinengewehr 1951 or Mg 51 is a general purpose machine gun manufactured by W F of Switzerland The weapon was introduced into Swiss service when the Swiss Army initiated a competition for a new service machine gun to replace the MG 11 heavy machine gun and the Furrer M25 light machine gun adopted in 1911 and 1925 respectively Maschinengewehr 51Swiss presentation of the MG51TypeGeneral purpose machine gunPlace of originSwitzerlandService historyIn service1951 presentUsed bySwiss ArmyProduction historyDesigned1942 1950ManufacturerWaffenfabrik BernProduced1951 presentSpecificationsMass16 kg 35 27 lb with bipod 26 kg 57 32 lb with tripod Length1 270 mm 50 0 in Barrel length563 mm 22 2 in Cartridge7 5 55mm SwissCaliber7 5 mmActionShort recoil flapper lockedRate of fire1 000 rounds per minute 570 and 1 000 rounds per minute Pz Mg 87 Muzzle velocity750 m s 2 460 ft s Effective firing range100 2 000 m sight adjustmentsFeed system50 round magazinebeltSightsIron sights2 3x optical sight Contents 1 History 2 Design details 3 Variants 4 Gallery 5 See also 6 Users 7 References 8 External linksHistory editAround 1942 the Swiss army initiated a competition for a new service machine gun to replace both the heavy MG 11 and the light Lmg25 adopted in 1911 and 1925 respectively According to the specifications of the Kriegstechnische Abteilung KTA War Technology Department the maximum cyclic rate of fire of 1 000 rounds per minute should not be exceeded Three participants joined the competition government owned Waffenfabrik Bern and privately owned factories SIG and Hispano Suiza Waffenfabrik Bern based its development on the hugely successful World War II German MG 42 and its accessories The first prototypes emerged in around 1944 and looked much like MG 42 although the shape of receiver and butt was somewhat different With all these prototypes short shots were detected which could not be tolerated as the Swiss overshoot their own troops during live fire exercises The final design which appeared in 1950 was in most respects still similar to the MG 42 although many components were produced by machining instead of stamping which increased the weight the stability and the production costs of the machine gun To prevent locking timing induced short shots problems Waffenfabrik Bern changed the locking system from roller locking to flapper locking These locking methods are similar in concept The resulting weapon was in the light machine gun role 4 4 kg 9 70 lb heavier than the German MG 42 and much more finely made and finished The MG 51 served as a primary infantry and vehicle machine gun for Swiss army The Mg 51 was usually fired in the medium machine gun role from its universal tripod at operating ranges of 600 to 1 500 m 656 to 1 640 yd When deployed in the light machine gun role at close range up to 600 m 656 yd short bursts of 6 shots could be fired from its bipod and in mobile assaults it was also possible to shoot from a standing position from the hip Since 2005 the MG 51 was gradually replaced in service with lighter and less expensive but also less powerful 5 56mm FN Minimi machine gun of Belgian origin and manufacture Design details editThe MG 51 is a short recoil operated locked breech air cooled and automatic only belt fed weapon It uses a locking system with a two piece bolt and dual locking flaps located in the front part of the bolt These flaps engage the cuts made in the short barrel extension to provide rigid locking Upon recoil the flaps are retracted toward the center of the bolt to unlock it An additional lever type bolt accelerator is provided it is located in receiver next to the barrel breech and below the bolt The gun housing also somewhat resembles the German MG 42 although it is made from two separate parts the barrel jacket made from stamped steel and receiver a solid machined body The barrel jacket is permanently welded to the front of the receiver The barrel can be changed rapidly if required the barrel change procedure is similar to that of the MG 42 with the locking latch located at the right side of the jacket which is opened to provide a barrel replacement window The belt feed system is also similar to the MG 42 with single stage cartridge feed that uses open pocket steel belts push through type and a two stage belt pull on both the opening and closing movement of the bolt Feed is from the left side Ammunition boxes could hold up to 200 belted rounds For the mobile role 50 round belts can be loaded into drum type containers which are clipped to the side of the gunThe standard open type iron sighting line is graduated from 100 to 2 000 meters 109 to 2 187 yd in 100 meters 109 yd increments and the front sight element is mounted on a folding post Alternatively a 2 3 optical sight is available that can also be used up to 2 000 meters 2 187 yd For the light machine gun role a folding bipod is fitted to the barrel jacket For the medium machine gun role sustained or long range fire missions a universal heavy tripod was developed With the Flab Flugabwehr mount the MG 51 was also used for frontal combat against aircraft up to a distance of around 800 m 875 yd Early production guns had wooden pistol grips and buttstocks more modern guns have polymer furniture Variants editMg 51 Standard version Mg 51 71 Version for vehicles like the Mowag Eagle or Pz 68 Mg 51 80 Version for fortifications Pz Mg 87 Coaxial version for the Pz 87 with electromagnetic triggerThe Pz Mg 51 71 is a vehicle mounted variant for armoured vehicles like the MOWAG Eagle scout car The Pz 55 and 57 Centurion Mk 5 2 and Centurion Mk 7 2 Panzer 68 battle tanks and the Entp Pz 65 recovery tank all featured various Mg 51 based Pz Mg variants to fit as coaxial or pintle mounted anti aircraft machine guns The more modern Pz Mg 87 variant is used on the Pz 87 Leopard 2 tank with the only difference being an electromagnetic trigger along with a switch allowing a 50 reduced fire rate and a mount to fit inside the armour instead of the forward frame Gallery edit nbsp Mg 51 on a tripod with accessories Notice the tubular spare barrel protector used as a field accessory nbsp Mg 51 on a Flab anti aircraft mount nbsp MOWAG Eagle III armed with a remote weapon station mounted Pz Mg 51 71 nbsp Mg 51 80 in a fortification nbsp Belt filling machine in a fortification nbsp Pz 55 armed with a coaxial and pintle mounted Mg 51 nbsp Pz 68 armed with a coaxial and pintle mounted Mg 51 nbsp Pz 87 armed with a coaxial Pz Mg 87Notice the tubular barrel protectors used as a field accessory See also editMG 42Users edit nbsp Denmark chambered for 30 06 Springfield 1 nbsp SwitzerlandReferences edit Waffenfabrik Bern W F MG51 www militaryfactory com External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to W F Mg 51 W F MG 51 Modern Firearms Modern Firearms MG 51 machine gun http www plaenkler ch mg 51 permanent dead link Flapper Locking Makes A Comeback in AA 338 Lapua Flapper Locking Video Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title MG 51 amp oldid 1178496302, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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