STG-44

The STG-44 or the Sturmgewehr 44 is a select-fire assault rifle created in Nazi Germany during World War 2. They are issued to troops of the Millennium Organization, as well as the Letzte Bataillon, following the defeat of Germany.

Profile
The STG-44 was designed based around the principals of merging the high rate of fire from a machine gun, with the power of a rifle. The rifle is 94 cm (37 in) long, with a barrel length of 42 cm (16.5 in). It's unloaded mass is 4.6 kg (10 lb 2 oz), with a loaded weight of 5.13 kg (11 lb 5 oz). The weapon possesses a select-fire capability, allowing for both semi and fully automatic fire, capable of 500-600 rounds per minute and a muzzle velocity of 685 m/s. The rifle's ammunition comes in a magazine of 30 rounds, chambered in the 7.92×33mm Kurz ammunition,

History
The STG-44 came about following the start of World War 2. German troops were issued the Kar98k, which had excellent range, however because of it's length, it was unwieldy in terms of close quarters. Other troops were issued the submachine gun, such as the MP38, MP40 and even variants of the MP18, which though it possessed a high rate of fire, close combat effectiveness and magazine capacity, it lacked the range of a rifle. It was then decided to merge the weapons together to create a new class, the assault rifle. Early prototypes were created from 2 companies, C. G. Haenel and Walther, who created ideal prototypes, called the MKb-42(H) for Haenel and MKb-42(W) for Walther. Between the two rifles, Haenel's design was superior, so it would then go under refinement before being completed.

By the time of the weapon's construction and successful tests, politics of the Third Reich wanted no more rifles, but automatic weapons such as submachine guns and regular machine guns. Despite this, the company manufacturing the new weapon branded it as the MP-43 or MP-44 (Machinenpistole), even though it was not such a weapon. Later on, Hitler inspected troops on the Eastern Front, where he not only was introduced to the weapon, but it was demonstrated in his presence. With this, Hitler found it to be a possible piece of propaganda, rebranding the weapon the STG-44. Following this, the weapon would see extensive use throughout the remainder of the war, up until the reich's inevitable defeat by 1945. Following it's defeat from both fronts, the STG-44 would go on to inspire countless other assault rifles, such as the Russian AK series and even the American M-16. It also saw some limited use by East German forces until 1962.

Usage In Hellsing Series
Since the end of the second world war, the remnant Nazi group, known as the Millennium Organization and it's Letzte Bataillon had troops throughout using various now, obsolete arms of the failed reich. The STG-44 was among these very weapons.

Manga
In chapter 32 of the manga, a member of the Waffen SS led by Rip Van Winkle was seen with a STG-44, prior to engaging Alucard on the deck. Chapter 41 also showed a soldier falling in battle to the Iscariots, with an STG-44 in his hand. Chapter 53 shows a member of the Waffen SS firing on Seras with his STG-44 before being killed.

Episode 6-Episode 7
Following the crash landing of her zeppelin, Zorin Blitz commanded what remained of her SS troops. Some of which, carried the STG-44, alongside the MP40, Panzerfausts and Kar98k. They also went onto wield them against the Wild Geese and Seras Victoria. Following Seras becoming a true vampire when drinking the blood of Pip Bernadotte, an SS soldier was seen opening fire at her, only to be taken down in the process.