Forgotten Weapons of WW2

[Dr.Zubrato]

In 1938 production of a semi-automatic carbine began in Poland during a period after the bravely won polish-soviet war but on the cusp of the second world war. The reports vary on the amount of carbines manufactured, but what is known is that there are only two left in existence, one in a private collection somewhere in the USA and the other in the Military Museum in Warsaw, Poland.

Jozef Maroszek, the original designer of the rifle had also been contracted for the polish anti-tank rifle wz. 35 "Ur" named for the crates that were used to conceal the weapons, Surveillance Equipment addressed to Uruguay. More is known about this rifle, and I could go on but I'd like to dedicate this particular post to the wz. 38m

quoted info from http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=115788

The third and final winner was Józef Maroszek (the Maroszek, known best after wz.35 ATR) self loading rifle. The weapon was gas operated with gas chamber below barrel, return spring was in op rod, under barrel. It had tilting bolt and locking stop in rear surface of loading/ejecting opening on top of receiver. Bolt carrier rigidly connected with op rod and piston. Cocking handle could be twisted to hold moving assembly in rear after it was stopped by magazine follower after last round was fired - before reloading. It had 10-rds non-detachable magazine loaded with standard Mauser 5-rds clips. Reportedly magazine box dimensions closely follow those of 20-rds magazine of wz.28 lmg (licensed version of belgian BAR). There was a muzzle brake.
The weapon was accurate, durable, simple to produce, operate and maintain. It was standarised as karabin samopowtarzalny wz.38, shortened to "kbsp wz.38" with "M" added after Maroszek last name. According to ideas discussed in pre-WW2 Polish military press, probably the first to be issued with wz.38Ms would be marksmen in each squad, and it was planned that as number produced grew, it would gradually replace all bolt action rifles.

Pictures can be found at:
http://www.forgottenweapons.com/ (Great website with lots of detailed pictures of weapons lost to history)

I have also done some deep interweb searching and have found a pdf with dimensions of most of the parts for the rifle, however some pages are missing. Most are there and include pictures. If someone can recommend a good filesharing site I can post the link up here for all to enjoy.

I read a lot here and I don't post too much but I thought this weapon deserved recognition for several very important early features on rifles in 1938. With a non detachable magazine 10 semi-automatic rounds that could be reloaded when low on ammo using stripper clips, I think this rifle could have pulled its fair share if it was given a chance but it was too little and too late.
in 1939 Hitler invaded Poland from the west, and a week or two later Russia invaded Poland from the East as previously agreed at secret meetings between the two powers.
As a result this design never really materialized in large numbers.

 

[KodiakBeer]

That's a very nice looking rifle. Very compact and somewhat resembling the Winchester .351 rifle.

 

[Al Thompson]

Interesting. Looks AK-ish in the link provided.

 

[Cosmoline]

It surprised me to learn that the FN-49 had mostly be designed pre-war, and that the Brits had a chance to manufacture it but decided not to. I wonder if any prototypes were made.

 

[KodiakBeer]

 

[Hatterasguy]

It surprised me to learn that the FN-49 had mostly be designed pre-war, and that the Brits had a chance to manufacture it but decided not to. I wonder if any prototypes were made.

I was just going to say that, you beat me to it!


Sounds a lot like the FN49's story. How the design team fled across Europe with the prints just ahead of the Germany attack on Belgium and France and ended up in Britian.

I want to say I think some prototypes were tested but the British never really showed much interest.

Its a shame, it would have served well alongside the Garand.