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MG 13
MG 13
MG 13
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The MG 13 (the shortened version of the German word Maschinengewehr 13) is a German light machine gun developed by converting the Dreyse Model 1918 heavy water-cooled machine gun into an air-cooled version.[1]

Key Information

History

[edit]

In 1907 Louis Schmeisser of Erfurt patented a machine gun which was named in honor of the inventor of the Dreyse needle gun by the executives of the factory where it was created, which was founded by Dreyse. After the 1912 version of the Dreyse machine gun was evaluated, a new version was designed in 1918 to replace it. This version would eventually serve as the base of the MG 13. The Dreyse machine gun was a heavy, usually tripod mounted, belt-fed and water cooled machine gun.

The 1907 model was succeeded by the 1912 model, which was in turn succeeded by the 1918 model. At some point an order was given to the Suhl-based Simson company, to modernize the 1918 model, which resulted in the creation of the Maschinengewehr 13.[1]

Usage

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MG 13 in Anti-Aircraft Mount.

The MG 13 was introduced into service in 1930, where it served as the standard light machine gun of Germany until 1935.[1] It was superseded by the MG 34 and later by the MG 42.

An unusual feature of the MG 13 was its double-crescent trigger, which provided a select fire capability without the need for a fire mode selector switch. Pressing the upper segment of the trigger produced semi-automatic fire, while pressing the lower segment of the trigger produced fully automatic fire. It fires from a closed bolt, by using an internal hammer.

Surplus units of the MG 13 were supplied to Francisco Franco and to his Falangist political party in order to assist them in the Spanish Civil War. Later on they were instead sold to his Spanish State, where they retained the original German MG 13 designation. They were also sold to Portugal, where they remained in active service until the late 1940s as the Metralhadora 7,92 mm m/1938 Dreyse.[1]

As the MG 34 was introduced into service, the MG 13 was slowly phased out and placed in storage. However, they were reissued during World War II, primarily to static defense and lower quality units. Because it was fairly easy to handle and to reload the machine gun, these lesser quality troops were generally capable of using the MG 13 rather efficiently.

On later examples a 75-round "double drum" (saddle drum) magazine was also used. It was equipped with a folding butt stock and a carrying handle.[2] It was used in the turret of the Panzerkampfwagen I.[3]

The Chinese Nationalist government also imported the MG 13, together with the Panzerkampfwagen I Ausf. A light tank from Germany, in 1936. A year later, those MG 13s were being used by the Chinese National Revolutionary Army against Japan's Imperial Japanese Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War.[citation needed] And Portugal used it as a squad automatic weapon (SAW) during the Portuguese Colonial War, under the name m/938.[4]

The Bundeswehr Museum of German Defense Technology in Koblenz has one of this specimen in its collection.

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References

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MG 13

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from Grokipedia
The MG 13 (Maschinengewehr 13) was a German light machine gun developed in the late 1920s by Rheinmetall through the modification of the World War I-era Dreyse Model 1918 water-cooled heavy machine gun into an air-cooled, magazine-fed design. Adopted by the Wehrmacht in 1932 and designated to mimic a pre-World War I weapon to circumvent Versailles Treaty restrictions, it served as a temporary squad automatic weapon until the more advanced MG 34 entered widespread service in the mid-1930s. Chambered in 7.92×57mm Mauser, the MG 13 featured a short-recoil operation, closed-bolt firing mechanism, and a rate of fire of approximately 500 rounds per minute, with an effective range of 1,000 meters and a maximum range of 2,000 meters. Weighing around 10.9 kg with its bipod and measuring 1,466 mm in overall length (approximately 1,340 mm with stock folded), the MG 13 was equipped with a 25-round curved box magazine as standard, though a 75-round twin (Doppeltrommel 13) was later introduced for extended , including anti-aircraft roles. It included a folding shoulder stock, adjustable spring, and a ventilated barrel jacket for cooling, allowing it to function reliably in both and secondary crew-served configurations. The weapon's hammer-fired system supported selective fire modes via a rocking trigger, enabling semi-automatic or full-automatic operation, though its magazine-fed limited sustained compared to belt-fed contemporaries. During the early stages of , the MG 13 saw limited frontline use by German infantry and armored units, including mounting in early Panzer tanks for coaxial roles, before being largely phased out by 1940 in favor of the and MG 42. Exports included approximately 2,000 units to the Francoist forces in the and 2,800 to in 1938, where it was redesignated the M/938 and employed as a squad support weapon. Post-war, continued its use in colonial conflicts, such as in starting in 1961, until replacement by NATO-standard 7.62mm weapons around 1962.

Development

Origins

The MG 13 originated as a clandestine effort in 1928 to modernize World War I-era designs amid the Treaty of Versailles prohibitions on German heavy machine gun production, which limited the Reichswehr to outdated or light weapons. Rheinmetall, leveraging patents held from Louis Schmeisser, adapted the water-cooled Dreyse MG 1918 heavy machine gun into an air-cooled light machine gun variant designated Gerät 13, reclassifying it as a pre-1918 design to evade Allied inspections. This conversion emphasized squad portability by stripping the water jacket and integrating a heavy barrel with perforated cooling jacket for sustained fire without excessive weight. Prototypes underwent rigorous late-1920s trials by the , focusing on maneuverability for support roles, leading to its official adoption in 1932 as the standard , supplanting the cumbersome MG 08/15. It served in this capacity until supplanted by the in 1935.

Production

Production of the commenced in at the branch factory in Sömmerda, the former Dreyse facility where the original design had been developed. By 1935, several thousand units had been manufactured, providing the with a lightweight during the initial phases of rearmament under the restrictions. Following the adoption of the in 1935, main production for the ceased, though limited assembly from stockpiled parts continued into the early to meet training and reserve needs. Exports, such as 2,800 units to in the late , also sustained some manufacturing activity. To minimize costs and weight relative to machined predecessors like the Dreyse Model 1918, the MG 13 employed stamped metal components in its receiver construction, facilitating faster and cheaper production.

Design

Operating mechanism

The MG 13 light machine gun employs a short-recoil operating system, in which the barrel and bolt recoil together for a short distance upon firing before unlocking, allowing reliable cycling in both semi-automatic and full-automatic modes. This mechanism was derived from the Dreyse Model 1918 heavy machine gun, with Rheinmetall engineers modifying the original design into an air-cooled configuration for light machine gun use, retaining the core recoil principles while adapting the receiver for portability. The locked breech uses a swinging lever located at the bottom rear of the barrel extension, which engages behind the bolt; during recoil, the lever's rear arm contacts a cam in the receiver, causing it to pivot and disengage the front arm from the barrel extension, unlocking the bolt for extraction and reloading. Firing occurs from a closed bolt position using an internal hammer, enhancing accuracy for semi-automatic fire while the hammer mechanism supports full-automatic operation without switching to an open-bolt configuration. The trigger is a rocking type, with the upper portion for single shots and the lower for automatic fire, enabling selective control. The gun is air-cooled through a perforated barrel jacket with ventilation holes to dissipate heat, aided by a fixed heavy barrel and an attached bipod for sustained ground use; however, the barrel is not designed for quick changes, requiring partial disassembly for replacement. Ammunition is fed via a left-side port using either 25-round curved box magazines, which can be topped up with 5-round stripper clips, or 75-round double-drum magazines for higher capacity needs, achieving a cyclic rate of 500-600 rounds per minute in caliber. This feeding system supports the gun's role as a , balancing portability with capability.

Specifications

The MG 13 light machine gun features the following key technical specifications for its standard configuration.
SpecificationDetails
Cartridge7.92×57mm Mauser
Effective range500 meters (point target), 2,000 meters (area target)
Weight10.9 kg (unloaded, with bipod)
Length1,340 mm
Barrel length718 mm
Muzzle velocity890 m/s
Rate of fire500–600 rounds per minute
Feed system75-round drum or 25-round box magazine
SightsAdjustable iron sights up to 2,000 meters

Operational history

Pre-World War II service

The MG 13 was standard issue to German squads from 1930 to 1935, where it provided as the primary automatic weapon in the reorganized squad structure. This integration supported the Reichswehr's evolving tactics during the early rearmament phase, emphasizing fire support at the small-unit level before the weapon's phase-out in 1935. During , training with the MG 13 focused on enhancing mobility and versatility, including its adaptation for anti- roles in rearmament parades and field maneuvers. Infantrymen practiced mounting the gun on tripods for elevated fire against low-flying , reflecting doctrinal shifts toward defense amid growing aerial threats. The MG 13 saw its first combat testing with German volunteers in the from 1936 to 1939, deployed by the to support Nationalist forces. Approximately 2,000 units were supplied to Nationalist forces and used by the in these operations, allowing evaluation of the weapon's performance in real battlefield conditions, including suppressive and defensive roles. Early operational experience revealed reliability challenges in dusty environments, prompting minor field modifications such as improved dust covers and cleaning protocols prior to the MG 13's full replacement by the MG 34. These adjustments addressed jamming risks from the air-cooled conversion of the original Dreyse design, ensuring interim viability during the transition.

combat

During the early stages of , the MG 13 equipped surplus units assigned to second-line troops and reserves during the in September 1939 and the subsequent in May–June 1940. These deployments filled gaps left by the limited availability of the newer , providing portable for squads in mobile warfare tactics. In the from 1941 to 1943, the MG 13 saw use with the Deutsches Afrikakorps, where it was frequently mounted on vehicles such as the Panzerkampfwagen I to compensate for shortages of the amid logistical challenges in the desert theater. This configuration supported reconnaissance and defensive operations against British and Commonwealth forces. On the Eastern Front from 1941 to 1945, the was employed in static defensive positions and anti-partisan sweeps, often by rear-area and improvised units facing resource constraints. Reports highlighted its tendency to overheat during extended bursts, restricting sustained fire and necessitating careful burst control in harsh winter conditions. Anti-aircraft adaptations were occasionally employed in low-threat sectors. By 1943, shortages of the MG 13 exacerbated supply issues and led German forces to increasingly rely on captured Soviet and other Allied light machine guns to bolster infantry firepower.

Post-war use

Following the end of World War II, the MG 13 experienced limited post-war service, primarily continuing in use with Portugal, where it had been adopted pre-war as the m/938 light machine gun. Portugal's forces employed the m/938 as a squad automatic weapon during the Portuguese Colonial War (1961–1974), particularly in counter-insurgency operations in Angola and Mozambique against nationalist insurgents. These weapons, chambered in 7.92×57mm Mauser and fed by 25-round box magazines or 75-round double drums, provided sustained fire support in colonial garrisons until the mid-1970s, even as regular Portuguese units transitioned to NATO-standard 7.62×51mm arms like the FN MAG around 1962. Portugal had originally imported around 2,800 MG 13s from starting in 1938, making it one of the largest non- operators; these stocks were distributed to colonial units, with allocations including 22 guns each to and , 138 to , and 32 to by 1958. Some m/938s were adapted with anti-aircraft sights for defensive roles. In addition to , converted variants of the MG 13 saw niche post-war employment, such as the shortened-barrel MG-13k used by Norwegian police forces. also retained limited numbers for and reserve roles into the 1950s. The majority of surviving German MG 13 stocks were scrapped or destroyed during post-war Allied occupation and disarmament programs in the late 1940s and 1950s, aimed at preventing rearmament. However, numerous examples have been preserved for historical purposes, appearing in public institutions like the in and the in , as well as in private collections worldwide. The MG 13's legacy lies in its role as a transitional design, adapting World War I-era water-cooled technology to an air-cooled, portable format with dual triggers for semi- and full-automatic fire, which informed the evolution of versatile general-purpose machine guns in subsequent German and international developments.

Variants and modifications

Standard model

The standard model of the MG 13 was designed primarily for squad support, featuring a detachable folding bipod for prone firing, a stock that could be folded forward for portability, and a to facilitate handling during sustained fire. This configuration allowed a single gunner to provide mobile , with the weapon operating on a short mechanism where the barrel and bolt recoiled together before unlocking. Standard accessories included a sling for transport, and provisions for spare 75-round double drum magazines, though the primary feed was via 25-round box magazines; the weapon relied on adjustable for aiming, with no integral optical devices provided. Key limitations of the standard model involved reliability challenges, such as intermittent feed malfunctions from the drum magazines during rapid or prolonged fire, exacerbated by the drums' weight and complexity. Maintenance for the version emphasized quick field stripping by opening the top cover to disengage the return spring and withdrawing the barrel, with routine procedures focusing on thorough cleaning of the barrel to mitigate carbon buildup from the air-cooled design.

Vehicle and aircraft adaptations

Due to wartime resource shortages, the MG 13 was adapted for non- roles, including anti-aircraft defense and vehicle mounting, often with modifications to suit fixed or mobile platforms. For anti-aircraft applications, the MG 13 was mounted on tripods like the early Lafette 34 for use in Flak units, providing low-altitude protection against enemy aircraft from 1939 to 1941. A specialized 75-round double was introduced specifically to support sustained anti-aircraft fire, enhancing its utility in defensive positions. In vehicle integrations, the MG 13 served as the primary armament on the light tank, with two guns installed coaxially in the rotating turret for against infantry and light targets during early campaigns.

Operators

German forces

The MG 13 served as the primary for infantry squads in Heer divisions from its adoption in 1932 until the mid-1930s, when it was gradually supplanted by the more versatile MG 34. Each standard infantry platoon typically included two MG 13s to provide mobile during assaults, aligning with early German that emphasized rapid maneuver and concentrated firepower at the squad level. By 1940, persistent shortages of newer machine guns led to its reissue to frontline Heer units during the invasion of , where its lightweight design and quick barrel change facilitated tactical flexibility in close-quarters engagements. Following the 1940 campaigns, the MG 13 was largely withdrawn from active combat divisions and reassigned to second-line formations, including fortress garrisons and training battalions, where it supported defensive positions and instruction in basic automatic weapons handling. This relegation reflected broader resource constraints in the Heer, as production prioritized the and later models. In these roles, the weapon provided reliable, low-maintenance support for static defenses and rear-area security, though its slower limited it to secondary suppression duties. By 1942, as formed from surplus personnel, older weapons like the MG 13 supplemented standard issue in these improvised units, emphasizing perimeter security over offensive operations. German evolved significantly with the MG 42's introduction in 1942, which boasted a cyclic rate exceeding 1,200 rounds per minute—significantly higher than the MG 13's approximately 500-600. This superiority shifted the MG 13 from a primary automatic to a supplementary role in Heer and units, reserved for training, reserves, or situations demanding portability over sustained output. In combat, such as defensive actions on the Eastern Front, surviving MG 13 teams provided opportunistic amid the transition to MG 42-equipped squads.

Foreign operators

The Portuguese Army acquired 2,800 MG 13 machine guns from in as the entered widespread service with the , redesignating them as the M/938 for use as squad automatic weapons. These remained the primary for Portuguese infantry through and into the (1961–1974), with significant deployments in overseas territories; by 1958, inventories included 22 units in , 22 in , 138 in , and 32 in . In , M/938 guns equipped special hunter companies with 12 per unit starting in 1961 for counter-insurgency operations in dense terrain, while survivors served local self-defense forces into the late before replacement by NATO-standard 7.62×51mm weapons. Approximately 2,000 MG 13s were exported to Francoist forces during the Spanish Civil War, where they were used by Nationalist infantry units. The Republic of China imported an unknown quantity of MG 13s from Germany in 1936 alongside Panzer I Ausf. A light tanks to equip elite German-trained divisions of the National Revolutionary Army. These saw limited combat use by Nationalist forces during the early stages of the Second Sino-Japanese War in 1937, particularly in defensive roles around Shanghai, before being supplemented by other imported and domestically produced light machine guns. Captured MG 13s entered service with Soviet forces on the Eastern Front, repurposed for use. Post-war, surviving Portuguese M/938 stocks underwent limited modernization for , as detailed in broader accounts of Portuguese overseas deployments.

References

  1. https://modernfirearms.net/en/machineguns/germany-machineguns/mg-13-eng/
  2. https://www.forgottenweapons.com/portugals-mg-13-the-m938-light-machine-gun/
  3. https://en.topwar.ru/15013-pulemet-mg13-dreyze.html
  4. https://ww2db.com/weapon.php?q=222
  5. https://www.alloutdoor.com/2024/06/28/potd-mg-13-germanys/
  6. https://www.warhistoryonline.com/guns/mg-13.html
  7. https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ref/MG/I/MG-5.html
  8. http://dunkirk1940.org/index.php?&p=1_44
  9. https://waffenlager.net/en/automatic/mg34.html
  10. https://www.commanderstech.net/weapons/index.php?WEP=376
  11. https://all-andorra.com/mg-13/
  12. http://meoramri.blogspot.com/2009/08/mg-13-dreyse-machine-gun-germany.html
  13. http://dunkirk1940.org/index.php?&p=1_147
  14. https://www.maryevans.com/contributors/sdz/infantrymen-fla-mg-machine-gun-1930s-48224295.html
  15. https://fireonthewaters.tripod.com/SCWSmallArms.pdf
  16. http://deutsches-afrikakorps.blogspot.com/2010/12/panzers-of-deutsche-afrika-korps.html
  17. https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/german-light-and-heavy-armored-cars-enabled-scouts-to-gather-vital-intelligence-for-panzer-units/
  18. https://en.topwar.ru/223624-sluzhba-i-boevoe-primenenie-trofejnyh-nemeckih-pulemetov-posle-okonchanija-vtoroj-mirovoj-vojny.html
  19. https://balagan.info/portuguese-equipment-in-the-colonial-war
  20. https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30034476
  21. https://www.ima-usa.com/products/german-mg-13-display-gun-super-select-collection
  22. https://www.gunequipmentstore.com/products/german-mg-34-early-anti-aircraft-mount-head-assembly-mg-13-compatible/
  23. https://www.forgottenweapons.com/light-machine-guns/mg13-light-machine-gun/
  24. https://tanks-encyclopedia.com/ww2/germany/panzer_i.php
  25. https://www.fireandfury.com/orbats/luftwaffe_field_division_1944.pdf
  26. https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/the-mg-42-light-machine-gun/
  27. https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=32&t=98650&start=15
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