MG 15 machine gun file photo [27141]

MG 15 Machine Gun

Country of OriginGermany
TypeMachine Gun
Caliber7.900 mm
Capacity75 rounds
Length1.078 m
Barrel Length690.000 mm
Weight12.400 kg
Rate of Fire1000 rounds/min
Muzzle Velocity755 m/s

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe MG 15 machine guns were developed from the German firm Rheinmetall's MG 30 design. A WW1-era machine gun design by Bergmann also had the designation of MG 15nA and that earlier weapon was often called MG 15 for short; these two designs were unrelated. The Rheinmetall MG 15 machine guns were very commonly used on German military aircraft at the start of WW2. They were typically mounted on flexible mounts as defensive armament, and were fed from double drums each holding 75 rounds of 7.92x57mm Mauser ammunition. In late 1940, the MG 15 machine guns began to be replaced by other machine guns or autocannons, and some of the MG 15 machine guns were reassigned to infantry units. Ground-conversion MG 15 machine guns were usually equipped with bipods. According to official records, by 1 Jan 1944, 17,648 MG 15 machine guns were converted for ground use; more units might had been converted by the end of the war.

The MG 15 design was sold to Japan, where weapons were license built under the designation Type 98 in the Japanese Army and Type 1 in the Japanese Navy.

Source: Wikipedia ww2dbase

Last Major Revision: Oct 2017

Photographs

MG 15 machine gun aboard a He 111 bomber, circa 1940sGerman DFS 230 glider with a MG 15 machine gun mounted on top of the aircraft and another stowed next to the cockpit, Italy, 1943; note Hs 126 aircraft in background




Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds


Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Search WW2DB
MG 15 Machine Gun Photo Gallery
MG 15 machine gun aboard a He 111 bomber, circa 1940s
See all 2 photographs of MG 15 Machine Gun


Famous WW2 Quote
"I have returned. By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil."

General Douglas MacArthur at Leyte, 17 Oct 1944


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!