German Gun Names: A Comprehensive List and Their Meanings

This comprehensive list explores the fascinating world of German gun names. From the iconic Luger to the powerful Mauser, German firearms have a rich history and unique nomenclature. We delve into the etymology of these names, uncovering their meanings and origins. Discover the stories behind each gun name, revealing the cultural and historical context behind their creation.
1. **Luger:** Named after its designer, Georg Luger, this pistol is known for its distinctive toggle-action mechanism.
2. **Mauser:** Named after its creator, Paul Mauser, this rifle is renowned for its bolt-action design and robust construction.
3. **Glock:** Named after its Austrian inventor, Gaston Glock, this polymer-framed pistol is widely used by law enforcement agencies worldwide.
4. **StG 44:** Stands for "Sturmgewehr 44," meaning "assault rifle 44," denoting its year of introduction.
5. **MP40:** Stands for "Maschinenpistole 40," meaning "machine pistol 40," indicating its year of introduction.
6. **MG 34:** Stands for "Maschinengewehr 34," meaning "machine gun 34," denoting its year of introduction.
7. **MG 42:** Stands for "Maschinengewehr 42," meaning "machine gun 42," indicating its year of introduction.
8. **Kar 98k:** Stands for "Karabiner 98 Kurz," meaning "carbine 98 short," denoting its shorter barrel length compared to its predecessor.
9. **Gew 98:** Stands for "Gewehr 98," meaning "rifle 98," indicating its year of introduction.
10. **K98k:** A shortened version of "Karabiner 98 Kurz," meaning "carbine 98 short."
11. **FG 42:** Stands for "Fallschirmjägergewehr 42," meaning "paratrooper rifle 42," designed specifically for airborne troops.
12. **Panzerschreck:** Meaning "tank terror," this rocket launcher was designed to combat armored vehicles.
13. **Panzerfaust:** Meaning "tank fist," this disposable anti-tank weapon was highly effective against armored targets.
14. **Faustpatrone:** Meaning "fist cartridge," this type of weapon is similar to a bazooka or rocket launcher.
15. **GPMG:** Stands for "General Purpose Machine Gun," a term often applied to the MG 34 and MG 42.
16. **Heckler & Koch:** A German firearms manufacturer known for their innovative designs, including the G36 assault rifle and the MP5 submachine gun.
17. **Walther:** A German firearms manufacturer known for its pistols, such as the PPK and the P38.
18. **Mauser C96:** A semi-automatic pistol known for its distinctive design and powerful cartridge.
19. **Parabellum:** A German firearms company that produced the Luger pistol.
20. **Colt 1911:** A semi-automatic pistol designed by John Browning and produced by Colt's Manufacturing Company. It was widely used by the German military during World War I.
21. **Webley-Fosbery Automatic:** A self-loading revolver designed by George Webley and William Fosbery, used by the German Navy.
22. **Bergmann:** A German firearms manufacturer known for its pistols and machine guns.
23. **Borchardt:** A German firearms designer known for his self-loading pistol.
24. **DWM:** Stands for "Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken," meaning "German Arms and Ammunition Factories," a company that produced the Luger pistol.
25. **SIG:** Stands for "Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft," meaning "Swiss Industrial Society," a Swiss firearms manufacturer whose pistols were used by the German military.
26. **Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR):** A light machine gun designed by John Browning, used by the German military during World War II.
27. **Lewis Gun:** A light machine gun designed by Isaac Lewis, used by the German military during World War I.
28. **Vickers machine gun:** A heavy machine gun designed by Hiram Maxim, used by the German military during World War I.
29. **Maxim gun:** A machine gun designed by Hiram Maxim, used by the German military during World War I.
30. **Hotchkiss machine gun:** A light machine gun designed by Benjamin Hotchkiss, used by the German military during World War I.
31. **Mauser Model 1871/84:** A bolt-action rifle that was the standard infantry weapon for the German Empire.
32. **Mauser Model 1888:** A bolt-action rifle that was the standard infantry weapon for the German Empire.
33. **Mauser Model 1898:** A bolt-action rifle that was the standard infantry weapon for the German Empire.
34. **Gewehr 88:** A bolt-action rifle that was the standard infantry weapon for the German Empire.
35. **Gewehr 98:** A bolt-action rifle that was the standard infantry weapon for the German Empire.
36. **Karabiner 98k:** A shortened version of the Gewehr 98, used by the German military during World War II.
37. **G43:** A semi-automatic rifle used by the German military during World War II.
38. **StG 44:** A select-fire assault rifle used by the German military during World War II.
39. **FG 42:** A selective-fire assault rifle designed for airborne troops.
40. **Volkssturmgewehr:** A simplified assault rifle designed for the Volkssturm, a civilian militia formed in the final stages of World War II.
41. **MP 18:** A submachine gun used by the German military during World War I.
42. **MP 28:** A submachine gun used by the German military during World War I.
43. **MP 38:** A submachine gun used by the German military during World War II.
44. **MP 40:** A submachine gun used by the German military during World War II.
45. **Uzi:** A submachine gun designed by Uziel Gal, used by the German military during World War II.
46. **Sten gun:** A submachine gun designed by Reginald Shepherd and Harold Turpin, used by the German military during World War II.
47. **Thompson submachine gun:** A submachine gun designed by John Thompson, used by the German military during World War II.
48. **M1 Garand:** A semi-automatic rifle designed by John Garand, used by the German military during World War II.
49. **M1 Carbine:** A semi-automatic carbine designed by David Marshall Williams, used by the German military during World War II.
50. **Lee-Enfield:** A bolt-action rifle designed by James Paris Lee and James Lee Enfield, used by the German military during World War I.