Brontekst bekijken van Krummlauf

{{short description|Gun barrel attachment used for shooting around corners}}
{{Italic title}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2021}}
[[File:G3 and StG44.jpg|right|thumb|A Sturmgewehr 44 with 90 degree ''Krummlauf'']]
[[File:Krummlauf.jpg|right|thumb|The ''Krummlauf'' on display at the [[Bundeswehr Museum of German Defense Technology]] in [[Koblenz]], Germany.]]
The '''''Krummlauf'''''  (English: "curved barrel") is a bent [[Gun barrel|barrel]] attachment for the [[StG 44|Sturmgewehr 44]] (StG 44) [[rifle]] developed by Germany in World War II. The curved barrel included a [[periscope]] sighting device for shooting around corners from a safe position.

==Description==
It was produced in several variants: an "I" version for [[infantry]] use, a "P" version for use in [[Tank|tanks]] (to cover the dead areas in the close range around the tank and defend against assaulting infantry), versions with 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° bends, a version for the StG 44 and one for the [[MG 42]]. Only the 30° "I" version for the StG 44 was produced in many numbers.

The bent barrel attachments had very short lifespans—approximately 300 rounds for the 30° version, and 160 rounds for the 45° variant—as the barrel and bullets fired were put under great stress. Another problem besides the short life-span was that the bending caused the bullets to shatter and exit the barrel in multiple fragments, producing an unintended [[Shotgun shell|shotgun]] effect. As a result, weapons designers experimented with small vent holes drilled into the ''Krummlauf{{'}}''s barrel in order to reduce pressure and recoil, allowing the discharged bullets' built-up gases to be released to slow the bullet's velocity as it turned to exit the barrel. Nevertheless, the ''Krummlauf{{'}}''s lifespan remained the same.  A triangular shield was also added to prevent venting gasses from clouding the mirror and optics.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McCollum |first1=Ian |title=Krummlauf Curved Barrel on an StG-44 |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HSsFiS2Voxg&feature=youtu.be  |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/HSsFiS2Voxg |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|website=Forgotten Weapons |publisher=YouTube |accessdate=30 October 2018 |date=4 September 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The 30° model was able to achieve a 35x35 cm grouping at 100m.

The ''Krummlauf'' in a Maschinenpistole Vorsatz (P) mount was developed as an alternative close defence weapon for [[Tank destroyer|tank destroyers]]. This mount was fitted to a roof hatch in many [[Panzer IV]]/70 (A) vehicles. The tank crew could then attach a StG 44 and use this as a close defence machine gun.

==Derivatives==
Experiments to adapt the ''Krummlauf'' to the [[PPSh-41]] were conducted by the [[Soviet Union]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berg |first=Bill |date=January 8, 2008 |title=Unusual PPSh-41s |url=http://www.ppsh41.com/serge3.htm |access-date=2022-10-11 |website=Bill's PPSh-41 Pages}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[FÉLIN#Weapons|Félin FAMAS]]
* [[CornerShot]]
* [[Periscope rifle]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* http://www.lexikon-der-wehrmacht.de/Waffen/Bilderseitenneu/Krummlauf.htm {{in lang|de}}

[[Category:Research and development in Nazi Germany]]
[[Category:World War II infantry weapons of Germany]]