Brontekst bekijken van MG 39 Rh

{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Maschinengewehr MG39 Rh
| image              =
| caption            =
| origin             = Nazi Germany
| type               = General-purpose machine gun
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_ranged          = YES
<!-- Service history -->
| service            =
| used_by            =
| wars               = World War II
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           = Louis Stange
| design_date        = 1937
| manufacturer       = Rheinmetall
| unit_cost          =
| production_date    =
| number             =
| variants           =
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         =
| weight             = {{cvt|9.58|kg}}
| length             = {{cvt|1185|mm|in}}
| part_length        = {{cvt|599|mm|in}} ({{cvt|660|mm|in}} with flash hider)
<!-- Ranged weapon specifications -->
| cartridge          = [[7.92×57mm Mauser]]
| cartridge_weight   =
| caliber            = {{cvt|7.92|mm|in}}
| barrels            = 1
| action             = [[Gas-operated reloading|Gas operated]]
| rate               =
| velocity           =
| range              = 100-1600 m in 100 m increments
| max_range          =
| feed               = Belt
| sights             = [[Iron sights]]
}}

The '''MG39 Rh''' was a [[general-purpose machine gun]] of German origin.<ref name="Dead End: MG 39 Rh">{{cite web|archivedate=15 June 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615093647/http://www.forgottenweapons.com/dead-end-mg-39-rh/|url=http://www.forgottenweapons.com/dead-end-mg-39-rh/|title=Dead End: MG 39 Rh |publisher=Forgottenweapons.com |date= |accessdate=2013-06-19}}</ref>

It originated from a draft specification and contest held for an [[MG 34|MG 34 ''Einheitsmaschinengewehr'']] replacement that was better suited for [[mass production]]. Three companies were asked in February 1937 to submit new designs: Metall und Lackierwarenfabrik Johannes Großfuß AG of [[Döbeln]], [[Rheinmetall|Rheinmetall-Borsig AG]] of [[Sömmerda]], and Stübgen AG of [[Erfurt]].<ref name="Willbanks">Willbanks, James: ''Machine Guns: An Illustrated History of Their Impact'', page 115. ABC-CLIO, 2004.</ref> The designs and mock-up guns proposals were submitted in October 1937.<ref name="Dead End: MG 39 Rh"/> Großfuß AG's entry proved to be the best design to simplify and rationalize the technical concept of the MG 34, employing a unique [[Recoil operation|recoil-operated]] [[Roller locked|roller locking]] mechanism whereas the two competing entries used a [[Gas-operated reloading|gas-actuated]] system.<ref name="Willbanks"/>

Rheinmetall-Borsig further developed their entry  under the direction of Louis Stange to the MG 39 Rh, but no records of a further development request by the German military to do this are known.
The MG 39 Rh did not progress beyond the prototype stage. The only surviving example is at the Military Historical Institute of Prague in Czech Republic.

==See also==
*[[List of World War II firearms of Germany]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{cite patent |country=DE |number=712136 |status=patent}}
* {{cite patent |country=DE |number=724418 |status=patent}}

{{WWIIGermanInfWeapons}}
{{General Purpose Machine Guns}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}

[[Category:7.92×57mm Mauser machine guns]]
[[Category:General-purpose machine guns]]
[[Category:Machine guns of Germany]]
[[Category:World War II infantry weapons of Germany]]
[[Category:Trial and research firearms of Germany]]
[[Category:Rheinmetall]]


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