VG1, VG2, and VG5

[ISC]

I keep wanting to try to reproduce some of the last ditch weapons. My thought is that if they could be produced with limited industrial capacity, I could build a gun the same way. A SMG like the STEN would be the easiest, especially with all the kits around. It would also be a ticket to prison.

A bolt action would be much easier I think. If someone with just a little skill had good photos and drawings, I bet it wouldn't be too hard to produce a close facsimile to the VG1, VG2, or VG5. The goal wouldn't be to produce a counterfeit, of course.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkssturmgewehr

The Walther VG1 was one of several last ditch German weapons designed to arm Home Guard “Volkssturm” units against American and Russian forces. The Volkssturm weapons are most notable to their crude manufacture, intended to be as cheap and easy to make as possible, in small shops throughout Germany.
The VG1 is a basic rotating bolt action rifle in design, with two locking lugs in front and the bolt handle functioning as a third lug. They were made by a wide range of companies, and known examples show many variations in all sorts of details.
The receivers were milled from blocks of bar stock, and barrels were pressed and pinned in place. A wide variety of barrels were used – basically whatever was available to the shop making the rifle. The rear sight was a very basic notch on a ring that was placed between the barrel shoulder and receiver when the barrel was installed. Front sights were generally welded in place. To avoid the negative affects of welding heat on the muzzle, the front of the barrels were typically counterbored out to 10mm diameter.
The trigger mechanism and guard are made entirely of stamped components, held together by pins. The safety was a simple rotating sheet metal piece that blocked travel of the trigger. The magazine was a standard K43 component. Stocks were made from all qualities of wood, and only crudely finished.
The interesting aspect of the VG1 is not any novel mechanism or design element, but rather the simplicity possible in the manufacture of rifles that were in fact serviceable. They may have been very crude guns, but they were proofed when made, and were surprisingly functional, for their appearance. It was estimated after the war that in mass production, a VG1 would have cost no more than $5 per unit to make.

[Herr Walther]

Re: VG1, VG2, and VG5

Interesting. I will have to see if these are mentioned in any of my Walther reference material.

[Southern Shark]

Re: VG1, VG2, and VG5

Could it be reproduced?

Probably.....


Would anyone want to buy it?

Probably not...

Reproductions are not really collectible and the shooting value of these would be negligible.