MG30 Machine Gun

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	Weapon: MG30 Machine Gun Type: Light Machine Gun Country of Origin: Germany Year Adopted: 1930 Caliber: 7.92x57mm Action: Fully Automatic - Recoil Overall Length (mm): 1230.0 Weight (kg): 10.00 Effective Range (m): 1500

The MG30 machine gun, developed by Rheinmetall and Solothurn in the early 1930s, was an air-cooled, recoil-operated weapon designed to serve as a versatile light machine gun. Chambered for the 7.92x57mm Mauser cartridge, it was one of the first machine guns to incorporate features like a quick-change barrel and a high rate of fire, which made it effective for sustained engagements. The MG30 was fed by a 20-round box magazine inserted on the left side, and its design emphasized mobility and reliability, making it a valuable asset for infantry units.

The MG30 saw limited production due to political and economic constraints of the time, with an estimated 5,000 units manufactured. Though initially produced in Germany, much of its production was outsourced to Solothurn in Switzerland to circumvent restrictions imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. The MG30 was adopted by Austria and Hungary, where it served as the basis for further developments, including the Solothurn 31.M used by the Hungarian military. It also served as a precursor to the highly successful MG34, with many of its design elements influencing the latter's development.

The MG30 is notable for its role as a transitional weapon that bridged the gap between early machine guns and modern general-purpose designs. Although its service history was relatively brief and geographically limited, its innovative features earned it recognition as a forward-thinking weapon for its era. Today, the MG30 is appreciated by collectors and historians as an important milestone in machine gun development and as a key contributor to the evolution of the iconic German MG34 and MG42 series.

Hungarian Army Steyr-Solothurn MG 30 machine gun, trying to shoot a pre-war model