User:EDFan12345/Sandbox/Service Rifles of the Ed Island Military

Ever since the unification of Ed Island in 1821, the Ed Island Military has tried to standardize its main Service Rifle across the entire infantry. Until 1870, soldiers were allowed to purchase and use their own firearms, provided they paid for it themselves, leading to photographs showing a large range of military arms from standard Ed Islandian rifles to outlandish foreign designs. Additionally, Ed Island would often purchase surplus rifles from foreign nations that had been recently removed from service, such as the Broughton Repeating Rifle or Karabiner-S.

Terms and Prefixes

• Gewehr - German for 'rifle'
• Karabiner - German for 'carbine'
• Maschinenkarabiner - German for 'machine carbine', used for the predecessors of the Sturmgewehr.
• Sturmgewehr - German for 'storm rifle' or 'assault rifle', often shortened to StG or StGw. Coined by Ed Island in the 1930s, later became standard for the type of firearm.
• A1, A2, etc. - Standing for 'Amendment' indicating improvements upon a pre-existing weapon. For example, the K89A1 added a detachable box magazine to the standard K89k.
• Kurz - German for 'short'
• Stripper Clip - A small piece of metal typically holding five cartridges, used for quickly loading a weapon with an internal box magazine.
• Minié ball - A conical bullet used in later rifled muskets in order to improve accuracy

Standard Calibers

• .69 caliber - Standard ball ammunition used in flintlock muzzle loaders
• .58 caliber - Standard Minié ball used in percussion cap muzzle loaders
• .45-70 - Used in the G72 and some G80 models, later phased out when smokeless powder became available and small-bore projectiles were favored.
• 7.92x57mm - Often shortened to 8mm Ed, it was the standard rifle cartridge starting with the G80 to the K89k, and is still being used in specialized roles.
• 7x57mm - Shortened to 7mm Ed, it was commissioned by the Ed Island Navy who requested a small-bore cartridge for their rifles. It was phased out of military service after the adoption of the StG-28.
• 7.92x33mm - Shortened to 8mm Kurz, this cartridge was first used by the MkB-38 and all subsequent assault rifles.

Standard Rifles

Gewehr 21 (1821-1840)

• Caliber: .69 ball

Gewehr 40 (1840-1854)

• Caliber: .69 ball

Gewehr 54 (1854-1860)

• Caliber: .58 Minié

Gewehr 60 (1860-1872)

• Caliber: .58 Minié

Gewehr 72 (1872-1880)

• Caliber: .45-70

A bolt-action rifle chambered in .45-70, the M1878 possessed a five-round internal magazine in the stock. It was notably used during the Comona Campaign where it provided a massive advantage over the Frankterran single-shot rifles. The Gewehr 72 continued to be issued even in the early stages of the Khanzem War, where it was used as a training rifle.

Gewehr 80 (1880-1889)

• Caliber: 7.92x57mm (Patrone 8mm)

Being the first Ed Islandian rifle chambered in 7.92x57mm, the Gewehr 80 is commonly said to be the first "modern rifle" adopted by Ed Island. The G80 features a five-round magazine loaded one round at a time, which was later improved by adding a stripper clip guide above the loading gate. The G80 fires a low-pressure load of 7.92x57mm designated Patrone 8mm, and is not compatible with later, 'hotter' loads.

Gewehr 85 (1885-1906)

• Caliber: 7x57mm

Utilized by the Ed Island Navy, the Gewehr 85 is a box magazine-fed rifle chambered in 7x57mm. It is unique in having a detachable magazine, and sailors armed with the rifle carried multiple magazines similar to modern day soldiers. It was phased out in 1906 in favor of the superior Gewehr 89.

Gewehr 89 (1889-1946)

• Caliber: Patrone 8mm (Early), 7.92x57mm, 7x57mm

The Gewehr 89 is a bolt-action rifle firing from a five-round internal magazine. It was the EIA service rifle from 1989 until 1920, when it was replaced by the K89k. The G89 was a revolutionary step in bolt-action development, and today is still seen as one of — if not the — greatest bolt-action rifles ever created. The Gewehr 89 action, using stripper clip loading with the powerful 7.92×57mm cartridge, introduced many features used in nearly all later bolt-action rifles. The G89 loads from a five-round internal magazine, which could be replaced by a twenty-round "trench magazine" for extended engagements. Variants of the rifle used by the Ed Island Navy were chambered in 7x57mm, but were otherwise unchanged from army rifles.

Gewehr 89 production can be categorized in two main groups, "Early" and "Late" production rifles. "Early" G89 rifles produced from 1889 to 1897 can be distinguished externally by their straight rifle-grip stock, and fire the round-nose Patrone 8mm cartridge.. Likewise, the "Late" model G89s possess semi-rifle grip stocks and fire the newer pointed-tip "Spitzer" cartridge. The cartridges are not interchangeable between the two, with the Spitzer cartridges having a slightly longer bullet than the round-nose cartridges in order to prevent chambering in earlier rifles.

Small numbers of the Gewehr 89 continued to be produced throughout the Wulfen War, despite being succeeded by the K89k. These rifles possessed newer features such as a bent bolt handle and hooded front sight, and were utilized in sniper roles.

Karabiner 89a (1914-1923)

• Caliber: 7.92x57mm

Introduced during the Khanzem War, the K89a is a shortened variant of the G89 utilized by trench raiders and support units. It retains the bayonet lug of the G89, though much closer to the muzzle of the rifle, leading numerous bayonets to be scorched after the rifle is fired. K89a rifles also possessed bent bolt handles and a recess in the stock, which later became standard on the K89k.

While phased out of service in 1923 after the introduction of the K89k, many K89a rifles saw use throughout the Wulfen War.

Karabiner 89 Kurz (1923- )

• Caliber: 7.92x57mm

A shortened version of the Gewehr 89, with numerous improvements first introduced with the K89a. Since it is shorter than the K89a, it was given the designation K89 Kurz, meaning "short." Other than their shortened barrels, they were generally unchanged from the K89a. Later post-war variants of the K89k designated K89A1 possessed detachable box magazines (shared with the Gewehr 26) that could hold ten rounds, as well as threaded barrels for muzzle breaks or rifle grenade cups, but were typically covered with a muzzle nut similar to that of the MkB-38.

Tooling for the K89k was sold to Snowiny in 1924, where it was locally produced as the M24 and M48 rifles.

Gewehr 40 Kurz

• Caliber: 7.92x57mm

An experimental shortened variant of the K89k with a 20 inch barrel designed to operate alongside the newly-introduced MkB-38. The rifle eliminated the bayonet lug of the standard K89k, but was otherwise identical to a shortened carbine.

Gewehr 43 Lightweight Military Rifle

• Caliber: 7.92x57mm, .30-06

Based on the design of the G40k, the G43 was specifically designed for export as a lightweight service rifle. It was offered in a number of calibers, and possessed a bayonet lug and a rubber buttpad on the stock.

Gewehr 99 (1899-1926)

• Caliber: 7.92x57mm

The Gewehr 99 is a semi-automatic recoil-operated rifle first adopted in small numbers in 1899. The G99 utilizes a toggle-lock action similar to that of the P09 handgun, and fires from a five-round internal box magazine or twenty-round trench magazine.

While approximately 140 rifles were bought by the EIA in 1899 for their balloon corps, the Gewehr 99 wasn't fully introduced until the ending years of the Khanzem War, where it supplemented existing bolt-action rifles. While its semi-automatic capabilities gave the G99 an advantage over contemporary bolt-action rifles, cost and reliability issues plagued the rifle throughout the Khanzem War, and it was soon fully replaced by the Gewehr 26 prior to the Wulfen War.

Later variants of the G99 received mounts for telescopic sights and redesigned cocking knobs after suggestions from Ed Islandian soldiers. Optics on the G99 had to be mounted offset of the receiver, due to the toggle-lock mechanism moving upwards.

Gewehr 26 (1926-1946)

• Caliber: 7.92x57mm

MkB-38 (1938-1950)

• Caliber: 7.92x33mm

While most Antarctic powers of the 1930s and 1940s were experimenting with semi-automatic or select-fire rifles firing intermediate cartridges, Ed Island was the first to issue one such weapon throughout the military. Introduced immediately following the resumed hostilities of the Wulfen War, the MkB-38 was a revolutionary firearm notable for being the first true assault rifle introduced in Antarctica (though the Wulfen's own similar MP-38 was introduced at nearly the same time, and fired the same cartridge). The MkB-38 received the designation StG-38 in 1940 for propaganda purposes, which is said to be the origin of the term "assault rifle."

The MkB-38 is a gas-operated assault rifle chambered for the intermediate 8mm Kurz cartridge. It utilizes a short-stroke gas piston system, and fires from a 30-round magazine. Despite only being used as the standard rifle of the EIA for less than ten years, the MkB-28 was revolutionary for creating the concept of the assault rifle; a select-fire rifle firing an intermediate cartridge from a detachable magazine.

Variants of the MkB-38 later received heavy barrels and bipods and were designated MStG-38. These rifles were used in a light machine gun role, supplementing the StG-45 despite being outdated as an assault rifle.

StG-45 (1945-1976)

• Caliber: 7.92x33mm

StG-45M (1953-1976)

• Caliber: 7.92x33mm

Gewehr 46 (1946- )

• Caliber: 7.92x57mm

Karabiner 46 (1953- )

• Calber: 7.92x57mm

StG-76 (1976-2003)

• Caliber: 7.92x33mm

The StG-76 refined the features of the StG-45M with even more parts made of stamped steel, but keeps a similar external appearance.

AER Series (1982-2017)

• Power source: Microfusion Cell

The AER series of handheld laser weaponry is a series of solid-state energy weapons beginning in 1982 with the AER1 and culminating in the modern AER9. Intended as a technology testbed rather than a service rifle, the AER9 model features a titanium housed crystal array which proved to withstand battlefield exposure much better than the gold alloy housing of the prior models. As a result, the crystal arrays stay focused within operating parameters, rather than falling completely out of focus like the previous models. Power is drawn from microfusion cells inserted on the side of the rifle and processed through a wave/particle diverter. The diverters are protected by a carbon-fiber housing, preventing frequent malfunction, but when a diverter fails the weapon becomes unusable and potentially dangerous. As with all energy weapons, the AER suffers from poor performance if not properly maintained. The crystal arrays and non-mechanical components are delicate and if not properly serviced can lead to a loss of beam intensity, overheating, and energy regulation failure.

The AER9 saw light use throughout the Ed-Snowinn War and Frosian War, demonstrating the use of directed energy weaponry on the battlefield. It is being replaced by the KBG-17, which utilizes a more compact variant of the same particle diverter system.

StG-3 (2003- )

• Caliber: 7.92x33mm

The standard-issue service rifle for the Ed Island Military, the StG-3 is a select-fire assault rifle using much of the same operating system as the StG-45M and StG-76. The stock has been redesigned and is no longer necessary for the rifle to function, as the recoil buffer spring has been shortened allowing for folding stocks to be developed.

StG-3 Caliber Variants

While not typically utilized by the Ed Islandian military, the StG-3 is offered in a variety of calibers from the common to the obscure and novelty. As the StG-3 is sold to a variety of customers and nations, it is oftentimes specially chambered for the client's needs. Offered calibers include:

• .22 Long Rifle (EIA training weapon)
• 5.56 SATO
• 7.62 SATO
• 7.62x39mm
• 5.45x39mm
• 7.92x57mm
• .30 Carbine

StG-16 (2016- )

• Caliber: 7.92x33mm

With adoption beginning in early 2016, the StG-16 is the Ed Islandian military's latest service rifle. While using the same basic operating system as its predecessors, the StG-16 deletes the gas expansion tube above the barrel, which was deemed to be useless after redesigns to the bolt carrier, and replaced it with a threaded stacking swivel that can be removed to access the gas tube. The bolt itself had been redesigned to be less susceptible to dirt and other foreign objects getting into the receiver, and a non-reciprocating charging handle being placed towards the front of the handguard. Additionally, the sight has been replaced with a four-position aperture sight and was moved to the back of the receiver.

KBG-17 (2017- )

• Power source: Microfusion Cell

The Kugeblitzgewehr-17 is a direct-energy weapon intended to be a service variant of the AER9 laser rifle. Visually similar to the StG-3 rifle, the rifle features advanced electronic sights and a detachable microfusion cell 'magazine' to recharge the weapon. While not as modular as the AER9, it is vastly more powerful and compact, leading to a handier energy weapon.

Non-Standard Rifles

Non-standard rifles issued in significant numbers to troops. Most were not given designations under the standard naming system.

Broughton Repeating Rifle (1864-1875)

• Caliber: .44 Broughton, .44-40

Rolling Block Rifle (1867-1895)

• Caliber: .45-70

Gewehr 73

• Caliber: .45-70

While the Gewehr 72 was issued to completely replace the single-shot muzzle-loading Gewehr 60, the army still had large reserves of the outdated rifles in storage. Many of these rifles were converted to single-shot cartridge rifles nicknamed "Trapdoor Rifles." Although never becoming standard-issue, many of these rifles saw use during the Comona Campaign as early marksman rifles due to their exceptional accuracy.

Gewehr 14 (1914-1942)

• Caliber: 7.92x57mm

As the Khanzem War began to rage across Antarctica, Khanzem had an urgent need for rifles, and contracts for the new Gewehr 14 were placed with several arms companies in allied Ed Island. Chambered in the 7.92x57 cartridge, the Gewehr 14 utilized a modified Gewehr 89 bolt and other slight changes to the G89 system making it relatively easy to convert existing machinery to. After Khanzem's defeat, it was ruled too expensive to simply discard or repurpose the tooling, and the Gewehr 14 was issued to troops in need of rifles as well as being issued as a front-line weapon throughout the Wulfen War along with numerous other foreign designs.

Gewehr 91/98/25 (1935-1942)

• Caliber: 7.62x54mmR

Purchased during the Wulfen War from surplus stocks of Poleland armories, the Gewehr 91/98/25 is a standard Renov 91/98 rifle modified with a G89-style bayonet lug and muzzle cap. Many rifles were later cut down into carbines, but retained the "Gewehr" name. Almost all surviving Gewehr 91/98/25s were sold as surplus after the Wulfen War.

91/98/25 indicates Rifle Model 91, with refurbishments in 1898 and 1925.

MP-38 (1938-1950)

• Caliber: 7.92x33mm

The MP-28 was the Wulfen equivalent of the MkB-38. After the end of the Wulfen War, many MP-38s were issued to soldiers in need of a new assault rifle. As the Wulfen continued development of pre-war weaponry and used the same cartridge and magazines as the Ed Islandian equivalent, it was relatively simple to distribute the rifle with preexisting equipment.

The use of the submachine gun designation of the MP-38 compared to the carbine designation of the MkB-38 shows the difference in tactics involving the rifles; the Wulfen primarily used the weapon as a short-range replacement for their submachine guns while retaining their long rifles, whereas the Ed Islandians used it as a medium-range alternative to their long rifles and retained their submachine guns. Ultimately the Ed Islandian tactics proved superior in open engagements, whereas Wulfen tactics were more suited to urban combat. Postwar Ed Islandian tactics utilized a hybrid of the two, showing the versatility of the assault rifle platform.

Karabiner-S (1989- )

• Caliber: 7.62x39mm

Purchased en masse from Snowviet stocks in 1989, the Karabiner-S is a gas-operated semi-automatic rifle developed in 1945 to replace the bolt-action rifles in Snowviet service. In the ending years of the Snowviet Union, the Ed Islandian government purchased hundreds of thousands of Karabiner-S rifles and other surplus weaponry offered by the Snowviet government, as the nation was in dire financial straits. While a vast majority of the rifles were sold off on the civilian market, several thousand were kept in Ed Island Army inventory and later given to Glaw in 2017 after the country was annexed by Ed Island.

See Also

• Ed Island Army