Forgotten Weapons: Schultz & Larsen RPLT-42

by Nathan S

Published: February 22nd, 2017

forgotten weapons schultz larsen rplt 42

Almost all of our modern weapons can trace some part of their lineage to World War II. The STG 44 was (and still is) a major influence on modern weapons design. However, there are many weapons from the war that do not share the same influence. One may certainly claim that they have been forgotten.

Fortunately, history buffs, weapons design junkies, and gun guys have Ian over at Forgotten Weapons, who works hard to ensure that the weapons are never actually forgotten to time. He has diligently worked to find obscure firearms and create vingettes on their history, design, and usage.

The latest to the fore is a weapon made by the Danes in World War II for their internal occupation forces. Not wanting to divert mainline weapons from the front, the Danes looked to sporting rifle manufacturer Shultz & Larsen to create a rifle to support the newly formed small Coast Guard Police.

The rifle is an interesting design for the time, with four lugs at the rear of the bolt, though in front of the handle. The receiver is externally case hardened and it features a Mauser style safety. A large extractor is supported by a fixed ejector and the magazine is user serviceable and can be opened and loaded from the bottom.

For additional details, enjoy the video from Forgotten Weapons below:

#WwII #Denmark #Ria #ForgottenWeapons #Shultz&Larsen

Nathan S

One of TFB's resident Jarheads, Nathan now works within the firearms industry. A consecutive Marine rifle and pistol expert, he enjoys local 3-gun, NFA, gunsmithing, MSR's, & high-speed gear. Nathan has traveled to over 30 countries working with US DoD & foreign MoDs.The above post is my opinion and does not reflect the views of any company or organization.

More by Nathan S

Comments

Join the conversation

8 comments

Don Ward on Feb 22, 2017

*Eye twitch*
And just how and which weapons is the Stg44 influencing?

Like Reply
- See 6 previous
- Twilight sparkle on Feb 22, 2017
  
  @Don Ward It's influencing basically everything about the hmg sturmgewehr
  But I'm sure Ian was referring to the general layout of the mp43 and how a lot of modern assault rifles have many of the same basic features. You could argue that it started the standardization of 30 round magazines and left side charging handles
  
  Like
- Nate on Feb 22, 2017
  
  @Twilight sparkle it started the whole assault weapons phase, so it influenced all modern assault rifles used by armed forces, especially Russia's ak series
  
  Like
- Twilight sparkle on Feb 22, 2017
  
  @nate Yeah no... the sturmgewhere and the kaleshnikov pattern rifle may look aesthetically similar (which I addressed about modern assault rifles having a similar general layout to the mp43) but the mp43 and the ak share basically nothing in common. The aks rotating bolt is quite dissimilar to the mp43 tilting bolt, the aks fire control group makes the stg fire control group look like the design of a clock maker, the hinged receiver of the sturmgewehr is more similar to the stoner design than that of kalashnikov. The ak pattern mechanically has more in common than the m1 garand than it does the mp43. The only thing they share is aesthetics
  
  Like
- Iksnilol on Feb 22, 2017
  
  @Twilight sparkle OHMIGAWD, THE M16 IS A RIPOFF OF THE MP43!
  
  Like
- Tinkerer on Feb 22, 2017
  
  @iksnilol And the Saturn rocket was a rip-off of the V-2!!!
  We are drowning in a sea of Reichstechnik!!
  
  Like
- Southpaw89 on Feb 22, 2017
  
  @Twilight sparkle I think you're getting too caught up in the details. While in function they are very different, in practice they are very similar, the idea of a moderate cartridge in a smaller lighter weight rifle with a high capacity magazine. That is where most of credit is being given to the Stg 44.
  
  Like
- Twilight sparkle on Feb 23, 2017
  
  @Southpaw89 If that was what they meant then they wouldn't have singled out the kalashnikov to begin with, they would have just given credit to the stg for starting "the whole assault weapons phase." The stg 44 certainly inspired many assault rifles that came after it but it only happens to share a similar look to the ak47 that a lot of people mistake as especial inspiration because of the use of a sheet metal receiver and vertical reinforcement ridges in the magazine (which the ak didn't originally have)
  
  Like

News

Articles/Features

Guns & Gear

Shows

TFB Top Products

Forgotten Weapons: Schultz & Larsen RPLT-42

You may also be interested in