THE WEAPON, AMUNITIONS, EQUIPMENT 9/2006 istoriya\maloizvestnoe weapon second world warriors YUriy Ponomaryov Automaton Horna.

In the course of wars new type weapons appeared in former german army under so-called "intermediate" ammo - MKB-42 (N) - remade in consequence in submachine gun MP-43, possessing best accuracy of fire, uniting in itself line of the submachine gun, selfload of the rifle and carbine with prospect of their change hereinafter. The Appearance Mp-43 is conditioned was, mainly, reduction to actual range of the action of the fire of the small arms, desire to relieve the weight of the weapon and enlarge the carried spare a patron, enlarge the destructive action and range of the real fire SMG, but in the same way traditional in former german army of the trends to unifications of the weapon. Solely heavy condition of the german economy, at years, preceded defeat to armies, stimulated creation cheap in production sample weapons, cognate on its linear, weight and combat quality with MP-43 (MP-44). The Sample of the weapon, created at the beginning initially 1945 constructor Horn and Barnicke, turned out to be at most simple and cheap in production. Military test are in Germany these sample to pass did not have time to. However, troops of Red Army as trophies was enthralled 9 MG Horn (5 on Kummersdorfskom proving grounds and 4 have entered from captured commands moreover all last with combat damages). The number amount made automaton Horna unknown, but, probably, can not be more than several groups of ten of the pieces. However these sample of the weapon interesting with constructive and production standpoint. One of the captured sample was practised on scientifically-proving grounds GAI MO. On given this single (additionally not completed) of the MG Horn, which is found in Military-history museum of artillery, in SAINT PETERSBURG. Are absent the magazine and base of the sight , it is necessary to note that these detail were replaced from Mp-43/44 on Horna.

The Automaton was developed ia base tactician-specificationses 1944-45 years. german Department of the Arms as design "submachine gun" under 7,9-mm ammo of 1943 Officially in german document ammo

blah blah about allknown 7/92*33 ammo On the personal writes of the constructor Horn, the main requirements Department Armses were concluded in following: 1. blowback action (Massenverschluss). 2. shuting with bolt on front position. 3. Magazines from MKB-42 (H). 4. The Rate of the shooting: approximately 500 rounds per minute 5. Single and fullauto fire. 6. Weight - 4 kg. 7. The Length of the barrel and general length as beside MKB-42 (H). In the same requirement was noted that given "submachine gun" must be better MKB in respect of reductions of time and simplicities of the fabrication for count of the broad using the stamping of the details. As it is seen, the main purpose of the requirements Department Armses was shown development most idle time and cheap in production of the designs of the MG under 7,9 mm ammo , with all qualities of gun. From broughted requirements is seen also that german Department of the Arms considered possible to develop the most simple and the most cheap design in production of the automaton only when use the principle blowback actionso it in their own requirement indicated the design of lock - blowback action. The method blowback action, giving the most simple design of the weapon, has wholly justified itself in submachine gun under pistol ammo, experience of the mass use which in the second world war has allowed in due measure to value their tactical and technical characteristic. Alongside with good work in the action, the high r\per s and simplicity in address and fabrication, the submachine guns suffer the insufficient power of the fire on average distance that has brought the german to thoughts about need of the increase to powers of the patron and making the automaton under more powerful ammo. Significant increase to powers of the ammo, in comparison with pistol, has brought about big difficulty in realization of the designs of the mg on blowback action with the result that they have lost their own main maneuverable quality - a simplicity, small weight and size The Difficulty of the realization to designs of the automaton with the total weight 4 kgs with blowback action, weight which for 7.92*33 must form the order 1,5 kgs, have brought the constructor Horn to more original thought of

the braking more light bolt (0,8-0,9 kgs) by as-retarded blowback system with single piston acting like a bolt brake under the pressure from hot powder gases Realizable on this principle design automaton is experimental, and in some nodes rework directly on made sample that is seen from divergences in many size of the details and size specified in drawing. Besides, on the personal mark of the constructor Horn is seen that given type of the automation german absolutely was not researched on instrument, registerring functioning(working) the automation. The mg Horn works at principle of the use of power of the return bolt. Locking of bolt is realized delayed-blowback action, which at initial moment of the motion is held up at pressures gas on bolt, through special device. The Trigger mechanism provides conduct single and auto fire. The selector is also safe function/ Feeding is realized from mag Mp-43. The Sight - constant (300 metres, open). The Particularity of the sight is a form cuts. Most of detail are stamped Machine processing require only barrel and bolt! The Rest details or very simple (the screws, axis, brads and t. d.), or are made by stamping. The wooden stock butt and pistol grip are made from 30 mm wood board. For provision of vitality to pressed design of the automaton and improvements accuracy - an automation -oriented incomplete departure bolt in extreme back position.