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Steyr-Solothurn S2-200: the Austrian MG30 and Hungarian 31M (Ad-free)
🕑 Added 2024-09-23 12:00:04 +0000 UTCThe S2-200 was developed by Louis Stange at the Rheinmetall company in Germany in the late 1920s. Because Germany was not allowed to be doing this sort of arms development at the time, Rheinmetall bought a controlling stake in the Swiss firm Solothurn AG, to make the product deniably Swiss. The gun itself is recoil operated, with a rotating locking collar connecting the bolt and barrel, rather like the Hotchkiss Portative. It was a design that had some early influence on the German MG34, although the German military declined to adopt it. Instead, it was taken into service in 8x56mm by both Austria (as the MG30) and Hungary (as the 31M). A third purchaser was El Salvadore, which purchased 47 examples in 7x57mm caliber.
After the anschluss in 1938, the Austrian guns were integrated into the Wehrmacht, where they were primarily used by mountain troops. Hungary did later make a version in 7.92x57mm, designated the 43M.
Many thanks to the Royal Armouries for allowing me to film and disassemble these two very rare LMGs! The NFC collection there - perhaps the best military small arms collection in Western Europe - is available by appointment to researchers:
https://royalarmouries.org/research/national-firearms-centre/
You can browse the various Armouries collections online here:
https://royalarmouries.org/collection/
Comments
Kerwin Kerr
Cool!
Forgotten Weapons
It is absolutely on my list to do. There's only one, and it's at the Springfield Armory NHS - when I am able to get there next I will be filming it.
Kerwin Kerr
Ian, I just found out about the sheet metal .45 Guide Lamp developed in World War II. Could you make a video on this? I was fascinated when I learned about it! https://i.imgur.com/REo8G67.jpg
Guido Schriewer
like a johnson lmg just more german. yeah it does look kind of slim and elegant.
Mark Brian
Thx, went back and watched your episode on flappers. Now I more clearly understand the grooved chambers on H&K's - primary extraction issues. Always knew that but as usual your insights afford a deeper understanding. Thanks.
Mike DePolis
That exposed external sear component seems like a terrible idea. I could see that easily getting getting fouled and stuck with crud, especially in that location. Otherwise, neat MG. Thanks for another great vid Ian!
Forgotten Weapons
No, roller locking goes back to the earlier Kjellman patent
Mark Brian
Just the kind of precise machining and engineering one would expect. Very interesting. Question: would you consider this a genesis of the roller-locked actions of today?
