The Volkssturmgewehr 1-5 was a 7.92 x 33 mm (7.92 mm Kurz) caliber semi-automatic rifle developed by Nazi Germany during World War II. Also known as the VG 1-5, Volkssturm-Gewehr 1-5, Versuchs-Gerat 1-5 and "Gustloff." It was intended to be used by the Volkssturm militia. Volkssturmgewehr 1-5 used a gas-delayed blowback action based on the Barnitzke system, whereby gas bled from the barrel near the chamber creates resistance to the rearward impulse of the operating parts, which ceases when the projectile leaves the muzzle, allowing the operating parts to be forced rearward by the residual pressure of the cartridge case. This principle has been used most successfully in the Heckler & Koch PSP or P7 pistol. The VG 1-5 is constructed rather like many automatic pistols, it has a casing and spring around the barrel and the whole casing recoils backward. The breach block, with firing pin and extractor, is pinned to the back end of the barrel casing. The rear end of the gun does not recoil and has the hammer, sear and trigger built into it. Gas coming from four vents, near the end of the of the barrel hold the bolt closed till the gas pressure drops to a safe level. The VG 1-5 used the same 30 shot 7.92 x 33 mm (7.92 mm Kurz) caliber magazine as the Sturmgewehr 44. Some selective-fire VG 1-5 were made.

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/3207/volkssturmgewehr15tt3.jpg http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/2281/vg15hf8.jpg Compare to STG-45: http://www.sturmgewehr.com/bhinton/HK_Plant_Mauser_Museum/EarlyCetme_MauserGerat06H.jpg http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/3403/stg45mfc4.jpg http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/9272/stg45striprw1.jpg