DISCLAIMER: Any resemblance to real-life companies is purely coincidental. This weapon was also made with an alternate timeline in mind.
Overview[]
A normal SG-17 machine rifle.
The Bergmann Stoßgewehr-17 (Shock Rifle, 1917) was an early Imperial German machine rifle utilised in World War I. It was designed as a mobile counterpart to Theodor Bergmann's earlier and more powerful, but also far more expensive MG15 machine gun. It saw action in the closing months of World War I's western front, where it helped the Germans secure victory.
The rifle was built on top of a heavily-altered Mauser G98 stock, but in itself was a completely new long-stroke gas piston-operated magazine-fed rifle. THe magazine could hold 25 rounds and was replaceable. The rifle had a long barrel and a distinctive slim, ventilated barrel shroud. Combined with the gun's bipod, this made it remarkably front-heavy, a common complaint - however, this along with the muzzle brake made it easy to control even in walking fire. With components like the recoil spring and the bolt being more compact than ever before, the rifle was a miniaturisation miracle; and the wooden stock allowed less use of heavy, expensive steel. The operation method wasn't all that simple for its time, but the fact that the rifle's moving components were mostly closed off shielded it from reliability problems - one of the many edges it had over, say, the Chauchat.
The original trench blaster, the SK-17
A smaller version, the SK-17 (Stoßkarabiner-17), was introduced in early 1918, when both European fronts were done with, and saw action in the Ottoman Empire and Egypt. This one had a shorter barrel and shroud and lacked a stock. When both variants returned to service in WWII, the Carbines received folding wire stocks for better control. Both variants of the Siebzehn were praised by German troops for its compact yet devastating firepower. The carbine version was widely used by Shock Troopers who desired a more powerful automatic weapon than the MP-18, but could not use the normal SG due to its excessive length. As stated before, it saw service right through to the end of WWII, and still remains in service with Germany's African allies (former colonies).
Statistics[]
Name : Bergmann SG17/SK17
Weight : 7.38 kg (loaded; SG17), 6.18 kg (loaded; SK17)
Length : 47.95" (SG17), 34.70" (SK17; no stock/folded stock)
Barrel Length : 25.90" (SG17), 20.10" (SK17)
Feed System: 25-round magazine
Caliber : 8x57mm Mauser
Muzzle Velocity : 700-900 m/s
Optimal Range : 600 meters
Effective Range : >1300 meters
Rate of Fire : 500 RPM (SG17), 700 RPM (SK17)
Overall[]
- Accuracy : Very Good
- Recoil : Medium
- Damage : Good
- Mobility : Okay
- Reload Speed : Quick
- Penetration : Sufficient