Poland's WW2 Battle Rifle: the Maroszek wz.38M

Published on March 17, 2017
Duration: 17:36

The Maroszek wz.38M was a rare Polish semi-automatic rifle designed by Józef Maroszek before WW2, intended to replace bolt-action Mausers. It featured a gas-operated, tilting bolt system and a 10-round magazine in 8x57mm Mauser. Production was halted by the 1939 invasion, making surviving examples extremely rare.

Quick Summary

The Maroszek wz.38M was a Polish semi-automatic rifle designed by Józef Maroszek before WW2, featuring a gas-operated, tilting bolt and chambered in 8x57mm Mauser. Production began in 1938 but was halted by the 1939 invasion, making surviving examples extremely rare.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Maroszek wz.38M
  2. 00:38Designer and Development History
  3. 01:41Technical Requirements and Competition
  4. 04:08Production and Rarity
  5. 05:00Markings and External Features
  6. 06:28Disassembly and Internal Mechanics
  7. 10:28Gas System and Sights
  8. 15:17Final Assessment

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Maroszek wz.38M rifle?

The Maroszek wz.38M was a Polish semi-automatic rifle designed by Józef Maroszek before World War II. It was intended to replace the standard bolt-action Mauser rifles in Polish service and featured a gas-operated, tilting bolt mechanism.

When was the Maroszek wz.38M developed and produced?

Development began after Józef Maroszek's design won Polish army trials in 1935. Production started in 1938 with an initial order of 55 rifles, but was halted by the German and Soviet invasions in 1939.

What were the technical specifications of the Maroszek wz.38M?

The rifle was chambered in 8x57mm Mauser, had a 600mm barrel, a 10-round magazine capacity, and weighed under 4.5kg. It utilized a gas-operated action with a tilting bolt.

How rare is the Maroszek wz.38M rifle today?

The Maroszek wz.38M is exceptionally rare. Only five or six original examples are known to exist today, making it a highly sought-after collector's item and a 'Polish unicorn' in firearms history.

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