Summary

The G3 is a 7.62mm NATO select-fire battle rifle designed by German arms manufacturer Heckler Koch and the Spanish state-owned design agency CETME.

History

The G3 was a product which rose from the ashes of World War II; the roller-delay blowback action it uses was first developed for the late-war StG 45 assault rifle.

Based on the very similar CETME Model 58 by the same group that would establish HK, the rifle would be accepted by the Bundswehr (German Armed Forces) in 1959 as the G3. Like the Mauser rifle half a century before, the G3 would be immensely popular with export customers.

With 7 million rifles made for 40 customers, it is undeniably popular. Many of these rifles remain in service to this day, and can be found in conflicts the world over.

Derivatives

Emboldened by this success, HK developed a family of weapons based on the G3. Most notable of these is the MP5 submachine gun, arguably the best of its class.

This Particular Weapon

This particular rifle is a Paternian M58A3, an HK-licensed copy of the G3. Adopted in 1956 as the CETME M58, it was the main battle rifle of the Paternian Armed Forces until it was replaced by the M16 in 1967. The rifle would see long use as a marksman’s rifle on account of its range, and this weapon is fitted with a Paternian Ordnance bipod and M147 4x telescopic sight.