The riddle of the curved barrel rifle used in the Second World War

have gotten a surprised secret from my German friend, at that time the German weapon engineer had succeeded in developing curved barrel rifle, after launching a bullet, the bullet had not shattered, and that the range was the same as traditional rifle of that time, it is only because that Hitler had not offered exorbitant (OR extortionate) expenses, he did not offer his surprised secret curved barrel rifle, he only gave a simple curved rifle to tackle work. By now, no one know this surprised secret. For some mysterious reasons, he did not offer it to other country too, it has been lost.
is it true?

It does not look like its too lost to me, there is a color picture of one on this page:

Sturmgewehr 44
Variations included a StG 44 with a curved barrel to allow for firing around corners (pictured at the bottom of this page). A large amount of development time and resources was put into this ability, resulting in another show of poor management on the part of the German Army when these resources could have been put forth in other areas. The general idea of the curved barrel was to provide tank crews the ability to fire at enemy troops near or on their tanks through weapon portholes, thus keeping the crew and tank safe from being overrun.

The curved barrel operated with a series of holes punched into the barrel. This decreased the velocity of the exiting round, but nonetheless could provide a lethal blow to a nearby combatant. The holes in the barrel could jettison the oncoming gas and force the round through the curved section, whereas the full velocity of the round in the weapons original role would have the round tear right through the curved protrusion. Three different barrels were proposed firing at 30, 40 and 90 degree angles.

[edit on 8/27/2007 by defcon5]

the bullet had not shattered

Originally posted by huws
have gotten a surprised secret from my German friend, at that time the German weapon engineer had succeeded in developing curved barrel rifle, after launching a bullet, the bullet had not shattered,

yes they did – but it was neither a surprise or secret

my grandfathers diaries mention that one was captured by his recce platoon – and after a thorough examination – no one had the courage to fire it – and it was packed in a pannier and sent by courier to HQ , never to be heard of again

and that the range was the same as traditional rifle of that time,

No it most certainly did not – the reasons have been exoplained in a previous post

Further more the tolerances and muzzle crown were far “ looser “ leading to greatly diminished accuracy

The accuracy was further degraded by the sighting system used [ mirrors and prisms ]

Lastly the weapon required special training to be used effectively – a luxury the germans did not have

it is only because that Hitler had not offered exorbitant (OR extortionate) expenses, he did not offer his surprised secret curved barrel rifle, he only gave a simple curved rifle to tackle work. By now, no one know this surprised secret. For some mysterious reasons, he did not offer it to other country too, it has been lost.
is it true?

Is what true ?

Yes the weapons existed – but they were heavy , complex , inaccurate , costly , etc

Too many people buy into thje myth that just because it was developed by the Nazis – it must be superior , They designed some proper lemons – some people attempt to ignore this

The curved barrel was a gimmick – it looked neat – but its actual utility was minimal

And in many instances – it was a liability , You cannot shoot straight

they were light , simple , accurate , cheap , etc ,this i swhat i have heared.