Often called the world’s first Assault Rifle, the Sturmgewehr 44 is an essential addition to many second world war movies, TV shows and video games. The rifle has been a huge influence on firearms history, as well as having a recurring role in World War 2 games like Medal of Honor and Call of Duty. And while often one of the most powerful entries in the arsenal of those video games, does the truth of this historic weapon match up to its on-screen legacy, and does its appearance in games today still kick up a storm?
0:00 - Intro
00:47 - History of the STG 44
03:47 - Is it the first assault rifle?
05:17 - STG 44 in Pop Culture
07:48 - STG 44 in Call of Duty franchise
08:57 - Pop Culture Tropes
12:53 - The Legacy of the STG 44
15:00 - Ending
In this episode of Loadout, Dave Jewitt visits the Royal Armouries to talk to Keeper of Firearms & Artillery Jonathan Ferguson to chat about the world’s first assault rifle, the STG 44.