The German Army decided that, as they thought the 7.92 mm cartridge was too powerful, they needed to develop a new cartridge. The cartridge they developed was the 7.92x33mm round. In 1942, Haenel and Walther were both tasked with creating rifles that utilized this new ammunition. This led to the development of two new automatic carbines; the MKb 42(H) and the MKb 42(W) (the "H" and "W" suffixes standing for "Haenel" and "Walther" respectively, indicating each weapons manufacturer). After vigorous trials, the Haenel model was found to be the better model. It was shortly thereafter fielded by the Wehrmacht in the Eastern Front. The MKb 42(W) was abandoned and no further MKb 42(W) rifles were produced, with Walther turning their attention to the production of P38 handguns. Today, MKb 42(W) rifles are collector's pieces and usually found only in museums and exhibitions.
- ↑ http://world.guns.ru/assault/de/mkb42-h-e.html
- ↑ The Illustrated World Encyclopedia of Guns, p.385