Weapons Identification Sheet Heckler & Koch G3 (& close derivatives)
Variants and their distinguishing features
FURNITURE CONSTRUCTION – HAND GUARD PROFILE
Heckler & Koch G3 (& close derivatives)
Wooden circular Plastic circular Plastic angular
■ TYPE: RIFLE ■ ALSO REFERRED TO AS: G3
G3A1 (pre-1964) G3A3 and G3A4 G3A3 and G3A4 (late
production)
VARIANTS MARKINGS
(Model/manufacturer) On the left side of the weapon, forward of the fire selector
• G3A1; Germany (pre-1964)
• G3A2; Germany, France,
Greece, Portugal
• G3A3; Germany, Pakistan, Iran
(G3-A1), Mexico, Myanmar,
Model illustrated: H&K G3A3 Norway (AG-3), Portugal, Saudi
Arabia, Turkey (G3-A3), United
Kingdom
• G3A3ZF; Germany (optical
Technical Information The Heckler & Koch G3 was developed from the sights)
HK: Germany Three crossed weapons in a
MEK: Turkey cog wheel: Iran
Calibre
Spanish CETME Model B rifle between 1954 and • G3A4; Germany, Greece, Turkey
Diamond in a circle: Lion within wreaths
(G3-A4), Iran (G3A1-1), Mexico,
7.62 x 51 mm NATO 1959. The (usually green) plastic furniture and Pakistan (G3P4), Portugal Germany (pre-1969) surmounted by a crown:
ergonomically moulded pistol grip are distinctive • G3K; Germany (short barrel) K below a crown: Norway Iran (pre-1979)
Length POF: Pakistan RSAF below a crown:
Fixed stock: 1024 mm features of the weapon. Older (pre-1964) versions FMP: Portugal United Kingdom
Retractable stock: Most G3 manufacturer marks
have wooden stocks and hand guards. Iranian are stamped on the left panel
– extended: 1020 mm
– closed: 840 mm models feature a synthetic stock and hand guard of the magazine housing. Greek
STOCK DESIGN
variants feature a stylized ‘EBO’ in
Weight (unloaded) whose pale brown colour is similar in appearance the shape of a diamond, between Fixed Retractable
G3A3: 4.58 kg to wooden furniture. the magazine housing and fire
G3A4: 4.6 kg selector, on the left-hand side of
the weapon. Saudi Arabian models
Barrel length PROBABLE GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION are marked with a palm tree above
488 mm two crossed swords.
Region State forces Non-state/illicit
Feed device:
Western Europe ◗
20- or 30-round detachable box
magazine Eastern Europe G3A1 G3A1-1
Middle East & North Africa ◗ ● G3A2 G3A4
Sighting systems G3A3 G3K
Fore: Post Sub-Saharan Africa ● ●
Rear: ‘V’ and rotating apertures Central Asia
Operating system South Asia ● ◗ Points to include when recording information about the weapon:
Delayed roller-locked, selective fire 1. Serial number, including all prefix and suffix characters
East Asia
2. Characters adjacent to fire selector
Rate of fire
Pacific 3. Any other engraved/stamped information on weapon
500–600 rds/min
North America
Muzzle velocity
780–800 m/s Central America ◗ ◗ Compiled by the Small Arms Survey with the technical assistance of the National Firearms Centre, Royal Armouries, United Kingdom. For further
information or if you have identification queries, contact weaponsID@smallarmssurvey.org or call: +41 22 908 5777. This identification sheet may be
South America ● ● downloaded in printable PDF format at www.smallarmssurvey.org/weaponsID
Accessories
WARNING:
Bayonet, bipod ● Expect regular use ◗ Expect occasional use Do not expect use Make a full and informed appraisal of the local security situation before conducting any research related to small arms and light weapons.
