Huadai Precision Industries H48
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| Huadai Precision Industries H48 | |
|---|---|
| File:Huadai Precision Industries H48.png The Huadai Precision Industries H48 assault rifle | |
| Type | Assault rifle |
| Place of origin |  Anikatia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1948-Present (Limited service by Non-state groups) |
| Used by | Anikatia; see Users |
| Wars | Nazali War, Kolenomese War of Liberation, Myrdesia War (Limited) |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Huadai Precision Industries |
| Produced | 1948-1952 |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | R: 3.80 kg (8.4 lb) RS: 3.70 kg (8.16 lb) RSK: 3.3 kg (7.3 lb) |
| Length | R: 880 mm (34.6 in) RSK: 874 mm (34.4 in) stock extended / 654 mm (25.7 in) stock folded. |
| Cartridge | 7.92×33mm |
| Action | Lever-Delayed Blowback |
| Rate of fire | 600 rpm |
| Muzzle velocity | 715 m/s |
| Effective firing range | 300-400 m sight adjustments |
| Feed system | 10, 30-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Aperture rear sight, hooded forward post front sight |
The Huadai Precision Industries H48 was an assault rifle made in Anikatia during end of the Great Eastern War and Anikatian Civil War, it was among the first of its kind to see major deployment and is considered by some to be one of the first modern assault rifle. Production started in 1948 before the formations of the DSRA. Although a highly innovative design it was troubled a tumultuous development cycle amid brutal conflict and destruction, as a result it was ultimately superseded by the highly successful H53 as it was unable to adapt to the newly adopted ammunition of the DSRA.
History
Design work on the weapon began in the last years of Great Eastern War. However in the chaos of the civil war that followed the design was able to progress beyond a limited prototyping stage. It only entered limited service with the Anikatian military before the Anikatian Civil War began, soon both sides would get access to the weapon. The prototypes had a rotary bolt, a two-part receiver with separate trigger unit housing, dual controls (separate safety and fire selector switches) and a non-reciprocating charging handle located on the left side of the weapon. Later prototypes utilized a Lever-Delayed Blowback for its operation, slightly reducing recoil and making it more controllable. The receiver is made from pressed steel with laminated wood stock, grip and handguards. This design simplified the design and production of the rifle.
In 1951, after the conflict in the new Democratic Socialist Republic of Anikatia captured H48s and the factories producing the early prototype H48 designs were once again revived to replace the semi-automatic carbine that had been adopted as the new service rifle. A new design competition was initiated to develop a new assault rifle. Surviving prototypes were once again presented for official military trials. During testing in late 1951 the rifle was redesigned to improve reliability. The first army trial series began in late 1951. The new rifle proved to be reliable under a wide range of conditions particularly within the harsh tropical jungles of northern Anikatia while still presenting convenient handling characteristics. However, there were major difficulties adapting the design to the new 7.62x39mm ammunition, the alternative H53 design proved to be just as reliable while far easier to adapt the new caliber. As a result production of the H48 was shut down and shifted towards the new design, when it was officially adopted by the Anikatian People's Army as "7.62mm Huadai, model 1953 automatic rifle (H53)". During this time, production of the interim semi-automatic carbine rifle continued and the existing supply of H48s were used.
As a result, the H48s saw combat in the Kolenomese War of Liberation and Nazali War by communist forces. During the Cold War period, the H48 was exported to many guerilla forces throughout the world. Many of these rifles found their way to battlefields in Ashizwe, Southwestern Kasaishima, and the Middle East.
Design
Originally, the H48 featured stamped receivers. Visually, most versions of the H48 are distinguished by the fully enclosed hooded front sight. Many versions also feature a folding bayonet attached to the barrel just aft of the muzzle. There are three different types of bayonets made for H48 rifles. It's is simple, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to clean and maintain. The bore and chamber are generally chromium-plated. This plating dramatically increases the life of these parts by resisting corrosion and wear.
Variants
H48
- Initial prototype introduced in 1948, featured a fixed wooden stock and rotary bolt, a two-part receiver with separate trigger unit housing, dual controls (separate safety and fire selector switches) and a non-reciprocating charging handle located on the left side of the weapon.
H48R
- Basic variant introduced in late 1948, featured a fixed wooden stock and Lever-Delayed Blowback operation.
H48RS
- A modernised and simplified lighter version featuring a number of improvements and simplifications to easy production. This is the most ubiquitous variant of the H48.
H48RSK
- The carbine version of the H48RS, created by removing the fixed wooden stock with a simpler folding metal bar.
Ammunition
The H48 series of rifles was available with variants chambered in the following cartridges 7.92×33mm.
Users
Non-state groups
After Great Eastern War and Anikatian Civil War, the DSRA supplied allied regimes and guerrilla movements with small arms such as the H48. Examples also found their way into the hands of the guerrilla movements across Ashizwe, Kasaishima and the rest of the world. It is still used in very limited numbers by militia forces in the Middle East as well as some countries in the Ashizwe.
