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The CETME Model 58 is a stamped-steel,
select-fire Selective fire is the capability of a weapon to be adjusted to fire in semi-automatic, fully automatic, and/or burst mode. The modes are chosen by means of a selector switch, which varies depending on the weapon's design. Some selective-fire we ...
battle rifle A battle rifle is a service rifle chambered to fire a fully powered cartridge. The term "battle rifle" is a retronym created largely out of a need to better differentiate the intermediate-powered assault rifles (e.g. the StG-44, AK-47, M16 ...
produced by the Spanish armaments manufacturer Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales (CETME). The Model 58 used a 20-round box magazine and was chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO round (although originally designed for the 7.92×41mm CETME cartridgeJohnston, Gary Paul, and Thomas B. Nelson. The World's Assault Rifles. Ironside International Publishers, Inc., 2016. and later for the reduced power Spanish 7.62×51mm cartridge). The CETME 58 would become the foundation of the widely deployed German
Heckler & Koch G3 The Heckler & Koch G3 (''Gewehr'' 3) is a 7.62×51mm NATO, select-fire battle rifle developed in the 1950s by the German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch (H&K) in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned design and development agency ...
battle rifle. Semi-automatic variants were also produced for the civilian market.


Development

The CETME (Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales) rifle was designed primarily by the German engineer Ludwig Vorgrimler, who based his design on the experimental German
StG 45(M) The StG 45(M) (abbreviation of Sturmgewehr 45, "Assault Rifle 45") sometimes referred to as the MP 45(M), was a prototype assault rifle developed by Mauser for the ''Wehrmacht'' at the end of World War II, using an innovative roller-delayed blo ...
and the French-made
AME 49 #REDIRECT AME #REDIRECT AME {{redirect category shell, {{R from other capitalisation{{R from ambiguous page ...
{{redirect category shell, {{R from other capitalisation{{R from ambiguous page ...
. The StG45 used a roller-delayed blowback mechanism somewhat similar to the roller-locking system patented by Edward Stecke in the 1930s in Poland and used in the
MG 42 The MG 42 (shortened from German: ''Maschinengewehr 42'', or "machine gun 42") is a German recoil-operated air-cooled general-purpose machine gun used extensively by the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS during the second half of World War II. Enterin ...
. The MG42 locking system actually locks completely and requires a short-stroke barrel that travels backward to unlock, compared to the StG45(M) system that never completely locks and does not require a moving barrel. The CETME design inherits the StG45(M)'s fixed-barrel. However, the CETME Model 58 introduced a novel solution to the problem of cartridges sticking in the chamber.The Complete Encyclopedia of Automatic Army Rifles. by A. E. Hartink. Hackberry Press. 2001. pages 119 & 120 That is a fluted chamber, which is horizontal grooves in the chamber, that allows the cartridge cases to float on a layer of gas to aid extraction. The horizontal marking left on spent cartridge cases has become a signature of this design. The requirements for the original design requested the rifle weigh no more than 4.1 kg, an effective range of 1000 metres and a large magazine capacity. This required a very ambitious development of rifle technology to work but the CETME engineers, based on earlier German experiments, believed this was possible by using an unconventional projectile. Thus the 7.92x41mm CETME, CA-001 cartridge was developed and unveiled in 1953. It would be lightweight and elongated to make it aerodynamic, yet fired at normal rifle velocities. The rounds weighed 6.8 grams and had a muzzle velocity of 800 m/s. To allow such a long projectile to be stable in flight, a method was required to achieve proper mass distribution. The solution was that the aluminium core was wrapped around the middle in a copper jacket that was open at both ends, leaving the exposed aluminium core at either end (the core's middle section was compressed to allow the copper jacket to fit without protruding). While such a lightweight bullet would normally be affected by crosswinds compared to a normal weight projectile, the engineers at CETME contended that the bullet's aerodynamic shape minimised this problem. Sources from the time indicate that at 1000 metres, the dispersion characteristics of the bullet were equal to those of normal rifle projectiles despite its light weight. In addition, sources state that at 1000 metres, the projectile could perforate Spanish, Russian, Italian, Czech and German helmets. The bullet reportedly behaved like a standard full metal jacket bullet. The lightness of the projectile meant it had a lower recoil impulse, which was a key objective of the engineers as it would reduce bullet dispersion during fully automatic fire. Later on in development, the
Bundesgrenzschutz Bundesgrenzschutz (BGS; en, Federal Border Guard) is the former name of the German ''Bundespolizei'' (Federal Police). Established on 16 March 1951 as a subordinate agency of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the BGS originally was prima ...
informed CETME that they were interested in the rifle but requested the cartridge diameter be reduced from 7.92mm to 7.62mm and that the same 41mm cartridge case should be used. This was accomplished after considerable time and effort, with the new round being designated the 7.62x41mm CETME, CA-002. Despite the rifle performing excellently with this cartridge, the Bundesgrenzschutz later stated that they could only adopt it if it was rechambered with the 7.62x51mm NATO cartridge due to standardisation agreements and thus the weapon was redesigned for this cartridge, designated by the Spanish as Modelo B. The first prototype rifles fired the same 7.92×33mm Kurz round as the StG45, and a variety of experimental 7.92 and 7.62mm cartridges were tested before settling on the 7.62×51mm CETME. This round, chosen due to requirements of the then-interested
West German West Germany is the colloquial term used to indicate the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG; german: Bundesrepublik Deutschland , BRD) between its formation on 23 May 1949 and the German reunification through the accession of East Germany on 3 O ...
Bundesgrenzschutz Bundesgrenzschutz (BGS; en, Federal Border Guard) is the former name of the German ''Bundespolizei'' (Federal Police). Established on 16 March 1951 as a subordinate agency of the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the BGS originally was prima ...
, was dimensionally identical to 7.62×51mm NATO, but with a lighter bullet and powder charge to reduce recoil, making the fully automatic fire more controllable. In December 1956, the
West German West Germany is the colloquial term used to indicate the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG; german: Bundesrepublik Deutschland , BRD) between its formation on 23 May 1949 and the German reunification through the accession of East Germany on 3 O ...
Bundeswehr The ''Bundeswehr'' (, meaning literally: ''Federal Defence'') is the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Germany. The ''Bundeswehr'' is divided into a military part (armed forces or ''Streitkräfte'') and a civil part, the military part con ...
received 400 CETME A rifles for intensive trials. Due to the tests performed by the , the ergonomy of the rifle was improved. With feedback from
Heckler & Koch Heckler & Koch GmbH (HK; ) is a German defense manufacturing company that manufactures handguns, rifles, submachine guns, and grenade launchers. The company is located in Oberndorf am Neckar in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, and als ...
, the rifle was able to fire the 7.62 NATO round due to the better quality of its steel. The Model B went on to be the foundation of the widely deployed
Heckler & Koch G3 The Heckler & Koch G3 (''Gewehr'' 3) is a 7.62×51mm NATO, select-fire battle rifle developed in the 1950s by the German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch (H&K) in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned design and development agency ...
battle rifle. The CETME B rifle in 7.62 CETME was adopted as the ''Fusil de Asalto CETME Modelo 1958 de 7,62mm'' by the
Spanish Army The Spanish Army ( es, Ejército de Tierra, lit=Land Army) is the terrestrial army of the Spanish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is one of the oldest active armies — dating back to the late 15th century. The ...
in September 1957 and its production began in Spain during 1961 The CETME series of battle rifles were manufactured in four basic models; the A, B, C and E models. The primary difference in the production models is the modes of fire, the absence of bipod and lighter weight for later models.


Models


Model A

The Model As were the developmental prototypes. These models were unusual as they fired from the closed bolt in semi-automatic and from the open bolt in full-auto mode. Later production models fire from only the closed bolt. The Model A's are easily identified by the position of rear sight and bi-pod folded back to form fore-stock. In 1954, the rifle saw limited introduction in the Spanish Army. They used the 7.92x41mm CETME cartridge.


Model B

The Model B was the first production model. It had a perforated steel handguard and chambered for the 7.62×51mm CETME round. The 7.62 mm CETME differed from the standard 7.62mm NATO round by having a lighter-weight bullet and a smaller propellant charge. The parts for the Model B are for most part interchangeable with the later Model C rifles. The Spanish Army adopted a variant of the Model B re-chambered for the more powerful 7.62×51mm NATO round. The Model B could be converted to fire the 7.62mm NATO round if the bolt group and return spring are replaced with that of the Model C. These modified rifles were known as Model 58-64-C and by 1971 all the Spanish CETME B rifles had been upgraded.


Model C

The Model C was a lightweight version that was chambered for the 7.62×51mm NATO round and had wooden fore-stocks. The Model C is virtually identical to the Model B. However, certain components had been strengthened to better deal with the increased power of the standard 7.62mm NATO round. It became standard rifle by 1974.


Model E

The CETME Model E replaced the wooden parts of the stock with plastic and the steel components with aluminium. After a short period on the production line, it was discovered that they were weaker than the previous models and that continuous fire deformed the firearms rapidly, and due to this, relatively few were produced and they were quickly discontinued.


Model R

The CETME R was a derivative of the CETME B without buttstock, intended to be used aboard armored vehicles.


Variants


CETME L and LC

The CETME Model L was a downsized variant of the CETME system, chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge. It was adopted by the Spanish Army in 1984 and was in service until it was replaced by the Heckler and Koch G36 rifle in 1999.


Civilian versions

In the 1960s, the Mars Equipment Corporation of Chicago imported into the USA Spanish-made semiautomatic versions of the CETME B and C rifles. Available accessories included a 1" scope mount, a plastic snap-on rifle cover, and the stock CETME magazine loading tool. The model-B rifles included the standard integrated bipod. These rifles can be identified by a large MARS import mark on the right-hand side along with a prominent "MADE IN SPAIN". They are prized by collectors far above the US-made "parts kit" rifles. In the late 1990s
Century Arms International Century International Arms is an importer and manufacturer of firearms that is based in the United States. The company was founded in 1961 in St. Albans, Vermont, with offices in Montreal. In 1995, the company headquarters and sales staff moved to ...
(CAI) began offering semiautomatic only civilian versions known as the CETME Sporter, which are manufactured from assembled military surplus and US made parts. Although largely built from Model "C" parts, there have been reports of model "B" parts in the Model "C" Century built rifles. Due to the restrictions against importing receivers of select-fire weapons, all receivers for these civilian versions are made in the US. Earlier receivers were of cast aluminum, while later receivers were made from stamped and welded steel. Earlier rifles retained the wood furniture of the originals while later examples were available with Heckler & Koch style composite stocks. Due to state and local laws restricting weapons with assault weapon features, earlier models of the CETME Sporter featured a permanently pinned muzzle brake rather than the original flash hider. After the 1994 Assault Weapons ban expired in 2004, Century produced models with a removable muzzle brake. NATO 7.62×51mm ammunition may safely be used in the CETME sporter, while commercial .308 ammunition is not recommended for use due to the tendency of the extractor to tear off the rims of the softer civilian brass. The CETME delayed roller lock design has a violent extraction and ejection process that flings the empty brass far from the weapon. The brass generally cannot be reloaded due to denting during the ejection operation, this is of no consequence when using mil-spec surplus ammunition with Berdan priming.


Users


Frontline service

* - Biafran armed forces * - * * * * * -
Commandos Marine The Commandos Marine are the special operation forces, Special Operation Forces (SOF) of the French Navy. The Commandos Marine are nicknamed ''Bérets Verts'' (Green beret, Green Berets). They operate under the FORFUSCO, Sailor Riflemen and S ...
used CETME-B rifles seized aboard a smuggling boat during the Algerian War, and kept them in limited service until the 1990s * * -
Lebanese Armed Forces ) , founded = 1 August 1945 , current_form = 1991 , disbanded = , branches = Lebanese Ground Forces Lebanese Air Force Lebanese Navy , headquarters = Yarze, Lebanon , flying_hours = , websi ...
** Amal Movement * -
Polisario Front The Polisario Front, Frente Polisario, Frelisario or simply Polisario, from the Spanish abbreviation of (Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el-Hamra and Río de Oro), (in ar, rtl=yes, الجبهة الشعبية لتحرير الس� ...
* - Spanish Armed Forces * -


Trials only

* : CETME Model A The Spanish CETME A was also tested at
Aberdeen Proving Ground Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) (sometimes erroneously called Aberdeen Proving ''Grounds'') is a U.S. Army facility located adjacent to Aberdeen, Harford County, Maryland, United States. More than 7,500 civilians and 5,000 military personnel work ...
in July 1954. The CETME Model A in 7.62 CETME and 7.62 NATO was also demonstrated to the French, Swedes and
Italians , flag = , flag_caption = Flag of Italy, The national flag of Italy , population = , regions = Italy 55,551,000 , region1 = Brazil , pop1 = 25–33 million , ref1 = , ...
in 1955. From 1957, the Dutch company Nederlandse Wapen en Munitiefabriek also demonstrated the CETME/H&K Model B rifle to the
Royal Netherlands Army The Royal Netherlands Army ( nl, Koninklijke Landmacht) is the land branch of the Netherlands Armed Forces. Though the Royal Netherlands Army was raised on 9 January 1814, its origins date back to 1572, when the was raised – making the Dut ...
, the
Netherlands Marine Corps The Netherlands Marine Corps ( nl, Korps Mariniers) is the elite naval infantry corps of the Royal Netherlands Navy. The marines trace their origins back to the establishment of the on 10 December 1665, by the then grand pensionary of the Du ...
,
Finland Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bo ...
(chambered in
7.62×39mm The 7.62×39mm (aka 7.62 Soviet, formerly .30 Russian Short) round is a rimless bottlenecked intermediate cartridge of Soviet origin. The cartridge is widely used due to the worldwide proliferation of Russian SKS and AK-47 pattern rifles, a ...
),
Ecuador Ecuador ( ; ; Quechuan languages, Quechua: ''Ikwayur''; Shuar language, Shuar: ''Ecuador'' or ''Ekuatur''), officially the Republic of Ecuador ( es, República del Ecuador, which literally translates as "Republic of the Equator"; Quechuan ...
and
Dominican Republic The Dominican Republic ( ; es, República Dominicana, ) is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean region. It occupies the eastern five-eighths of the island, which it shares with ...
but no gun was produced nor ordered.


See also

*
CETME CETME () is a Spanish government design and development establishment. While being involved in many projects CETME was mostly known for its small arms research and development Research and development (R&D or R+D), known in Europe as rese ...
*
Heckler & Koch G3 The Heckler & Koch G3 (''Gewehr'' 3) is a 7.62×51mm NATO, select-fire battle rifle developed in the 1950s by the German armament manufacturer Heckler & Koch (H&K) in collaboration with the Spanish state-owned design and development agency ...
* Heckler & Koch G41 * Heckler & Koch HK33 * List of weapons of the Lebanese Civil War


References


Sources

* Manual del soldado de Infantería de Marina ( 1985 ). Marine Corps soldier Manual Edited by the Spanish Ministry of Defence. * Manual de instrucción básica de la Escuela Técnica de Seguridad y Defensa del Aire (ETESDA) (2002). Basic instruction Manual of the Technical School Safety and Air Defence (ETESDA) (2002). Edited by the Spanish Ministry of Defence. * Centro de Documentación y Publicaciones del Ministerio de Defensa. Publications and Documentation Centre of the Ministry of Defence. * CETME: 50 años del fusil de asalto español . (CETME: 50 years of Spanish assault rifle). José María Manrique García and Lucas Molina Franco. Edit. La Esfera de los Libros. (The Sphere of Books). . *


External links


Buddy Hinton Collection / CETME
*More information on the cetme Including the Mars Impor
Century Arms CETME Manual
*Original Spanish manual translated into English
CETME Model C ManualA graphic of the various versions
{{Use dmy dates, date=June 2017 CETME 7.62×51mm NATO battle rifles Rifles of Spain Roller-delayed blowback firearms Weapons of Spain