MANOWAR'S HUNGARIAN WEAPONS
MISCONCEPTIONS, CORRECTIONS


'HUZAGOL' CORRECTION

It is very common, but completely WRONG to call these weapons as 'Huzagol M95' or 'Huzagol 35M' and so on. The word 'huzagol' is a Hungarian VERB meaning the broaching process of creating rifling in the barrel. This word was never used in Hungary (nor in Austria), officially or unofficially in any way to name these rifles. The word 'rifle' (the weapon) is 'puska' in Hungarian. (Pronounced 'pooshka').


'HONVED' CORRECTION

It is very common, but completely WRONG to call the Hungarian Army 'Honved'. The correct name is 'HONVEDSEG'. Until 1945 the actual full name was 'Magyar Kiralyi Honvedseg', (= Hungarian Royal Army) often abbreviated as M.Kir. Honvedseg, but never 'Honved'. 'Honved' as a noun means either a single soldier, or name of their newspaper or name of their various Football Teams.
However 'Honved' is correct when used as an ADJECTIVE, for example: 'Honved Zaszloalj' (Army Batallion).
Check out the official Magyar Honvedseg website.


'HONVEDSEG' CORRECTED TRANSLATION

Another misconception originates from the direct translation of the 'Honved(seg): Hon = Country, ved = defend(ers). It is INCORRECTLY indicated by some 'experts' as similar to the US. National Guard. No, it is the Hungarian Army. There is/was a Hungarian post WW2 unit, which is called 'Munkasorseg'. This translates as Munkas = Worker, orseg = guards. This is/was more similar in function to the US. National Guards.


Misconception: Reason for HUNGARY'S ENTRANCE INTO WW2

Even though Allied historians like to leave out these facts, the USSR committed their unprovoked 'Pearl Harbor' type sneak attack by bombing the Hungarian cities of Kassa and Eperjes on June 26, 1941. Stalin's plan was to cut off Germany from the Romanian oil fields through Hungary's plains, so Hungary had to be provoked to enter the war one way or another. The bombing was done using fake Romanian airplanes in order to put the blame on Romania. I will have much more details, maps, photos about this issue under the 'History' section of this website.
This attack justified Hungary's declaration of war on the USSR just as much as the US was justified against Japan after Pearl Harbor.


Misconception: Existence of HUNGARIAN M44 carbines

The M44 designation for the Hungarian made Mosin Nagant carbines is the invention of the importer. (Probably based on the Soviet designation of M44.) Correct designation is 48.M Gyalogsagi Karabely or 48.M Infantry Carbine, the number 48 indicating the year of acceptance, 1948, the M for Minta (Model). In addition, there are no Hungarian M91/30 rifles either, only 48.M rifles.


Misconception: Existence of Steyr M95/34 carbines

The M95/34 designation for M95 weapons converted to the 8x56R cartridge is the invention of the importer. (Probably based on a group of '34 dated rifles they inspected). Correct designation is M95/30 for Austrian or 31.M and 31.M/a (cut-down long rifles) or M95/31 for Hungarian conversions. The Bulgarian conversion was reportedly called M38.


Misconception: PISTOLE 37(u) was produced under GERMAN OCCUPATION


These Femaru/Frommer 1937 pistols were manufactured under a contract, completed and delivered several months before the German occupation of Hungary in October 1944.


Misconception: FROMMER STOP pistols are .32acp


Original Frommer Stop service pistols are mostly chambered the 7.65mm Frommer cartridge, which has similar functional dimensions as the .32acp, but loaded hot. During the last 60-70 years the common use of readily available .32acp created this misconception. After WW1 the Stop was most likely advertised, exported and sold as .32acp. Originally the pistol was designed for the 'hotter' Frommer 7.65mm cartridge, so using standard .32acp is absolutely safe, however, it may not always result in a perfect operation. So if you have a problem with your Frommer Stop using .32acp, do not blame the gun. Note: the original magazines were stamped '7.65 Frommer'. There is a similar misconception regarding the small number of 9mm Frommer Stops produced. These were 9mm Frommer, not .380acp.
OG's website on Hungarian pistoles shows a picture of an original crimped jacketed proprietary Frommer cartridge.


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