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 'HONVÉDSÉG'. Until 1945 the actual full name was 'Magyar Királyi Honvédség',
(= Hungarian Royal Army) often abbreviated as M.Kir. Honvédség, but never 'Honvéd'. 'Honved' as a noun means either a single soldier, or name of their newspaper or name of their
various Football Teams.
However 'Honvéd' is correct when used as an ADJECTIVE, for example: 'Honvéd Zászlóalj' (Army Batallion).
Check out the official Magyar Honvédség website.
'HONVÉDSÉG' 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, and to entice the 2 German allies to fight each other. 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 to do the same 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.) The correct designation is
48.M Gyalogsági Karabély 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 if Austrian 'S' marked or 31.M and 31.M/a
(cut-down long rifles) if Hungarian 'H' marked or M95/31 for Hungarian 'S' marked conversions. The Bulgarian conversions were 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: The G98/40 German MAUSER was produced under GERMAN OCCUPATION
These G98/40 rifles are not Mausers. Yes, they have a 98k Mauser-style magazine and bayonet lug, but the action is
pure Mannlicher. These rifles were manufactured under two German contracts, 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.
The original 7.65 Frommer cartridges are crimped jacketed.
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