A World War II-era German selective fire rifle chambered for 7.92×33mm Kurz cartridge, designed by Hugo Schmeisser and entered service in 1943. The word Sturmgewehr is German for "assault rifle". The StG44 was an improvement of the earlier MKb42. It influenced the design of many post-war weapons such as the AKs' gas-operated mechanism, and the two-piece receiver designs of many Western military rifles (M16, FN FAL, etc.).