Introduced late in the war, the Gustloff Volksturmgewehr 1-5, or "People's Storm/Assault Rifle," was part of a wave of "Volks" weapons intended as last ditch weapons that could be made at high speed with limited resources. Designed by Karl Barnitzke at the Gustloff-Werke factory, the intent of these was to require a minimum of detailed machining, and the VG.1-5 uses stamped and welded steel for many parts, with flat board forearm panels and stock, and configured to accept the same magazines and 7.92x33mm Kurz ammunition as the MP44/Sturmgewehr. Approximately 10,000 of these were manufactured in early 1945 prior to the surrender of the Reich, with a limited amount remaining today due to the majority being scrapped after the war. Operation is through the gas-delayed blowback principle, with a set of vents near the muzzle directing gas into the combination barrel sleeve and bolt carrier, allowing the use of high-pressure ammunition without elaborate locking mechanisms at the breech. Blade front and fixed notch rear sights mounted on the barrel sleeve, with a sheet metal cover at the rear, two-piece forearm, one-piece buttstock with "Th1447" stamped on the left, and fitted with a canvas sling. Properly, no Waffenamt proofs are present; intended for issue to civilian auxiliaries and hastily organized Volksturm units, the VG.1-5 was never subjected to formal military inspection.