EPK (Pyrkal) machine gun

EPK M1939 (Pyrkal)
EPK M1939 Light Machine Gun
Type	Light machine gun
Place of origin	Kingdom of Greece
Service history
Used by	Greece
Wars	World War II
Production history
Designer	Pyrkal staff
Designed	1939
Manufacturer	Pyrkal
Specifications
Mass	4.15 kg (9.1 lb) (unloaded)
Length	900 mm (35 in)
Barrel length	400 mm (16 in)
Cartridge	7.92x36 mm EPK
Caliber	7.92 mm
Action	gas operated
Rate of fire	720 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity	823 m/s (2,700 ft/s)
Effective firing range	750 m (820 yd)
Feed system	30-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Iron

The EPK machine gun was designed by EPK, a Greek defense company (in English, "Greek Powder and Cartridge Company", GPCC) later known as Pyrkal.

The gun's creation is connected to EPK's ambitions to become a major producer of infantry weapons. Following a proposal to the Greek government in 1937 the development of a modern machine gun of EPK's own design began, as well as construction of a small number of prototypes in 1939. The whole project, including the building of infrastructure for massive production of the gun, was underway when war with Italy broke out on October 28, 1940, subsequent events prohibited its completion. A total of no more than (probably) 10-15 were built, their fate (except for one given as a present to a member of the Greek Royal Family) remains unknown. Later publications suggested that this 7.92 mm weapon exhibited characteristics at the time closer to those of a submachine gun; others, though, including Pyrkal itself, have argued that the weapon was a very advanced design for its time, featuring pioneering elements of a whole class of future assault rifle. Its construction was close to the Thompson submachine gun with ergonomics and weight compatible with the present day Ultimax 100 light machine gun. For the feed system the weapon has a 30-round detachable box magazine that must be placed on the side of the weapon.

• Ribeyrolles 1918 automatic carbine
• Weibel M/1932

This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (November 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

• Christos Sazanidis, "Ta opla ton Ellinon (Arms of the Greeks)", Maiandros, Thessaloniki (1995)
• W. Smith - J. Smith, "Small Arms of the World", 10th rev.ed., Stackpole, Harrisburg (1973)

• Pyrkal