CETME Rifle

CETME Model B - 7.62x51mm NATO

CETME Model C - 7.62x51mm NATO

The name CETME is an acronym for Centro de Estudios Técnicos de Materiales Especiales, a Spanish government design and development establishment. The CETME rifle, which was initially trialed with other calibers, but eventually chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO caliber, was designed primarily by the German engineer, Ludwig Vorgrimmler, who based his model on a late WWII German prototype assault rifle, the experimental StG45(M).

Manufactured in Spain from 1957, the CETME served as a blueprint for the German Heckler & Koch G3 series of battle rifles. The CETME features roller-delayed blowback operation, which it shares with many German weapons. The CETME rifle was manufactured in three models, the A, B, and C. The primary difference in the three models is the absence of a bipod and lower-weight C model, which also features more wood. In the 1980s, CETME developed the CETME Model L which was a "light" modern 5.56mm NATO assault rifle with composite materials, which was derived from the earlier A, B and C rifles, sharing the same roller-delayed blowback action.

The easiest way to determine a Spanish CETME apart from one of its H&K cousins is by looking at the fixed rear sight (whereas the H&K family generally use the rotary "spindle" or "barrel" type peep-sights.). Some older magazines are slightly curved, but many CETME magazines look almost identical to H&K ones; also the wooden stock is usually indicative of a CETME, however there are some H&K G3/91s with wooden furniture stock sets.

The Spanish CETME has been used by the following actors in the following films and video games:

Film

Title	Actor	Character	Note	Date
Cuba		Seen in firing port of armoured car	Unclear model	1979
Hell of the Living Dead		Commandos	Model B	1980
Revenge of the Ninja		Caifano's henchman	Model B	1983
Universal Soldier		Terrorists	Model BtC	1992
23-F		Spanish Guardia Civil and Army	Model C	2011
The Cold Light of Day	Roschdy Zem	Zahir	Model C, with a scope and suppressor	2012

Video Games

Game Title	Mods	Notations	Release Date
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War		Model C	2020

See also

• Heckler & Koch G3