The origin of the G3 can be traced back to the final years of World War II when Mauser engineers at the Light Weapon Development Group (Abteilung 37) at Oberndorf am Neckar designed the Maschinenkarabiner Gerät 06 (MKb Gerät 06, "machine carbine device 06") prototype assault rifle chambered for the intermediate 7.92×33mm Kurz cartridge, first with the Gerät 06 model using a roller-locked short recoil mechanism originally adapted from the MG 42 machine gun but with a fixed barrel and conventional gas-actuated piston rod. With careful attention to the mechanical ratios, the gas system could be omitted. The resultant weapon, Gerät 06H (the "H" suffix is an abbreviation for halbverriegelt - "half-locked") was assigned the designation StG 45(M) (Sturmgewehr 45(M), assault rifle 45) but was not produced in significant numbers and the war ended before the first production rifles were completed.

The German technicians involved in developing the StG 45(M) were taken to work in France at Centre d'Etudes et d'Armement de Mulhouse (CEAM). The StG 45(M) mechanism was modified by Ludwig Vorgrimler and Theodor Löffler at the Mulhouse facility between 1946 and 1949. Three versions were made, chambered in .30 Carbine, 7.92×33mm Kurz, and the experimental 7.65×35mm French short cartridge developed by Cartoucherie de Valence in 1948. A 7.5×38mm cartridge using a partial aluminium bullet was abandoned in 1947. Löffler's design, designated Carabine Mitrailleuse Modèle 1950, was retained for trials among 12 different prototypes designed by CEAM, MAC, and MAS. Engaged in the Indochina War and being the second NATO contributor, France canceled the adoption of these new weapons for financial reasons.

In 1950, Vorgrimler moved to Spain where he created the LV-50 rifle chambered for the Kurz cartridge and later, the proprietary 7.92×40mm CETME M53 round. At this point, the rifle was renamed the Modelo 2. The Modelo 2 drew the attention of the West German Bundesgrenzschutz (Border Guards), who sought to re-equip the newly formed national defense forces. Not willing to accept a cartridge outside of the NATO specification, the Germans asked CETME to develop a 7.62×51mm version of the rifle. The resulting CETME Model A was chambered for the 7.62×51mm CETME cartridge which was identical in chamber dimensions but had a reduced-power load compared to the 7.62×51mm NATO round. Further development of the rifle with input from H&K produced the CETME Model B which received several modifications, including the ability to fire from a closed bolt in both semi-automatic and automatic firing modes, a new perforated sheet metal handguard (the folding bipod had been the foregrip in previous models), improved ergonomics and a slightly longer barrel with a 22 mm rifle grenade launcher guide. In 1958, this rifle was accepted int…

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The G3 served as a basis for many other weapons, among them: the PSG1 and MSG90 precision rifles, the HK11 and HK21 family of light machine guns, a semi-automatic version known as the HK41, a "sporterized" model called the SR9 (designed for the civilian market in countries where the HK91 would not qualify, primarily the US after the 1989 importation restrictions) and the MC51 carbine.
• G3: Original model based on the CETME Model 58 introduced in 1959 and approved in 1960. It had a wooden stock and handguard.
• G3A1: G3 approved in 1963 with a single-position, retractable stock sliding in grooves pressed in the sides of the body, locked by a catch under the special bodycap. This design was chosen after earlier experimentation with an MP-40 style ventrally-folding metal stock; excessive recoil caused it to be dropped from consideration.
• G3A2: G3 developed in 1962 with new rotating drum rear sight and a Freischwinger (FS) free-floating barrel that significantly improved accuracy.
• G3A3: The most well known 1963 version. Drum sights with an improved front sight, a flash-suppressor/muzzle brake capable of firing NATO standard grenades, a fixed solid plastic buttstock, and a plastic handguard that does not contact the free-floating barrel. The handguard came in a slim, ventilated version and a wide version. The latter allows for the attachment of a bipod.
• G3A3A1: This is a version of the G3A3 with an ambidextrous trigger group and brass deflector. This is an official German Army designation, not an HK factory one.
• G3A4: The G3A4 uses drum sights and a single position, retractable stock. Entered service in 1974 for frontline infantry units.
• G3A4A1: This is a variant of the G3A4 with an ambidextrous trigger group and brass deflector. This is an official German Army designation, not an HK factory one.
• G3KA4: Smallest of the line, it is a Karabiner, or carbine version of the G3. It uses an HK33 handguard, features drum sights, a retractable stock, and a 315 mm (12.4 in) barrel (reduced in length to the base of the front sight post), that is too short for use with a bayonet or rifle grenades.
• G3KA4A1: Variant of the G3KA4 with a polymer grip assembly, ambidextrous trigger group and brass deflector. This is an official German Army designation, not an HK factory one.
The G3 rifle is or was produced under license in the following countries: Pakistan, Brazil, Iran, France, Greece, Norway, Mexico, Myanmar, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Sweden and Turkey.

The Pakistani manufacturer,

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• Afghanistan: Iranian and Turkish-made G3s
• Angola
• Argentina: Grupo Halcón (Buenos Aires Police SWAT)
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh: G3A3, G3A4 & G3/SG-1 variants are in service.
• Brazil: Seized rifles used in limited numbers by the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police. G3A3, G3A4 and G3SG1 used by special forces. G3A4 and G3SG1 used by police forces. G3SG1 used by BOPE.
• Bahrain
• Bolivia
• Botswana
• Brunei
• Burkina Faso: French-made G3s
• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Chad
• Central African Republic
• Chile
• Republic of Congo: Used by Cocoye militia during Congo Civil War
• Côte d'Ivoire: French-made G3s
• Cyprus
• Djibouti
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Estonia: Uses the Ak4 and AG-3F2 variant.
• Ethiopia
• Gabon: French-made G3s
• A Bundeswehr G3 fitted with a FERO-Z51 night vision optic Germany: Used by the German Army from the 1950s until the mid-1990s as the primary service rifle. Originally to be replaced by the HK G41 and HK G11, post-reunification budget cuts forced the procurement of the HK G36 instead. Large numbers still in storage, and is used in overseas deployments as a designated marksman rifle. Some variants still in use by border guards and police forces.
• Ghana Greek soldiers in NBC gear with Greek-made G3s
• Greece: The HK G3A3 replaced the American M1 Garand in the late 1970s and manufactured under license by Hellenic Defence Systems

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