Sub-Machine Guns (Machinen-Pistole.)
MP28:
The 'MP28' was the successor to the world's first true sub-machine gun, the MP18, used by the Sturmtruppen in WW1. It was manufactured in 1928 by Bergmann, had a wooden stock, a 32 round box magazine containing 9mm cartridges & a rate of fire of 500 rpm. The magazine was fitted in the left hand side. This weapon was used in the earlier campaigns of WW2 by the Waffen-SS, but was later issued to the Feldgendarmerie units of the SS & Army.
MP34:
The MP34 was quite similar in design and appearance to the MP28, but was initially manufactured in Austria by 'Steyr.' It weighed 4 kg's, had a total length of 810mm's, a wooden stock & a 32 round box magazine with a 400 rpm rate of fire and the magazine was fitted in the right hand side. One notable difference was the pointed 'Austrian pistol grip' compared to the smoother MP28 version. After the annexation with Germany, most of these weapons were seized and re-issued to the Luftwaffe & Police Regiments.
MP38 & MP40:
The famous MP38 and MP40, despite being known as 'the Schmeisser' by allied troops, was not designed by Hugo Schmeisser, but by Heinrich Vollmer of the Erma Erfurter Waffenfabrik company. The MP38 was first pressed into service during the Polish Campaign where it was discovered that a number of modifications were needed, the most notable being the loose safety catch & a tendency for the ammunition to jam. What was also notable with these sub-machine guns was that the cocking handle was moved to the left side, permitting the firer to cock the gun without moving his right hand from the grip. The improved version was the MP40, which was accepted during April of 1940, and was made from pressed steel instead of solid metal. Both versions were capable of containing 32 rounds of 9mm ammunition within the vertical box magazine, however, experienced soldiers usually omitted the last 5, loading only 27, as they were difficult to force into the magazine. Also when fully loaded the magazine follower spring was severely weakened as a result. Over a million in total were manufactured throughout the war, practical range being below 200 metres and a fire rate of 100 rpm was the expected norm. The MP38 is noticeable by the steel ribs running along the top and breech whereas the MP40 is smooth.
MP44 (or Stgw44.)
The Sturmgewehr 44 made history as the world's first assault rifle, the name 'Sturmgewehr' actually literally translating as 'assault rifle.' The StGw44 was a gas-operated automatic weapon that can be fired both in selective single-shot and in full automatic mode (toggled by a switch located on the right side of the gun). Because the metal hand guard of the magazine heated up quickly when the weapon was fired, gunners usually held the StGw 44 at the magazine instead of the hot hand guard. The gun features a 30-round curved magazine and could be fitted with all known accessories including bayonets, silencers and rifle grenade devices. It could also be fitted with the Vampir infra-red night sight device & Krummerlauf (bent barrel) for shooting around corners or for use in vehicles ( I.e. Tank observation slits) . Approximately 425,000 of these weapons were manufactured at a cost of 66RM each and were mainly issued to elite frontline troops such as Panzer Grenadiers & Fallschirmjager. Mikhail Kalashnikov based his 'AK47' sub-machine gun on this design.
MP3008 ( or Volks MP):
The MP3008 was the last machine pistole produced and was maunfactured by Mauser-Werke AG in Jan. 1945. Some 10.000 were made and it was almost a direct ( emergency ) copy of the British Sten Mk2. and was a selective fire weapon.
PPSH:
The Russian 7.62mm PPSH, designed by Georgii Shpagin prior to 1940, (re-designated MP717(R) by the Germans) was a favourite and prized capture by German troops during the early stages of 'Operation Barbarossa.' At that stage, MP38/40's were in short supply & those that were possessed by the troops were severely outgunned by the 71 round drum magazine of the PPSH, compared to the 32 round magazines of the MP38/40's. So many were captured (over 100,000) that the Germans later converted them to fire 9mm ammunition & to incorporate the standard MP38/40 magazines.
