| The MP 40 along with the MP 38 is often called the Schmeisser although Hugo Schmeisser had nothing to do with its early manufacture, or its design.
The MP4O was a cheaper to produce version of the 38 and its mass production was unique in that different firms made different parts which were brought together for assembly.
In 1943 a twin magazine model was made to match the Russian PPSh41 which had a 71 round drum magazine.
Two 32 round magazines were held in the housing and slid across one after the other.
The increased weight meant it was not a success.
The wooden stock model was the Mp41 or MP41/1.
On another subject the Vickers 303 machine gun was highly regarded. It is recorded that one was test fired for 7 days without malfunctioning. However the quality of ammo could affect its performance. There was a round developed for the Vickers specifically, the Mark 8z and this added another 1000 yards to its range.
No wonder the Germans called the Vickers "whispering death." |