Schmeisser MP 41
| Schmeisser MP 41 | |
|---|---|
|
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| general information | |
| Country of operation: | German Empire , Romania |
| Developer / Manufacturer: | Hugo Schmeisser / CG Haenel |
| Development year: | 1941 |
| Manufacturer country: | German Empire |
| Weapon Category: | Submachine gun |
| Furnishing | |
| Overall length: | 860 mm |
| Barrel length : | 250 mm |
| Technical specifications | |
| Caliber : | 9 × 19 mm |
| Possible magazine fillings : | 32 cartridges |
| Ammunition supply : | Bar magazine |
| Cadence : | 500 rounds / min |
| Fire types: | Single, continuous fire |
| Number of trains : | 6th |
| Twist : | right |
| Visor : | open sights |
| Closure : | unlocked ground lock |
| Charging principle: | closing blowback loader |
| Lists on the subject | |
The Schmeisser MP 41 , also called the Haenel-Schmeisser MP 41 , was a German submachine gun that was manufactured during World War II . The weapon was developed by Hugo Schmeisser and produced by the weapons factory CG Haenel in Suhl . Most of the production was exported to Romania . Some of the machine guns were used by the Waffen-SS , the police and the SS security service .
Development and use
The appearance of the MP 41 incorrectly suggests that the weapon is an MP 40 with a wooden shaft . The upper part of the weapon ( bolt mechanism , bolt housing and return spring) is almost identical to that of the MP 40, while the trigger mechanism and the stock were taken from the MP 28/2 , also developed by Hugo Schmeisser . It is not clear why valuable production capacities were used for the MP 41 during the war, although the MP 40 could basically be produced in significantly larger numbers. However, it is possible that the MP 41 was designed to be operated in a similar way to the Orita M1941 or to look exactly the same, because most of the MP 41 submachine guns were sold to Romania. It could also be that there were still production systems or spare parts from the production of the MP 28/2 that could be used in this way.
In addition to its use in Romania, the MP 41 was used by the Waffen-SS, the police and the SD . It is possible that the MP 41 was also used by the Wehrmacht because of the enormous need for weapons during the war . This is also indicated by the acceptance stamp from the Heereswaffenamt , which can be found on some copies. Since the upper part corresponds to that of the MP 40, this is not reliable proof. The upper part of the weapon could have received the stamp even before it was used for the MP 41 as a supposedly standard MP40 spare part. The MP 41 was never officially introduced by the Wehrmacht.
construction
As already mentioned and often falsely claimed, the Schmeisser MP 41 is not an identical replica of the MP 40, even if many parts were taken over from the MP 40. The lock housing and the telescopic recoil spring were taken over from the MP 40. The clasp is almost identical. The shape of the breech has been changed minimally in order to activate the interrupter mechanism, which guarantees a single shot in single fire mode. This mechanical change was necessary because the MP 40, unlike the MP 41, does not have a single fire mode. The trigger mechanism and the fire selection slide above the trigger guard of the MP 41 are identical to those of the MP 28/2. If you push the fire selection slider to the left, the weapon shoots continuous fire. When the slider is in the right position, you shoot in single fire mode.
The Schmeisser MP 41 is a closing recoil loader with an unlocked ground lock and is set up for the 9 × 19 mm Para cartridge . The weapon is loaded with the same 32-round rod magazines as the MP 40. However, the magazines are labeled with "MP 41". The aiming device is a folding visor that can be adjusted for a distance of 100 or 200 meters. The muzzle velocity is 365 meters per second, the maximum operational range 200 meters. The MP 41 is said to be better in use than the MP 40, although the basic handling, operation and structure of the weapons are very similar. This is due to the wooden butt of the weapon, which makes shooting with the MP 41 more pleasant and easier. Therefore the MP 41, together with the Beretta M1938 and the Suomi M-31 , can be counted among the best submachine guns of the Second World War.
The total number of MP 41s is unknown. There are known examples with a higher serial number than 26,700.
literature
- Günter Wollert, Reiner Lidschun: Infantry weapons yesterday . (1918-1945). In: Illustrated encyclopedia of infantry weapons from around the world . 3. Edition. tape 1 + 2 . Brandenburgisches Verlagshaus, Berlin 1998, ISBN 3-89488-036-8 , weapons, p. 148-149 .
Web links
- Ian McCollum: Schmeisser MP 41 (video about the MP 41, last accessed on October 29, 2019)
- Maxim Popenker: MP.41 Schmeisser. In: Modern Firearms. modernfirearms.net, accessed October 29, 2019 .