Modern Firearms - Bergmann / Schmeisser MP-18/I submachine gun (original) (raw)

Submachine guns - Introduction
Argentina
FMK-3
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Owen
F1
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Steyr-Solothurn MP.34
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Steyr TMP
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Vigneron M2
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Type 64
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Agram2000
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Zk-383 new
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Sa.23
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Suomi M/31
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Jati-matic
France
MAS-38
MAT-49
Hotchkiss "Universal"
MGD PM-9
Germany
MP.18,I Schmeisser
MP.28,II Schmeisser
MP.35 Bergmann
EMP.35 Erma
MP.38 MP.40
MP.41 Schmeisser
Walther MPL & MPK
HK MP5
HK MP5K
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39M 43M new
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UZI / MiniUzi / MicroUzi
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Beretta M1938
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Spectre M4
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Minebea M-9
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PM-63
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PPD-40
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PP-19-01 Vityaz
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PP-91 Kedr / Klin
PP-93
PP-90M1
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ST Kinetics CPW new
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BXP
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Daewoo K7
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Star Z-62 Z-70B
Star Z-84
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Carl Gustaf M/45
CBJ-MS PDW
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SIG MKMS MKPS new
SIG P-48 MP-310 new
Steyr-Solothurn S1-100
W+F Lmg.-Pist 41/44 new
B+T MP 9
Ukraine
Elf
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TASCO 7ET9 7ET10
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MCEM-2
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USA
Thompson
Reising M50 M55
M3 and M3A1
UD M42
Ingram M6
Ingram MAC M10 and M11
Colt mod.635
American-180
Ares FMG
Smith&Wesson; M76
Ruger MP9
Calico SMG
Kriss Super V™
Vietnam
K-50M new
Yugoslavia (ex)
M49
M56
MGV-176

all texts and some pictures
copyright © 1999-2008
by Max R. Popenker
and can not be used without author's permission

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Bergmann / Schmeisser MP-18/I submachine gun (Germany)

Bergmann / Schmeisser MP-18/I submachine gun, with 32-round snail drum magazine

Modified Bergmann / Schmeisser MP-18/I submachine gun, with box-type 20-round magazine

Top view on the original magazine housing and snail drum of MP-18/I

The Maschinen Pistole Modell 1918, or M.P.18.I in short, was developed by Louis Schmeisser (father of another famous gun designer Hugo Schmeisser). The weapon was developed in 1917 on request from Imperial German Army, which required a compact, yet highly effective weapon for short-range fighting in trenches of World War One. Working at the factory of Theodor Bergmann, Schmeisser produced a simple and effective automatic weapon, which fired standard pistol cartridge, P.Patr.08, better known as 9x19 Luger. Early prototypes were tested with double-row box magazines which held 20 rounds, but Army insisted on adoption of a 32-round snail-drum magazine (TM08), originally produced for Luger's P08 "Parabellum" pistol. This awkward magazine was probably the main drawback of entire system, as it was awkward to carry, load and manipulate, and quite unreliable in combat. Nevertheless, at least 30 000 of M.P.18.I submachine guns were built before Armistice in 1918, and at least 10 000 of those reached German troops at the fronts. Soon after the end of WW1, Schmeisser converted his weapon back to more convenient and reliable box magazines, and this weapon saw limited use by police of Weimar republic.
It must be noted that M.P.18.I is considered as the world's first practical submachine gun, and it set the pattern for most weapons of its class.

M.P.18.I submachine gun is blowback operated, full automatic only weapon that fired from open bolt. Tubular receiver was attached to the front of the wooden stock, and could be pivoted barrel down for maintenance and disassembly. Magazine is inserted from the left side; early guns had magazine housing sloped back to accommodate TM08 drums; post-war models had straight magazine housings for box magazines. Post-war weapons also accommodated a manual safety, located on the left side of receiver, behind magazine housing. Standard sights consisted of blade front and flip-up rear sight, marked for 100 and 200 meters.

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