MP 18
The first operational submachine gun in history: designed by Hugo Schmeisser for German stormtroopers in World War I, chambered in 9×19 mm Parabellum and fed by the 32-round Trommelmagazin 08 snail drum.
MP 18
Community
Data trust
- Reliability
- Unverified
- Sources
- Sources pending review
Identity
- Designation
- MP 18
- Alias
- Maschinenpistole 18/I
- Manufacturer
- Theodor Bergmann Waffenbau
- Country
- Germany
- Year
- 1918
- Category
- Submachine gun
- Status
- Historic
Ballistics
- Caliber
- 9×19 mm Parabellum
- Muzzle velocity
- 380 m/s
- Rate of fire
- ~500 rpm
- Effective range
- 100 m
- Maximum range
- 200 m
Dimensions
- Barrel length
- 200 mm
- Overall length
- 832 mm
- Empty weight
- 4.18 kg
Mechanics
- Operating system
- Massa battente (blowback) a otturatore aperto
- Bolt / action
- Automatica, otturatore aperto
Feed
- System
- Caricatore a chiocciola Trommelmagazin 08 (poi caricatore retto)
- Standard capacity
- 32 rounds
Fire modes
Historical profile
Development
The MP 18, designed by Hugo Schmeisser and produced by Theodor Bergmann Waffenbau, is universally recognized as the first true operational submachine gun in history.
Developed for the Imperial German Army in 1917-1918, it was issued to 'Sturmtruppen' assault units for the Kaiserschlacht offensive in spring 1918.
Design
Chambered in 9×19 mm Parabellum, it operates on open-bolt blowback. It originally used the 32-round 'Trommelmagazin 08' snail-drum magazine from the Luger LP 08.
It fires only in fully automatic mode at approximately 500 rpm. The barrel is jacketed in perforated sheet metal to dissipate heat.
Operational service
Although entering service in the final months of World War I, it demonstrated the tactical value of close-range automatic fire in the trenches.
The Treaty of Versailles forbade German production, but Schmeisser continued development, giving rise to the family of submachine guns used in World War II (MP 28, MP 34, up to the MP 40).
Variants
Main users
Impero Tedesco · Germania (Reichswehr, Polizei) · Cina (varianti su licenza)
Key components
- ●Stock — Shoulder rest.
- ●Receiver — Weapon body with internal mechanisms.
- ●Grip — Primary grip.
- ●Magazine — Cartridge feed.
- ●Barrel — Guides the projectile.
Community
Recent reviews
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