Liquid_Snake
09-07-2006, 06:03 PM
The MP40 is descended from the MP36, a select fire prototype made of machined steel, of which few examples remain. The MP36 prototype was developed independently by Erma prior to the 1938 request from the German government for a new submachinegun which led to the MP38. The MP 38 was a simplification of the MP36, as the MP40 was later a simplification of the MP38, the differences being in cost-saving alterations, especially the use of more pressed rather than machined parts and an improved safety. The changes resulted from experiences with the several thousand MP38s, (in service since 1939), used during the Invasion of Poland. The changes were incorporated into an intermediate version (MP38/40), and then used in the initial MP40 production version. Just over 1 million would be made of all versions in the course of the war. The designer of the MP38/40 was Heinrich Vollmer.
Though generally reliable, a major weak point of the MP38 and MP40 was its 32-round magazine (a weakness inherited by the British STEN which copied the same design). Unlike the Thompson's double-column, dual-feed magazine, the MP38 and MP40 utilized a 'single-feed' design that narrowed to a single-cartridge width at the feed end of the magazine. This meant that the 9mm cartridges had to overcome friction in order to reach feeding position, and required a loading device to fill the magazine to capacity. The magazine design was also sensitive to dirt and debris. German soldiers were trained to grasp the underside of the weapon or the magazine housing with the supporting hand, not the magazine itself, as variances in production could result in feed jams caused by hand pressure on the magazine.
The MP40 was often called the Schmeisser by the Allies, after weapons designer Hugo Schmeisser. Although the name was evocative, Hugo Schmeisser himself did not design the MP40, but helped with the design of the MP41, which was effectively a MP40 with an old-fashioned wooden rifle stock, and the Sturmgewehr 44. Also, Schmeisser did not work for Erma, but for Haenel. It is impossible to reconstruct, how Schmeisser was honored with this legend, but it must have been inspiring for the soldiers: the German slang-word "Schmeisser" describes someone who bashes or throws something inaccurately, but with high force. But Schmeisser did produce the MP40 magazines and his name was engraved on it so this might be the root of this mistake.
Though generally reliable, a major weak point of the MP38 and MP40 was its 32-round magazine (a weakness inherited by the British STEN which copied the same design). Unlike the Thompson's double-column, dual-feed magazine, the MP38 and MP40 utilized a 'single-feed' design that narrowed to a single-cartridge width at the feed end of the magazine. This meant that the 9mm cartridges had to overcome friction in order to reach feeding position, and required a loading device to fill the magazine to capacity. The magazine design was also sensitive to dirt and debris. German soldiers were trained to grasp the underside of the weapon or the magazine housing with the supporting hand, not the magazine itself, as variances in production could result in feed jams caused by hand pressure on the magazine.
The MP40 was often called the Schmeisser by the Allies, after weapons designer Hugo Schmeisser. Although the name was evocative, Hugo Schmeisser himself did not design the MP40, but helped with the design of the MP41, which was effectively a MP40 with an old-fashioned wooden rifle stock, and the Sturmgewehr 44. Also, Schmeisser did not work for Erma, but for Haenel. It is impossible to reconstruct, how Schmeisser was honored with this legend, but it must have been inspiring for the soldiers: the German slang-word "Schmeisser" describes someone who bashes or throws something inaccurately, but with high force. But Schmeisser did produce the MP40 magazines and his name was engraved on it so this might be the root of this mistake.