MP 40

The MP 40 (Maschinenpistole 40) is a submachine gun chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge. Developed in Nazi Germany, it saw service with the Axis forces during World War II and extensive use post-war globally with various fighting forces. Designed in 1938 by Heinrich Vollmer (with inspiration from its predecessor, the MP 38), it was heavily used by infantrymen (particularly by platoon- and squad-leaders), and by paratroopers, both on the Eastern and Western Fronts as well as by the crews of armoured fighting vehicles. Its advanced and modern features made it a favorite among soldiers and popular in countries from various parts of the world after the war. The Allies often referred to the MP 40 as the "Schmeisser", after the firearms-designer Hugo Schmeisser (1884-1953). In 1917, Schmeisser had designed the MP 18, which was the first mass-produced submachine gun. He did not, however, have anything to do with the design or development of the MP 40, although he held a patent on the magazine. The MP 40's variants included the MP 40/I and the MP 41. Erma Werke produced an estimated 1.1 million MP 40s between 1940 and 1945.