MP 40

The MP 40 (Maschinenpistole 40) is a <a href="/facts/Submachine_gun/MDvIABEJ">submachine gun</a> chambered for the <a href="/facts/9%C3%9719mm_Parabellum/m8sP9Hz9">9×19mm Parabellum</a> cartridge. Developed in <a href="/facts/Nazi_Germany/8kRbqRpo">Nazi Germany</a>, it saw extensive service in the <a href="/facts/Axis_powers/Q3z1D8R9"> Axis</a> forces during <a href="/facts/World_War_II/2efV5L1U">World War II</a>.
Designed in 1938 by <a href="/facts/Heinrich_Vollmer/3WbA9oVe">Heinrich Vollmer</a> with inspiration from its predecessor the <a href="/facts/MP_38/dzzvJHPW">MP 38</a> [de], it was heavily used by <a href="/facts/Infantry/QAHDDQtk">infantrymen</a> (particularly by <a href="/facts/Platoon/DdNeljkg">platoon</a>- and <a href="/facts/Squad/XU2uE66j">squad</a>-leaders), and by <a href="/facts/Fallschirmj%C3%A4ger_(World_War_II)/fYUKbA5V">paratroopers</a>, on the <a href="/facts/Eastern_Front_(World_War_II)/W05zyTMj">Eastern</a> and <a href="/facts/Western_Front_(World_War_II)/ax9PCQyF">Western</a> Fronts as well as by the crews of <a href="/facts/Armoured_fighting_vehicle/RGHj9Y1r">armoured fighting vehicles</a>. 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 <a href="/facts/Allies_of_WWII/YzCdtjDY"> Allies</a> often referred to the MP 40 as the "Schmeisser", after the firearms-designer <a href="/facts/Hugo_Schmeisser/jb7CNltm">Hugo Schmeisser</a> (1884-1953). In 1917 Schmeisser had designed the <a href="/facts/MP_18/htdF5IS9">MP 18</a>, 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. <a href="/facts/Erma_Werke/cIv3lHAt">Erma Werke</a> produced an estimated 1.1 million MP 40s between 1940 and 1945.

MP 40 open-in-new

MP 40