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The Bergmann MP28/II, or simply MP 28, was a submachine gun used by Germany and other Axis nations during World War II. It was also supplied to other countries during its production.

Description[]

The MP 28 is a post-World War I evolution of the famous MP 18, the world's first practical sub machine gun. Like its predecessor, the MP 28's magazine fed from the left side, and most MP 28/IIs had a 20 or 32 round box magazine. The weapon fired via open bolt blowback operation system.

The MP 28/II was a reliable weapon in combat, liked by many soldiers for its ability to be reloaded from the prone position. It fired approximately 600 rounds per minute and weighed about five kilograms fully loaded.[1] It was fairly accurate and had an effective range of about 152 meters. These characteristics made the MP 28 a very good weapon when caught in close quarters fighting, and it quickly became the preferred submachine gun of many armies, both Axis and Allied. The total length of the weapon was about 82 centimeters and the sights were adjustable for over 1,000 meters.

History[]

The MP 28/II was designed under the supervision of Hugo Schmeisser, developed from the earlier World War I-era MP 18/I submachine gun. When placed into production in 1928, the MP 28 differed from the MP 18's design. It was renovated with new rear sights, a single-shot fire setting, a number of internal changes, extras such as a mountings for a bayonet, and a new box magazine as standard.

It quickly became popular with the Waffen-SS and Gestapo. Although it was used more frequently with German police forces, the MP 28 served with standard fighting units, eastern European Axis counties, and even the Polish Underground. Soviet, British, and American troops also made effective use of captured MP 28s. Some export models were also produced, many of them chambered in other cartridges.

In addition to Germany, this weapon was also produced in Belgium, Spain and elsewhere for export. Other examples ended up in South America and elsewhere in Europe; a single batch chambered for 7.65 mm caliber ammunition was sold to Portugal, for example[2]

The MP28/II was quickly supplanted by newer submachine guns in German service, but it was still used in limited numbers.

After World War II, the submachine gun saw occasional usage by guerrilla forces during Cold War conflicts, such as the Viet Cong and Khmer Rouge.

The Lanchester gun was an English take on the MP 28/II, which was operated by the Royal Navy from World War II through the 1950s, only being withdrawn from service in 1960. [3]

References[]

  1. http://world.guns.ru/smg/de/mp2-ii-schmeisser-e.html
  2. War Machine Magazine. Partwork from Orbis Publishing. Issue 6:Sub-machine guns of WWII - Page 114
  3. http://www.militaryfactory.com/smallarms/detail.asp?smallarms_id=669


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