MP 40 Submachine Gun
Designed by Heinrich Vollmer at Erma Werke, the fully automatic Maschinenpistole (machine pistol) 40 was an improvement on the MP 38, which had suffered serious problems with misfiring.
The MP 40 was adopted in 1940 and was usually allocated to German unit leaders. It was known as a reliable weapon in the field, and was often prized by Allied soldiers.
Constructed with stamped sheet metal, the MP 40 was a very economical weapon to manufacture. Approximately one million MP 40s were produced between 1940 and 1944.
The MP 40 is often inaccurately referred to as a "Schmeisser" even though weapons designer Hugh Schmeisser had nothing to do with its design or manufacture.
Notes
MP 40s can be seen during the Battle of Ramelle. 15 MP 40's were used by the Saving Private Ryan production team.
