Pistols and Submachine Guns

Walther P38 

The P38 replaced the P08 Luger as the main German sidearm. It was extremely reliable, accurate and was simpler to manufacture and therefore less expensive than the Luger.

It utilised the same 9mm parabellum round and had an 8 round box magazine.

Weight: 800g

Length: 216mm

Cartridge: 9x19mm

Radom VIS wz 35

This was a Polish pistol that fell into German hands in 1939 after which production continued. It combined the features of the Browning Hi-Power and Colt1911A1 and therefore looks virtually identical, having an 8 round magazine. It was a highly capable weapon that was first produced in 1936.

Weight: 1.025kg

Length: 205mm

Cartridge: 9x19mm

Browning M1910/1922

                  M1922 model

This weapon was developed early in the 20th century by John Browning for the Belgian FN company. It was manufactured in two calibres - 7.65 and 9mm. The M1910 was modified in 1922 by the addition of a larger magazine, the smaller calibre having 9 rounds and the larger 8 rounds. 

During 1940 large numbers of these weapons fell into German hands. The M1910 had the distinction of being the weapon that began WW1, being used in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Production of this weapon carried on until the 1980s.

Weight: 590g                                  700g

Length: 153mm                              178mm

Cartridge: 7.65x17mm                  9x17mm

MP34 (Steyr-Solothurn S1-100)  

This weapon is similar to the MP28 Bergmann which stemmed from the MP18 that saw service towards the end of WW1.

It has a wooden stock and perforated barrel jacket with a 32 round box magazine to the left hand side. The MP34 is very well manufactured and often nicknamed the ‘Rolls Royce of machine guns’. The weapon has rifle type sights, provision for a bayonet to the right hand side of the barrel (a throwback to WW1) and can fire single shots or full auto.

Weight: 4.4kg

Length: 815mm

Cartridge: 9x19mm

Rate of fire: 500 rpm

Effective range: 300m

MP40 

The MP40 was a simplified version of the pre-war MP38 ‘machine-pistol. This was cheaper to produce due to its stamped metal parts.

The MP40 has a folding metal stock and a 32 round box magazine. It fired the same round as the P38 pistol. It was a reliable and popular weapon with its users.

In many war films the majority of German soldiers are seen carrying the MP40. This is incorrect and the weapons were normally only issued to platoon and section leaders.

Weight: 3.97kg

Length: 630mm (stock folded)

Cartridge: 9x19mm

Rate of fire: 500 rpm

Effective range: 100m