I Have This Old Gun - German MP18 & MP28

Published on September 23, 2015
Duration: 6:29

This video provides a historical and technical overview of the German MP18 and MP28 submachine guns. It details their development, initial use by German stormtroopers in WWI, and subsequent evolution into the MP28 with selective fire capabilities. The discussion highlights the impact of these weapons on subsequent submachine gun design globally.

Quick Summary

The German MP18, designed by Hugo Schmeiser, was the first submachine gun tactically employed in combat, first seeing use in August 1918. It was a portable, shoulder-stocked machine pistol. Its successor, the MP28, introduced selective fire capabilities and became a template for future submachine gun designs.

Chapters

  1. 00:11Introduction to the MP18
  2. 00:25Nomenclature: Machine Pistol
  3. 00:41Hugo Schmeiser's Design: MP18-1
  4. 01:04Luger Snail Drum Magazine
  5. 01:34MP18 Construction and Weight
  6. 01:44Post-War Stick Magazine Conversions
  7. 02:00German Rifle Commission Order
  8. 02:42First Tactical Submachine Gun Use
  9. 03:08Stormtrooper Tactics and Blitzkrieg
  10. 03:40Global Influence and Production
  11. 04:11Bergmann/Schmeiser System Post-War
  12. 05:00Circumventing Bans: Belgium
  13. 05:07Introduction to the MP28
  14. 05:20MP28 Weight and Recoil Reduction
  15. 05:40MP28 vs. MP18: Internal Differences
  16. 05:59Selective Fire on the MP28
  17. 06:15Magazine Compatibility
  18. 06:18Template for Future Designs

Frequently Asked Questions

When was the German MP18 submachine gun first used?

The German MP18 submachine gun was first used by German infantry in August 1918. It was developed to provide portable firepower during World War I and is considered the first submachine gun used tactically in combat.

Who designed the MP18-1, considered the first effective submachine gun?

Hugo Schmeiser designed the MP18-1, which was the first submachine gun to be effectively employed as such. The '-1' designation indicated it was the first modification of his design.

What were the main differences between the MP18 and the later MP28?

While visually similar, the MP28 introduced selective fire, allowing for both semi-automatic and full-automatic modes, unlike the MP18 which was full-automatic only. Internally, the MP28 featured further developed ideas from Schmeiser.

What type of magazines did the early MP18 use, and what were their drawbacks?

Early MP18 models used a Luger snail drum magazine. While readily available, it was considered cumbersome, difficult to hold properly, and made the entire gun list to one side.

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