Bechowiec: Polish Teenager Makes a Resistance SMG

Published on January 25, 2023
Duration: 11:43

This guide details the disassembly and reassembly of the rare Bechowiec SMG, a WWII-era Polish resistance weapon. It covers removing the recoil spring, barrel, and fire control group, emphasizing the handmade nature of its components, including the magazine. The process requires careful attention to the unique hammer-fired, closed-bolt mechanism and the auto-sear.

Quick Summary

The Bechowiec (Beha) SMG was a unique World War II submachine gun designed and built by Polish teenager Henryk Strąpoć for the resistance. It features a simple blowback, closed-bolt, hammer-fired action, often using repurposed rifle barrels and entirely handmade components, including its magazines.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to the Bechowiec SMG
  2. 00:38Designer Background: Henryk Strąpoć
  3. 01:52Design Philosophy and Action
  4. 02:40External Features and Markings
  5. 03:43Operation and Selective Fire
  6. 05:14Repurposed Barrels
  7. 05:56Internal Fire Control Group
  8. 08:22Handmade Magazines
  9. 09:18Production and Legacy

Frequently Asked Questions

Who designed and manufactured the Bechowiec SMG?

The Bechowiec (Beha) SMG was designed and manufactured by Henryk Strąpoć, a Polish teenager, during World War II for the Polish resistance. He was a self-taught gunsmith who built it in a village blacksmith shop.

What caliber and action does the Bechowiec SMG use?

The Bechowiec SMG is chambered in 9mm Parabellum (and later 7.62x25mm Tokarev) and operates via a simple blowback, closed-bolt, hammer-fired mechanism, unusual for SMGs of its time.

How were barrels made for the Bechowiec SMG?

Barrels were typically repurposed from WWI-era Gewehr 98 or Mosin-Nagant rifle barrels. Strąpoć would modify them to 9mm, often obtaining two SMG barrels from a single rifle barrel.

What is unique about the Bechowiec SMG's construction?

Virtually every part of the Bechowiec SMG, including the magazine, was handmade by Henryk Strąpoć. This included manually coiling the magazine springs and crafting the internal fire control group.

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