George Hyde's First Submachine Gun: The Hyde Model 33

Published on March 11, 2018
Duration: 10:55

This entry details the George Hyde Model 33 submachine gun, a rare firearm developed by German-born gunsmith George Hyde. It covers its design influences, unique horizontal magazine system, mechanical operation, and its performance during US military trials in 1939, where it showed promise but faced development challenges. The information is presented with high authority from a recognized expert in historical firearms.

Quick Summary

The Hyde Model 33, developed by George Hyde in 1933, was a submachine gun designed to be simpler and cheaper than the Thompson. It featured a unique horizontal magazine system and showed promise in military mud/dust trials but faced issues with its charging handle and bolt durability, preventing adoption.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to George Hyde and the Model 33
  2. 01:44Military Trials and Performance
  3. 03:32Design and Controls
  4. 04:33Magazine System
  5. 06:43Mechanical Operation and Issues
  6. 08:15Features and Markings
  7. 09:32Specifications and Rarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Hyde Model 33 submachine gun?

The Hyde Model 33 was the first fully developed firearm by German-born gunsmith George Hyde, created in 1933. It was designed to be simpler and cheaper to manufacture than the Thompson Submachine Gun and underwent US military trials in 1939.

What were the key design features of the Hyde Model 33?

The Model 33 featured a simple blowback action, a unique horizontal magazine system, and controls similar to the Thompson. It had a barleycorn front sight and a tangent rear sight graduated to 200 yards. High-capacity magazines were created by brazing standard magazines together.

What issues did the Hyde Model 33 face?

The Model 33 experienced issues with its charging handle bouncing back, potential bolt flange breakage if dry-fired, and problems with magazine springs. These issues contributed to its lack of adoption by the military.

How did the Hyde Model 33 compare to the Thompson Submachine Gun?

In military trials, the Hyde Model 33 outperformed the Thompson in mud and dust tests, and was intended to be cheaper to produce. However, mechanical reliability issues ultimately prevented its widespread adoption.

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