The Added Safety on German Inter-War SMGs

The Vollmer VMP-1930 is a rare German inter-war submachine gun that influenced the later Erma EMP. It featured an open-bolt, blowback action, a progressive trigger for semi/full-auto fire, and a unique telescoping monopod in the front grip. Approximately 400 were produced, primarily for a Bulgarian contract, making examples like this transferable machine gun highly collectible.

The Spanish MP41/44 is a licensed copy of the German Erma EMP, itself derived from Heinrich Vollmer's earlier designs. Key differences from German versions include Spanish markings and a unique safety plunger. Its disassembly method and bolt design significantly influenced the later MP38 and MP40 submachine guns. The firearm features a progressive trigger for controlled semi-automatic and full-automatic fire.

The Erma EMP, designed by Heinrich Vollmer, was a sophisticated interwar submachine gun funded secretly by the German government. Despite treaty restrictions, Vollmer sold the design to Erma, which marketed it internationally in various calibers and configurations. Key features include a vertical front grip, left-side magazine, a unique police safety mechanism, and a progressive trigger for selectable fire modes. Its innovative telescoping recoil spring design was later adopted by the MP40.

This review details the Japanese contract Steyr-Solothurn S1-100 (MP34), a high-quality pre-WWII submachine gun. It highlights its milled receiver, unique stripper clip guide, and select-fire capabilities. The specific Japanese contract model in 7.63 Mauser was acquired due to domestic development challenges.

This video provides a detailed look at the book "Pistolas y Subfusiles de la República Producción de Guerra," a comprehensive 580-page reference on pistols and submachine guns produced in the Republican zone during the Spanish Civil War. While the reviewer's Spanish is limited, they showcase the book's content, highlighting chapters on specific firearms like the Astra 400, Ascaso, Isard, Olot-Fontbernat, Labora, David Schmeisser, and Erma EMP. The video emphasizes the book's extensive photographic content, including detail shots, factory condition images, and period propaganda. It also touches on the general context of Spanish arms manufacturing and ammunition production during the war.

This video from Brownells, Inc. provides an expert overview of iconic German submachine guns from WWI and WWII, presented by representatives from Brownells and the Rock Island Auction Company. It covers historical context, design evolution, and key features of models like the Bergmann MP18, Steyr-Solothurn MP34, Erma EMP, MP40, and the late-war S3008, highlighting their significance in military and police history.

This video details the unique 'French Finger Trap' issue with the MAS-36 rifle's bayonet, where two rifles can become unintentionally locked together. A 1951 French arsenal memorandum identified this problem, proposing a simple modification to the bayonet handle. Drilling a small hole allows a tool, like a firing pin, to depress the internal spring, enabling the separation of locked rifles.

The M134 Minigun is a scaled-down 7.62 NATO rotary cannon, requiring 24V DC power and consuming 1.5 kW. Its high rate of fire (3,000+ RPM) is essential for aircraft engagement windows. The complex delinker mechanism is critical for feeding ammunition, and practical hand-held use is impossible due to weight and recoil. Live fire demonstrates rapid ammunition consumption and the need for indirect aiming.

The H&K G11 is a revolutionary prototype assault rifle designed in the late 20th century, notable for its caseless ammunition and unique rotating drum bolt mechanism. Despite advanced features like a 2000 RPM burst fire rate and integrated optics, its development was ultimately halted by geopolitical shifts and cost concerns.

This video demonstrates the assembly and live-fire of the German 1936 pattern light mortar (L.Gr.W.36). It highlights the mortar's leveling mechanism for accuracy and the difficulty in visually tracking its 50mm projectiles after firing. The content showcases historical military hardware and its operational use.