Madsen Model 1945: A Rather Unusual SMG

Published on March 9, 2026
Duration: 13:51

This review of the Madsen Model 1945 submachine gun, presented by Ian McCollum of Forgotten Weapons from the Springfield Armory National Historic Site, highlights its unique design and historical context. The firearm is noted for its quality construction, pistol-like reciprocating slide, and use of Suomi magazines. Despite its advanced features for the time, its complexity and cost led to commercial failure, making it an extremely rare collector's item.

Quick Summary

The Madsen Model 1945 is a rare, hammer-fired submachine gun known for its high-quality, albeit complex and expensive, design. It fires from an open bolt, uses 50-round Suomi magazines, and features an M1 Garand-style safety. Its complexity led to commercial failure, making it a highly sought-after collector's item.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction & Location
  2. 00:15Madsen Model 1945 Overview
  3. 00:30Historical Context
  4. 00:50Post-War Development Need
  5. 01:15Unusual Design & Aesthetics
  6. 01:38Functionality: Automatic Pistol-like Slide
  7. 02:06Physical Characteristics & Magazine
  8. 02:39Stock Options & Ergonomics
  9. 03:03Sights
  10. 03:20Controls (Magazine Release, Safety)
  11. 03:49Operating System & Firing Mechanism
  12. 04:43Disassembly Attempt & Safety Feature
  13. 06:54Further Disassembly Challenges
  14. 07:59Reference Book & Disassembly Difficulty
  15. 09:03Commercial Failure & Rarity
  16. 09:54Comparison to Madsen M1946/1950
  17. 10:19Rarity & Springfield Armory Access
  18. 10:36Springfield Armory Museum Recommendation
  19. 10:59Forgotten Weapons Merch Promotion

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the historical context behind the Madsen Model 1945 submachine gun?

During WWII, Madsen produced Finnish Suomi SMGs under license. Post-war, they anticipated losing this license and developed the Model 1945 as their proprietary submachine gun, aiming for a high-quality, in-house design.

What are the key design features of the Madsen Model 1945?

The Model 1945 features a pistol-like reciprocating slide, fires from an open bolt, uses 50-round Suomi quad-stack magazines, and has a hammer-fired system with an unconventional pivot mechanism. It also includes an M1 Garand-style safety.

Why was the Madsen Model 1945 considered a commercial failure?

The Model 1945 was expensive and complex to manufacture, making it uncompetitive in the post-WWII market dominated by cheaper, simpler stamped submachine guns. It saw limited sales to Mexico and El Salvador.

What makes the Madsen Model 1945 so rare?

The firearm's commercial failure and limited production numbers contribute to its extreme rarity. Ian McCollum notes he has only encountered this single example in his extensive experience.

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