Schmeisser MK-36,II - The Mechanics of the MP40

The Erma EMP36 is a rare precursor to the MP38/MP40, showcasing early design elements like an underfolding stock and muzzle hook. Its complex bolt assembly and telescopic mainspring highlight its prototype nature, with many features later simplified for mass production. Only two examples are known to exist, making it a critical piece of firearms history.

This review delves into the rare Schmeisser MK-36,II, highlighting its unique mechanical features and historical connection to the MP40. Key insights include its unusual left-side bolt handle, right-side ejection, and a novel magazine safety mechanism that prevents bolt opening without a magazine. The separated firing pin design is noted as a precursor to the MP38's mechanics, showcasing Schmeisser's innovative contributions to submachine gun development.

This video is a book review of a comprehensive three-volume series on the ERMA Erfurter Maschinenfabrik, covering its history from 1924 to 2003. The review is presented by Forgotten Weapons, a channel known for its in-depth look at historical firearms. The description highlights specific firearms that ERMA produced or were associated with, including the Mauser K98k and the MP40, indicating the historical significance and likely focus on these iconic weapons.

The Schmeisser MP41 is a unique hybrid submachine gun, merging the MP40's upper receiver with the MP28's lower receiver and wooden stock. Unlike the full-auto-only MP40, the MP41 features a semi-automatic capability due to a specific disconnector track on its bolt. This design allows for more controlled fire, differentiating it from its predecessors.

The Zagi M-91 is a Croatian submachine gun developed during the War of Independence, blending MP40 aesthetics with Sten Gun mechanics. It features a 9mm Parabellum chambering and uses MP40 magazines, with a rate of fire between 600-700 rpm. Early prototypes differed significantly from production models, showcasing a transition from metal to polymer components and fixed to telescoping stocks.

The EROP 1954 was a French prototype submachine gun developed in the mid-1950s, featuring a unique square tube receiver and striker-fired bolt. Despite using modified MP40 magazines and having features like a grip safety and bolt hold-open, it failed French military trials due to a high rate of fire, poor accuracy, and reliability issues. Only a few prototypes exist, primarily in police collections.

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.