The MP18 was a submachine gun used by the German Army during World War I. Produced from 1916 to 1945, it and its derivatives were also later used in World War II. A submachine gun is a firearm which combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the ammunition of a pistol, and is between the two in weight and size. ... The word German can mean: From or related to Germany or its predecessor states - see also the German language Germanic tribes Holy Roman Empire (843-1806) German Confederation (1815-1866) North German Confederation (1867 - 1871) Germany, the modern nation-state founded in 1871 When used to denote a person, Germans... A nations army is its military, or more specifically, all of its land forces. ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ...

History

In 1915 the German Rifle Testing Commission at Spandau decided to develop a new weapon for trench fighting. Originally intending to modify an existing weapon, technical issues made this impractical so the Commission determined that a completely new kind of weapon was needed. Hugo Schmeisser eventually designed a weapon to fulfill the requirements. This weapon was designated Maschinenpistole 18.I (MP18). The MP18 was a solid weapon, for it was a soundly engineered piece of equipment with near commercial grade fittings. The MP18 had a well machined walnut butt stock, the blow back mechanism was made of the finest materials, and the breech block was well machined. Produced by Bergmann, it served in the later part of the war. It was used by the German police force after the end of the war. 1915 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... A ditch with water can be used for drainage and irrigation. ...

The MP28.II was an improved version of the MP18, used by the German police and by SS units. A version of this weapon was also made in Switzerland known as the MP34. SS or ss or Ss may be: The Schutzstaffel, a Nazi paramilitary force Steamship (SS) (ship prefix) The United States Secret Service A submarine not powered by nuclear energy (SS) (United States Navy designator), see SSN A Soviet/Russian surface-to-surface missile, as listed by NATO reporting name Shortstop... The Swiss Confederation or Switzerland is a landlocked federal state in Europe, with neighbours Germany, France, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein. ...

Operation

The MP18 could use both a box and snail drum magazine. The MP18.I could only fire full automatic fire, while with the MP28.II, this was changed to either single shot or automatic fire.

Service

The MP18 would prove to be an excellent weapon. Its basic design would influence later submachine gun designs, and copies of it were made in several countries. The open bolt design left one problem: if the butt was given a hard knock while the gun was cocked and loaded, it would fire.

Specifications

• Caliber: 9x19 mm
• Length: 815 mm
• Length of barrel: 200 mm (7.8 in)
• Mass empty: 4.18 kg
• Capacity: 20, 30, 50 round magazine
• Rate of fire, cyclic: 450-500 rpm
• Muzzle velocity: 380 m/s (1247 ft/s)

ball and hollowpoint 9mm Luger rounds are popular handgun ammunition. ...

External links

• Historic Arms (http://www.cruffler.com/historic-july00.html)