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KG_Kharkov
04-13-2006, 01:28 PM
OK, some of you know that I interview veterans and register them with the WW2 Memorial in Washington, D.C. I enjoy talking with them since I'm a history wonk. I'm not a weapons wonk, however, and I was recently talking to a combat pioneer who carried a captured German "machinepistol" that fired a 38 round clip. What would that gun be?

KG_Panzerschreck
04-13-2006, 03:04 PM
Hey John, thats a good question. I know MP-38's/40's had a 32 round clip. I looked up the other german SMG's that were used in the war and none has a 38 round capacity. I also know that because of jamming issues, an unofficial policy emerged for ammo load outs in early MP-38 clips to reduce the strain on the clip spring thereby reducing the risk of jams at inoppertune times and it was reccommended to reduce the clip capacity to 28 to 30 rounds. Maybe thats what he was thinking of?

KG_Panzerschreck
04-13-2006, 03:36 PM
A little more info for you.

Bergmann MP-28 had 20 & 30 round box mags, and a 50 round drum.

Bergmann MP-35 had a 32 round box mag.

MP-44 or STG-44{Mainly produced by Hanel} had a 30 round curved box mag.

Hope this helps. :beerglass

KG_Panzerschreck
04-13-2006, 03:51 PM
Some visual aides -

MP-28
http://kg.frozenwebhost.com/Panzerschreck/MP-28.jpg

MP-35
http://kg.frozenwebhost.com/Panzerschreck/MP-35.jpg

MP-40
http://kg.frozenwebhost.com/Panzerschreck/MP-40.jpg

MP-44, STG-44
http://kg.frozenwebhost.com/Panzerschreck/MP-44.jpg

KG_Kharkov
04-13-2006, 04:32 PM
Schreck, thank you very much for looking at this. I figured one of you guys would know. As with some veteran recollections from 60 years ago, sometimes the details can be slightly off. I was very curious. He said he carried it for a while and loved it (it was had more firepower than his M1) but that he got rid of it once he started getting combat assignments where his risk of capture was high. He was worried about being executed by the Germans if they captured him with it. I think I'll print the photos and ask him.

He was in the 63rd infantry and fought the 17th SS Panzer Division in one battle. A very cool guy to talk to who saw a lot of combat including the Sherman next to him being destroyed by an 88mm AT gun.

KG_Panzerschreck
04-13-2006, 09:27 PM
Seeing how he fought against the 17th SS, that could make sense if he was using an MP-28 or MP-35 as the SS were the only ones using them. BTW, in the photo above, the MP-28 loaded its clip from the bottom, as opposed to the MP-35 which loaded its clips from the left hand side of the reciever. That may help him remember if he cant decide between the 2, if in fact it was one of the early models.

As always im glad to help my KG brothers any way i can!:beerglass

KG_ThorsHammer
04-14-2006, 10:11 AM
He talks about it having more firepower than his m1..sounds like he is using an assault rifle, despite the fact he calls it a machinepistol. I'm curious to know what it was now! Perhaps showing him some pictures will solve the mystery.

KG_Panzerschreck
04-14-2006, 01:11 PM
His definition of "More Firepower" could be in referal to the rate of fire or short ranged burst capability or even just the fact that it could hold 3 times the ammo as an M1 in its clips as compared to the M1. Id much rather have a SMG than an M1 at short range.

The MP-28 was an extremely fine weapon that machined to very high standards. It was by far the best made and most reliable SMG used in WW2. The only reason it wasnt used on a larger scale was the cost per unit was too high. I remember reading somewhere that you could make 10 MP-38's/40's for one MP-28.

KG_Panzerschreck
05-25-2006, 11:01 PM
Hey John, did you show your old friend the photos yet? Im very curious to know which weapon it was. Inquiring minds want to know! lol. :salute[1]: