German weapons engineer Hugo Schmeisser lent his talents to the design of the famous MP18 (Maschinenpistole 1918) - the first mass-produced submachine in military history - that appeared in the latter half of World War 1 (1914-1918). As Germany began the process of rearming heading into World War 2 (1939-1940), German submachine gun development primarily evolved along the lines of the "MP36" of 1936 which, in turn, gave rise to the MP38 and - finally - the wartime MP40 model. While Schmeisser designed the MP18, he only held a patent to the MP40s magazine but, nonetheless, the weapon was identified by some as the "Schmeisser".
Schmeisser did develop an MP40 offshoot that was known as the "MP41". This was essentially the same weapon as the MP40 save for a wooden rifle-style stock used in place of the original's metal body and folding metal stock. A selector allowed for varied rates-of-fire and was largely based on that as seen on the earlier MP28 submachine gun. The rifle stock was of a single piece, making up the shoulder support, primary grip handle, and lower receiver. The trigger unit was installed under the wood body in the usual way. Into the top, carved-out section of the wooden body was the metal portion of the MP40's receiver. The forward section of the gun was also taken from the MP40 including the long, straight magazine that doubled as a forward vertical grip. By and large, the form and function of the MP41 remained the same as in the MP40 - it chambered the ubiquitous German 9x19mm Parabellum pistol cartridge and was fed by way of a 32-round detachable box magazine.
Unlike the MP40, which was adopted for wide scale, frontline use by German Army forces, the MP41 resided only as a specialist unit weapon - deployed within the ranks of the SS (the Nazi paramilitary force) and special local police forces. Manufacture of the guns were limited from the start and led to low production figures as the war progressed - it was only exported to Romania - and never reached the popularity or service numbers of the competing MP40 series.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
Overall Length
835 mm 32.87 in
Barrel Length
250 mm 9.84 in
Empty Wgt
8.82 lb 4.00 kg
Sights
Iron Front and Rear
Action
Straight Blowback; Open-Bolt; Select-Fire
Blowback Operation
Gas pressure from the rearward movement of the ignited cartridge case provides the needed bolt movement, ejecting the spent case and stripping a fresh case from the magazine.
(Material presented above is for historical and entertainment value and should not be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation - always consult official manufacturer sources for such information)
Caliber(s)*
9x19mm Parabellum
Sample Visuals**
Rounds / Feed
32-Round Detachable Box Magazine
*May not represent an exhuastive list; calibers are model-specific dependent, always consult official manufacturer sources. **Graphics not to actual size; not all cartridges may be represented visually; graphics intended for general reference only.
Max Eff.Range
492 ft (150 m | 164 yd)
Rate-of-Fire
525 rds/min
Muzzle Velocity
1,315 ft/sec (401 m/sec)
MP41 - Base Series Designation
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.
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Nazi Germany; Romania
