MP40 Maschinenpistole 40 – Inert Replica

The MP40 Maschinenpistole 40 is one of the most recognizable German small arms of the Second World War and represents an important stage in the development of European submachine guns during the late 1930s and early 1940s.

This full-size inert replica reproduces the distinctive configuration of the MP40 and is manufactured predominantly from metal, with black synthetic components, a folding metal stock, removable magazine and adjustable leather sling.

The bolt and trigger can be operated to simulate some of the mechanical actions of the historical weapon. The magazine can also be removed and reinserted. These are decorative mechanical functions only: the replica was manufactured from the outset as a non-firing collector's item.

The historical MP40 evolved directly from the earlier MP38, developed at ERMA in Erfurt with the important involvement of Heinrich Vollmer.

The Model 1940 was designed particularly around the requirements of simplified mass production. Greater use of stamped and pressed sheet-steel components reduced the need for expensive machining operations and allowed individual components to be manufactured by numerous subcontractors.

The original MP40 was an open-bolt, blowback-operated submachine gun chambered for 9 × 19 mm Parabellumammunition.

It fed from a detachable 32-round box magazine and fired in fully automatic mode only, with a relatively moderate cyclic rate of approximately 500-550 rounds per minute.

One of its most distinctive features was the folding metal shoulder stock, which substantially reduced the overall length of the weapon and made it particularly practical where compact dimensions were required.

MP40s were consequently issued to personnel including mechanized infantry, vehicle crews, paratroopers and other troops requiring a compact automatic weapon.

The historical weapon's dark grip and fore-end components employed contemporary synthetic materials rather than traditional wooden furniture, contributing significantly to its distinctive appearance.

Principal manufacturers included ERMA Werke of Erfurt, C.G. Haenel of Suhl and Steyr-Daimler-Puch of Steyr, while numerous subcontractors supplied individual stamped components and assemblies.

This production system resulted in the wide variety of factory and inspection markings encountered on surviving examples. Well-known manufacturer codes include ayf for ERMA, fxo for Haenel and bnz for Steyr.

The MP40 remained in large-scale production through much of the Second World War and became one of the German submachine guns most closely associated with the conflict.

Captured examples also remained in use after 1945 with several armed forces, extending the operational life of the design well beyond the end of the war.

A particularly interesting historical detail concerns the nickname “Schmeisser”. Allied soldiers frequently used this name for the MP40, although Hugo Schmeisser did not design the weapon. Development of the MP38/40 was primarily associated with ERMA and Heinrich Vollmer. The incorrect nickname nevertheless became so widespread that it remains familiar today.

Product specifications

• Full-size inert replica

• Predominantly metal construction

• Black synthetic components

• Movable bolt

• Operable trigger

• Removable magazine

• Folding metal stock

• Adjustable leather sling

• Length: 64 cm

• Weight: 3.66 kg