posted 10-16-2000 05:05 PM
Hi Lou, Hope the following helps, apologies if I'm wrong on anything, most of this is off the top of my head.
I’ll make corrections later, if needed.
The MP28 was an improved model of the 9mm Bergmann/ Schmeisser MP18, that was used by German storm troops in close quarter trench fighting in the latter part of WW1.
The MP18, was the first handheld portable smg, but not the first smg.. The Italian Villa Perosa had been produced in 1916, but was comprised of two barrels and two magazines and was designed to be fired from a bicycle. It is believed that the MP18, influenced Gen. John Thompson in the development of his 'trench broom' which would lead to the Thompson 1919 and 1921 series.
The MP28 was a selective fire weapon, unlike the MP18 which was full auto only. To change the fire setting you pushed a crossbolt from left to right and vice versa near the trigger guard.
The other main change was the introduction of a single cloumn feed magazine to replace the Parabellum PO8 Luger snail drum magazine used on the MP18. The box type of magazine went onto be used on the MP38 and MP40 series of SMG's. It requires a loading tool to fill this tpe of mag.
The MP28 was predominatly used by German police, this was to get by the rules on German re-armenant set down by the Versailles treaty.
Bergmann's were used in the Spanish Civil war and in political fighting in South America in the '30's.
They were produced from 1928 – 1938.
The MP28 was copied by the British in the opening of WW2, prior to the development of the Sten. It appeared in a modified form as the Lanchester.
(I know for a fact that Sportsman's Guide had DEWAT Lanchester's over the past few years, they look pretty similar, only a real gun nut could tell them apart, the Lanchester has a Enfield stock.)
Just for fun, MP28's were used by the 'Brother of the Cruciform Sword' in 'Indiana Jones & The Last Crusade'.
With regards to making one...
I think the woodwork on the Bergmann series was made from cut down Mauser 98 stocks, so a good start would be to find a cheapo stock from which to start from..
Like most first gen SMG's the receiver/barrel sleeve is effectively a piece of perforated tube.
It's always nice to have a real mag if you can get one an MP38/40 or Vigeron 32 round mag would be great.
If you can’t a 50 round Lanchester mag or a Sten 32 round mag although not ribbed like their German counterparts would be better than a lump of wood or plastic.
Has the action got to work? You could always get a Sten parts set and utilise the sear, trigger and bolt components, just so that the bolt could be drawn back and released.
Calibre: 9mm Luger (Parabellum), also produced in 7.65mm, 7.63mm and .45ACP
Length: 32 inches, 812mm
Barrel: 7.80 inches, 200mm
Magazine Capacity: First model 20 rounds, later models 32 and 50 rounds.
Get a copy of ‘The World’s Submachine Guns Vol’ by T.B. Nelson, International Small Arms Publishers. This book has ALL the pics and info you will want on the MP28 and other SMG’s up to the late ‘60’s.
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Red Harvest
"I must say that I find television very educational. The minute somebody turns it on, I go to the library and read a book."
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- Groucho Marx
posted 10-16-2000 01:20 AM
