Record 517/959 |
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Description
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| A: Machine-gun, B and C: clips, D: sling. Folding butt stock, two ammunition clips and leather sling. One side of hand grip is phenolic resin filled with long-fiber paper pulp, molded under pressure and includes hatch marks to improve gripping surface, other side is wood (probably an in-the-field replacement) with hand incised hatches. Serial number 4249b, model number MP 40. Breech marked: "MP 40/ayf/41" and "Wa 165 4249b". Barrel marked: 4249/b/280/NaA44 (or Na444)", "280 4249b", "NURAL", "41/illegible/COS". Forward of trigger guard marked: "4 24 9/b". Clips marked: "M.P.38u.40", "W8A367", "98E 41", "WaA815". Maschinen Pistole 40. Designated the MP 38 by the Germans. Manufactured at Erfurter Maschinenfabrik (Erma Werke). Used a simple unlocked blowback mechanism using 9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm) pistol cartridge, firing from an open bolt position; 9" long barrel. It had a cyclic rate of 500 rpm. MP 40 introduced in 1940 using sheet metal stampings and spot welding to decrease production time and materials, and was largely the same as MP 38 except for minor changes to various safety catches, ejector, and receiver. The gun was called MP 38/40. Additionally, Haenel Waffenfabrik and Steyr in Austria began producing the MP 40. Many subcontractors were used for other parts, such as magazines. Production continued through the end of the war in 1945, but production was significantly decreased in 1944 when the Germans began manufacture of other, more modern weapons. Total production of the MP40 was 705,400. The MP 38/40 was the first submachine gun to be manufactured with both metal and plastic (phenolic resin) parts and the first to have a folding stock. The gun used a single-column vertical 32 round magazine and the MP40 was plagued with reliability problems with the magazine throughout its life. Cocking handle on the left of the receiver. Erroneously called a "Schmeisser" by GIs who through faulty intelligence thought that the famous German arms designer Hugo Schmeisser created this weapon. The gun was actually designed by an engineer named Vollmer who worked for Erma. Over one million were produced. (BGL/ Bishop, Chris, ed. "Guns in Combat". Edison, NJ: Chartwell Books, 1998, pp. 37-40; Shotgun News, June 20, 2005, pp. 12-15.) See Archives for "capture" certificate permitting PFC Adrian D. Hansen to have possession of this weapon. Adrian Donald Hansen was born in Eldorado, WI on 02/07/1919, the son of Margaret May Griffiths Hansen and Pearl Steven Hansen. He attended Slough Bridge School, Winnebago County, Wisconsin. Before World War II, he worked for his father and the Wisconsin Diamond Match Company. He entered the U. S. Army on September 29, 1942. He was in the 1st Battalion of the 82nd Airborne Division, 325 Glider Infantry. He was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded in action in France in 1944. He also received the good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Ribbon with one Silver Star for gallantry in action and one Bronze Battle Star for service above and beyond the call of duty, Glider Badge, five overseas Service Bars, Distinguished Unit Badge, Bronze Service Arrowhead, Combat Infantryman Badge and glider Wings. He also received a Presidential Citation for volunteering to go behind enemy lines to rescue troops in the Battle of the Bulge. He served with the 325th glider Infantry in French Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Sicily, Italy, Ireland, France, Holland, Belgium and Germany. He was part of the Normandy Invasion on D-Day. He served in Foreign Service for 2 years, 4 months, 16 days. He was honorably discharged on September 22, 1945. He returned to the Diamond Match Company to work until it closed. He worked for the Turner Horse Stables and the Universal Foundry, Oshkosh until he retired at age 62. He died 09/08/1998 in Oshkosh WI. |
Gun, Machine
-WORLD WAR II
-Copyright Oshkosh Public Museum
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION ~ For access to this image, contact scross@ci.oshkosh.wi.us
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION ~ For access to this image, contact scross@ci.oshkosh.wi.us