MP38: Germany’s First Modern Submachine Gun

1. Lead

The MP38, officially the Maschinenpistole 38, was Germany’s first modern submachine gun, a compact 9 mm weapon with a folding metal stock that became one of the most recognisable firearms of the Second World War. Designed by Heinrich Vollmer and produced by the Erfurter Maschinenfabrik, known as Erma, the MP38 was introduced in 1938 and issued first to paratroopers and to Waffen-SS units, before being adopted more widely by the German Army. Approximately 40,000 MP38s were built between 1938 and 1941, when production shifted to the cheaper MP40, which used stamped steel parts instead of the MP38’s machined components. The MP38’s distinctive profile, with its folding stock, its long magazine, and its bakelite grip, became a symbol of the German soldier, and the weapon served on every front, from Poland in 1939 to Berlin in 1945.

The MP38 was a significant advance over the earlier MP18, the German submachine gun of the First World War, which had a wooden stock and a drum magazine. The MP38’s folding stock made it compact enough to be carried by paratroopers and tank crews, and its 32-round magazine gave it a useful capacity. The weapon’s rate of fire, approximately 500 rounds per minute, was controllable, and its 9 mm cartridge was effective at close range. The MP38’s machined construction made it expensive and slow to produce, which was the reason it was replaced by the MP40, but its quality and reliability were excellent. The MP38’s service in Poland, France, the Soviet Union and Normandy established the submachine gun as a standard infantry weapon, and the weapon’s design influenced later submachine guns, including the MP40 and post-war designs.

The MP38 is remembered today as one of the most famous submachine guns in history, and as the predecessor of the even more famous MP40. Museums in Germany, Britain, Russia and the United States preserve examples, and the MP38 remains a popular subject for collectors and historians. For historians of infantry weapons, the MP38 illustrates the transition from the First World War submachine gun to the modern weapon, and the way in which a well-designed firearm can shape the tactics of an army. The MP38’s service, from 1938 to 1945, and its production in limited numbers, make it one of the most sought-after German weapons of the Second World War, despite its replacement by the MP40.

2. Key Facts

Field	Value
Type	Submachine gun
Origin	Germany
Designed	1936–1938 (Heinrich Vollmer, Erma)
In service	1938–1945 (Germany; longer with some users)
Produced	Approximately 40,000 (MP38; figures vary by source)
Manufacturers	Erfurter Maschinenfabrik (Erma)
Crew	1 (individual weapon)
Weight	Approximately 4.2 kg (9.2 lb) unloaded; approximately 4.8 kg loaded
Length	Approximately 833 mm (32.8 in) stock extended; 630 mm folded
Barrel length	Approximately 251 mm (9.9 in)
Calibre	9×19 mm Parabellum
Feed	32-round detachable box magazine
Action	Blowback, open bolt, selective fire
Rate of fire	Approximately 500 rounds per minute (cyclic)
Muzzle velocity	Approximately 400 m/s (1,312 ft/s)
Effective range	Approximately 100–200 m
Notable variants	MP38, MP38/40, MP40 (successor)

3. Background and Development

From the MP18 to the MP38

The MP38’s origins lay in the MP18, the German submachine gun of the First World War, which had been used by stormtroopers in 1918. The MP18 was a large, heavy weapon with a wooden stock and a 32-round snail drum magazine, and it was effective in trench warfare, but its design was outdated by the 1930s. The German Army, which had been forbidden to possess submachine guns under the Treaty of Versailles, worked secretly to develop a new weapon, and in the mid-1930s it issued a specification for a modern submachine gun. The specification called for a compact weapon, with a folding stock, a box magazine, and a 9 mm cartridge, suitable for use by paratroopers, tank crews, and squad leaders. The design was assigned to Heinrich Vollmer, an engineer at Erma, who had experience in automatic weapons, and who developed the MP38 from the earlier Erma EMP submachine gun. The MP38 was accepted for service in 1938, and it became the German Army’s standard submachine gun.

The MP18’s legacy was in its concept: a compact automatic weapon firing a pistol cartridge, for use at close range. The MP38 retained this concept but modernised it, with a folding metal stock, a straight box magazine, and a simpler blowback action. The MP38’s development reflected the German Army’s experience in the First World War, where the MP18 had proved the value of the submachine gun, and the growing recognition that the weapon would be important in the mobile warfare of the future. The MP38’s introduction in 1938, just before the outbreak of war, was timely, and the weapon served in the Polish campaign, where it was used by paratroopers and by Waffen-SS units. The MP38’s development from the MP18 shows the evolution of the submachine gun, from a trench weapon to a modern infantry arm.

Heinrich Vollmer and the Erma Design

The MP38 was designed by Heinrich Vollmer, a German engineer who had worked on automatic weapons since the First World War. Vollmer’s design, developed at the Erfurter Maschinenfabrik, drew on the Erma EMP, an earlier submachine gun that had been produced for export. Vollmer simplified the EMP’s design, replacing its wooden stock with a folding metal stock, and its complex mechanism with a simple blowback action. The MP38’s receiver was machined from solid steel, which gave it strength and reliability, but also made it expensive and slow to produce. The weapon’s design was refined through testing at the Army’s weapons proving ground, where its reliability and accuracy were evaluated. The MP38’s design was a success, and it became the basis for the MP40, which retained the MP38’s layout but used stamped parts to reduce cost. Vollmer’s contribution to the MP38 is often overlooked, because the MP40 is better known, but his design was the foundation of Germany’s most famous submachine gun.

Vollmer’s design reflected the German Army’s requirements for a submachine gun that was compact, reliable, and easy to use. The folding stock, which reduced the weapon’s length to 630 millimetres, made it suitable for paratroopers, who needed a weapon that could be carried in a jump, and for tank crews, who needed a weapon that could be stowed in a cramped vehicle. The 32-round magazine, fed from below, gave the weapon a useful capacity, and the 9 mm cartridge was standard in the German Army. The MP38’s design was also notable for its bakelite grip and its lack of a wooden stock, which made it lighter and more durable. Vollmer’s work on the MP38 established the pattern for German submachine guns, and his design influenced the MP40 and later weapons. The MP38’s Erma design remains one of the most important in the history of the submachine gun.

The Fallschirmjäger’s Weapon

The MP38 was first issued to the Fallschirmjäger, the German paratroopers, who needed a compact weapon that could be carried in a jump and used immediately on landing. The paratroopers’ use of the MP38 in the invasions of Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and Crete demonstrated the weapon’s value, and its folding stock made it ideal for airborne operations. The Fallschirmjäger’s MP38s were used in the assault on Fort Eben-Emael in Belgium in May 1940, where paratroopers landed by glider and captured the fortress, and in the invasion of Crete in May 1941, where the weapon’s compactness was an advantage in the confused fighting. The MP38’s association with the Fallschirmjäger made it a symbol of Germany’s elite airborne forces, and the weapon’s distinctive profile became associated with the paratrooper. Paratroopers valued the weapon’s compactness in the jump and its firepower on landing, and the MP38 became as much a part of their identity as the jump smock and helmet. The Fallschirmjäger’s use of the MP38 was the weapon’s first major service, and it established the submachine gun’s reputation.

Adoption in 1938

The MP38 was adopted by the German Army in 1938, and production began at the Erma factory in Erfurt. The weapon was initially issued to paratroopers, to the Waffen-SS, and to squad leaders in infantry units, who used it as a symbol of authority and as a close-range weapon. The MP38’s adoption was part of the German Army’s rearmament programme, in which the submachine gun was recognised as a standard infantry weapon, rather than as a specialist arm. The weapon’s production was limited, because its machined construction was slow and expensive, and only about 40,000 were built before production shifted to the MP40 in 1941. The MP38’s adoption in 1938, just before the war, meant that the weapon was available for the Polish campaign, where it served with distinction. The adoption was a key moment in the history of the submachine gun, because it established the weapon as a standard arm of the German infantry.

The MP38’s adoption was not without controversy. Some officers argued that the submachine gun was a waste of ammunition, and that the rifle remained the infantryman’s primary weapon. The experience of the Polish and French campaigns, however, showed that the submachine gun was effective in close combat, in urban fighting, and in the assault on fortified positions. The MP38’s adoption was vindicated by its service, and the weapon became a standard part of the German infantry squad, with the squad leader carrying an MP38 or MP40, and the riflemen carrying Karabiner 98k rifles. The MP38’s adoption in 1938 was the beginning of the submachine gun’s dominance in close combat, and it shaped German infantry tactics for the rest of the war.

4. Design

The Machined Receiver and Folding Stock

The MP38’s most distinctive feature was its machined steel receiver, which was made from a solid block of steel, milled to shape, and finished to a high standard. The machined receiver gave the weapon strength and reliability, but it also made it expensive and slow to produce, requiring skilled labour and precision machinery. The receiver had longitudinal ribs, which strengthened it and which distinguished the MP38 from the later MP40, whose stamped receiver was smooth. The MP38’s folding metal stock, which pivoted under the receiver, reduced the weapon’s length from 833 millimetres to 630 millimetres, making it compact enough for paratroopers and tank crews. The stock was made of steel tubing, with a butt plate, and it locked in the extended position. The MP38’s design, with its machined receiver and folding stock, was a product of German engineering, and it reflected the Army’s emphasis on quality over cost.

The machined receiver and folding stock were the MP38’s defining features, and they contributed to the weapon’s reputation for quality. The receiver’s machining ensured a tight fit between the bolt and the receiver, which improved reliability and accuracy, and the folding stock’s design was simple and robust. The MP38’s construction, however, was its greatest weakness, because it required more time and more skilled labour than the stamped MP40, and its production could not meet the Army’s demand. The MP38’s design was a success in engineering terms, but a failure in production terms, and its replacement by the MP40 was a recognition that the Army needed a weapon that could be built quickly and cheaply. The MP38’s machined receiver remains a hallmark of its quality, and it is valued by collectors today.

Why the MP38 Was Expensive

The MP38 was expensive because its receiver was machined from solid steel, a process that required skilled machinists, precision tools, and many hours of labour. Each receiver had to be milled, drilled, and finished by hand, and the weapon’s parts were fitted individually, rather than being interchangeable. The MP38’s production was slow, with only about 40,000 built in three years, and its cost was several times that of the MP40, which used stamped steel parts that could be produced quickly by unskilled labour. The MP38’s expense was a consequence of its design, which prioritised quality and reliability over ease of production, and it reflected the German arms industry’s tradition of precision engineering. The weapon’s cost was the reason it was replaced by the MP40, which retained the MP38’s layout but used cheaper manufacturing methods. The MP38’s expense is a reminder that a weapon’s design must balance quality with producibility, and that the best weapon is not always the most expensive one.

The 9mm Cartridge and 32-Round Magazine

The MP38 fired the 9×19 mm Parabellum cartridge, the standard German pistol round, which was effective at close range and widely available. The cartridge’s power was adequate for the submachine gun’s role, and its low recoil allowed the weapon to be fired controllably in automatic mode. The MP38’s 32-round detachable box magazine was fed from below the receiver, and it was loaded by hand, with cartridges pressed into the magazine one by one. The magazine’s capacity gave the MP38 a useful volume of fire, and its straight design made it reliable, although it was vulnerable to dirt and to damage. The magazine’s 32-round capacity was a compromise between firepower and weight, and it became the standard for German submachine guns. The MP38’s cartridge and magazine were well suited to the weapon’s role, and they contributed to its effectiveness in close combat.

The 9 mm cartridge and the 32-round magazine were the MP38’s most practical features, and they reflected the German Army’s standardisation on the 9 mm round. The cartridge’s availability meant that MP38 users could be supplied from the same stocks as pistol users, and the magazine’s design was shared with the MP40, which simplified supply. The magazine’s loading, by hand, was slow, and soldiers often carried a loading tool, but the magazine’s reliability was good, and its capacity was sufficient for most engagements. The MP38’s cartridge and magazine were not innovative, but they were proven, and their standardisation was a key factor in the weapon’s service. The 9 mm cartridge remains the standard submachine gun round today, and the MP38’s use of it was a significant step in the standardisation of infantry weapons.

The Open Bolt and Rate of Fire

The MP38 operated on the blowback principle, with an open bolt, meaning that the bolt remained open between shots, and closed only when the trigger was pulled. The open bolt design was simple and reliable, and it allowed the barrel to cool between bursts, reducing the risk of cook-off. The MP38’s rate of fire, approximately 500 rounds per minute, was moderate for a submachine gun, and it allowed the weapon to be fired controllably in short bursts. The weapon had a selective fire mechanism, allowing the shooter to fire single shots or fully automatic fire, and its safety was a notch in the receiver that locked the bolt. The MP38’s open bolt and rate of fire were well suited to its role, and they contributed to the weapon’s accuracy and controllability. The open bolt design was standard for submachine guns of the period, and the MP38’s implementation was reliable and well proven.

The MP38’s open bolt design had advantages and disadvantages. The open bolt allowed air to circulate through the barrel, cooling it, and it reduced the risk of a round cooking off in a hot chamber. The open bolt, however, allowed dirt to enter the receiver, and the weapon’s accuracy was slightly less than that of a closed-bolt weapon, because the bolt’s movement disturbed the aim. The MP38’s rate of fire, at 500 rounds per minute, was lower than that of the Soviet PPSh-41, which fired at 900 rounds per minute, but it was more controllable, and German soldiers valued its accuracy. The MP38’s design, with its open bolt and moderate rate of fire, reflected the German Army’s emphasis on accuracy and control, rather than on volume of fire. The weapon’s performance in combat demonstrated the soundness of its design, and its rate of fire became the standard for later German submachine guns.

5. Variants

MP38 and MP38/40

The MP38 was produced in a single standard version, with minor variations in its early production run. The MP38/40 was a transitional variant, produced in 1940–1941, which combined the MP38’s machined receiver with some of the MP40’s stamped parts, as Erma began to transition to the new production method. The MP38/40 is rare, and it is valued by collectors as a link between the two weapons. The MP38’s production was limited to about 40,000 weapons, and the variant’s differences were minor, reflecting the weapon’s short production run. The MP38’s design was standardised quickly, and the weapon’s parts were largely interchangeable, although early weapons had minor differences in finish and in markings. The MP38’s variants were few, because the weapon was replaced by the MP40 before significant changes could be made. The MP38/40’s existence shows the transition in German manufacturing, from machined to stamped production, and it is a reminder of the pressures on the German arms industry in 1940–1941.

The MP38’s variants, though few, are significant for collectors and historians, who seek out the rare early examples and the transitional MP38/40. The MP38’s production, divided between the standard version and the MP38/40, reflects the weapon’s history as a bridge between the machined and stamped eras of German arms production. The MP38’s design, with its machined receiver, was the last of its kind in German service, and its replacement by the MP40 marked a shift in German manufacturing philosophy, from quality to quantity. The MP38’s variants are a footnote to its history, but they show the weapon’s evolution and the changing demands of wartime production.

The MP40 Successor

The MP40 was the successor to the MP38, introduced in 1940 and produced in large numbers, with more than a million built. The MP40 retained the MP38’s layout, its folding stock, its 32-round magazine, and its 9 mm cartridge, but it used stamped steel parts instead of machined ones, which made it cheaper and faster to produce. The MP40’s receiver was smooth, without the MP38’s ribs, and its parts were interchangeable, which simplified maintenance and supply. The MP40’s production was shared between Erma, Steyr and other firms, and the weapon became the standard German submachine gun, serving on every front. The MP40’s success was a consequence of its design, which balanced the MP38’s quality with the need for mass production, and it became one of the most famous weapons of the Second World War. The MP38’s legacy lives on in the MP40, which is often confused with its predecessor, but which was a distinct and more widely produced weapon.

The MP40’s introduction marked the end of the MP38’s production, but not the end of its service, as MP38s remained in use throughout the war. The MP40’s stamped construction was a significant innovation, and it influenced post-war submachine gun design, including the Soviet PPS-43 and the American M3 Grease Gun. The MP40’s production, at more than a million weapons, dwarfed the MP38’s 40,000, and it ensured that the German Army had enough submachine guns for its needs. The MP40’s success was a testament to the soundness of the MP38’s design, which the MP40 retained, and to the German arms industry’s ability to adapt its manufacturing methods to wartime demands. The MP38 and MP40 are often discussed together, and their relationship is a key part of the history of the submachine gun.

Telling the MP38 from the MP40

The MP38 and MP40 can be distinguished by their receivers: the MP38’s machined receiver has longitudinal ribs and a rougher finish, while the MP40’s stamped receiver is smooth. The MP38’s cocking handle is also different, with a fixed handle that can be locked in a safety notch, while the MP40’s handle is similar but its receiver is stamped. The MP38’s magazine housing is machined, while the MP40’s is stamped, and the MP38’s overall finish is of higher quality, reflecting its machined construction. The two weapons are similar in layout, with the same folding stock, the same magazine, and the same 9 mm cartridge, and they are often confused, even by experienced collectors. The differences are subtle, but they are significant, because they reflect the different manufacturing methods used for the two weapons. The MP38’s machined receiver is its most distinctive feature, and it is the key to identifying the weapon in photographs and in museums.

Post-War Use and Copies

After the war, the MP38 remained in service with some armies, including the Norwegian and French forces, which used captured weapons for training. The MP38’s design influenced post-war submachine guns, including the Spanish Star Z-45 and the Yugoslav M56, which copied the MP38/MP40 layout. The MP38 was also used by police forces and by paramilitary groups, and its distinctive profile made it a popular weapon in films and in popular culture. The MP38’s post-war use was limited, because the MP40 was more widely available, and because the weapon’s machined construction made it expensive to maintain. The MP38’s copies, however, show the lasting influence of its design, and the weapon’s layout, with its folding stock and its pistol grip, became the standard for submachine guns after the war. The MP38’s post-war history is a reminder of the weapon’s quality and of its influence on later designs.

The MP38’s post-war copies included the Spanish Star Z-45, which was a direct copy of the MP40, and the Yugoslav M56, which combined features of the MP38 and the MP40. These copies were produced in the 1940s and 1950s, and they served with the armies of Spain, Yugoslavia and other countries. The MP38’s influence on these weapons was in its layout and its ergonomics, which were widely copied. The MP38’s post-war use by police and by paramilitary forces was limited, but the weapon’s distinctive appearance ensured that it would be remembered. The MP38’s post-war history is a minor chapter, but it shows the weapon’s lasting impact on submachine gun design, and its place in the history of infantry weapons.

6. Operational History

Poland and France 1939–1940

The MP38’s combat debut came in the invasion of Poland in September 1939, where it was used by paratroopers and by Waffen-SS units. The weapon’s compactness and its firepower were valued in the close fighting of the Polish campaign, and its folding stock made it suitable for troops who needed a weapon that could be carried easily. In the invasion of France in May 1940, the MP38 served with German infantry, paratroopers and armoured crews, and its use in the assault on Fort Eben-Emael demonstrated its value to airborne forces. The MP38’s service in France was extensive, and the weapon was used in urban fighting, in the assault on fortified positions, and in the pursuit of retreating Allied forces. The MP38’s debut in Poland and France established its reputation, and the weapon became a symbol of the German soldier. The MP38’s early service was the beginning of a long combat career, and it showed that the submachine gun had become a standard infantry weapon.

The MP38’s service in Poland and France was limited by its small numbers, because only about 40,000 were built, and the weapon was issued primarily to squad leaders and to specialist troops. The MP38’s use in these campaigns, however, was significant, because it demonstrated the submachine gun’s effectiveness in mobile warfare, and it influenced the German Army’s decision to produce the MP40 in large numbers. The MP38’s service in the early campaigns was a test of its design, and the weapon performed well, with its reliability and its controllability praised by its users. The MP38’s Polish and French service remains a key chapter in its history, and it is closely tied to the story of the Blitzkrieg, in which the submachine gun played a supporting but important role.

The MP38 in the Hands of Squad Leaders

The MP38 was issued primarily to squad leaders, who used it as a symbol of authority and as a close-range weapon. The squad leader’s MP38 distinguished him from his riflemen, who carried the Karabiner 98k, and it gave him a weapon that was effective in the assault, where the rifle’s bolt action was too slow. The squad leader’s role, directing his men in the attack, required a weapon that could be fired quickly and accurately at close range, and the MP38 was ideal for this purpose. The MP38’s use by squad leaders was a key part of German infantry tactics, in which the squad leader led from the front, and his submachine gun was a tool for both command and combat. The weapon’s association with squad leaders made it a symbol of leadership in the German Army, and its distinctive profile became associated with the German NCO. The MP38’s service as a squad leader’s weapon was its most common role, and it shaped the weapon’s reputation.

Barbarossa and the Eastern Front

In Operation Barbarossa in June 1941, the MP38 served on the Eastern Front, where it was used by German infantry in the fighting against the Soviet Union. The weapon’s compactness and its firepower were valued in the close combat of the Eastern Front, particularly in urban fighting, in forests, and in the assault on fortified positions. The MP38’s service in the Soviet Union was extensive, and the weapon was used by infantry, by tank crews, and by the Waffen-SS. The MP38’s reliability in the cold and mud of the Eastern Front was good, although its magazine was vulnerable to dirt, and its 9 mm cartridge was less effective at long range than the Soviet PPSh-41’s 7.62 mm round. The MP38’s Eastern Front service was the longest of its career, and it demonstrated the weapon’s adaptability to different climates and different types of warfare. The MP38’s service in the Soviet Union was a key part of its history, and it established the submachine gun as a standard weapon of the German infantry.

The MP38’s Eastern Front service included its use in the siege of Leningrad, in the fighting at Stalingrad, and in the defensive battles of 1943–1945. The weapon’s use in Stalingrad, where German and Soviet troops fought house to house, was particularly significant, as the MP38’s compactness and firepower were ideal for urban combat. The MP38’s service on the Eastern Front was also marked by its capture by Soviet troops, who used the weapon themselves, and by its replacement by the MP40, which was produced in larger numbers. The MP38’s Eastern Front service was the weapon’s most important combat role, and it showed that the submachine gun had become indispensable in modern warfare. The weapon’s reliability and its effectiveness in close combat were valued by its users, and its service on the Eastern Front is remembered in the accounts of German veterans.

Normandy and the Last Battles

In Normandy, the MP38 served with German forces in the fighting around Caen and in the bocage, where its compactness and firepower were valued in the hedgerow country. The weapon’s service in Normandy was extensive, although by 1944 the MP40 was more common, and the MP38 was increasingly a second-line weapon. The MP38’s use in the Ardennes, during the Battle of the Bulge, and in the final battles in Germany, was the culmination of its combat career. The weapon served until the end of the war, and its production had long since ended, but the MP38 remained in use with German forces, particularly with the Volkssturm, the people’s militia, in the last months of the war. The MP38’s service in Normandy and in the last battles was a testament to its durability, and it showed that a weapon designed in 1938 could still serve in 1945. The MP38’s combat career ended with the war in Europe, and the weapon was withdrawn from German service.

The MP38’s service in Normandy and in the last battles was less extensive than its Eastern Front service, but it was significant, because it demonstrated the weapon’s longevity. The MP38’s use in the bocage, where engagements were at short range, was well suited to the submachine gun, and its crews valued its controllability. The weapon’s service in the Ardennes was limited, because the German offensive relied on tanks and artillery, but the MP38 was used by infantry in the fighting around Bastogne. The MP38’s final service, with the Volkssturm in Berlin, was a reminder of Germany’s desperation in the last months of the war, when old weapons were issued to hastily trained militia. The MP38’s combat career, from Poland in 1939 to Berlin in 1945, was one of the longest of any German submachine gun, and it is a testament to the weapon’s design.

7. Performance and Specifications

Strengths: Firepower and Compactness

The MP38’s greatest strengths were its firepower and its compactness. The weapon’s 32-round magazine and its rate of fire, approximately 500 rounds per minute, gave it a useful volume of fire at close range, and its 9 mm cartridge was effective against infantry. The MP38’s folding stock made it compact, with a length of only 630 millimetres when folded, and its weight, approximately 4.2 kilograms unloaded, was manageable for a submachine gun. The weapon’s reliability was excellent, thanks to its machined receiver and its simple blowback action, and its accuracy, at ranges up to 200 metres, was good for a submachine gun. The MP38’s strengths made it an effective close-combat weapon, and its service in Poland, France and the Soviet Union demonstrated its value. The weapon’s firepower and compactness were the reasons it was issued to paratroopers, tank crews and squad leaders, who needed a weapon that was both powerful and portable.

The MP38’s strengths were also a product of its design. The folding stock, the pistol grip, and the magazine well were ergonomically designed, and the weapon was comfortable to hold and to fire. The MP38’s sights, a front post and a rear aperture, were simple and effective, and the weapon’s selective fire allowed the shooter to fire single shots for accuracy or automatic fire for suppression. The MP38’s strengths were well suited to its role as a close-combat weapon, and its service in urban fighting and in the assault on fortified positions showed its value. The weapon’s firepower and compactness were the reasons it became a symbol of the German soldier, and they are the MP38’s most enduring legacy. The MP38’s design, with its folding stock and its 32-round magazine, set the pattern for later submachine guns.

Weaknesses: Cost and the Magazine

The MP38’s greatest weaknesses were its cost and its magazine. The weapon’s machined receiver made it expensive and slow to produce, and its production, at about 40,000 weapons, could not meet the Army’s demand. The MP38’s 32-round magazine, while giving the weapon a useful capacity, was vulnerable to dirt and to damage, and it had to be loaded by hand, which was slow. The magazine’s single-feed design, in which cartridges were fed one at a time, was less reliable than the double-feed design of later weapons, and the magazine could jam if it was dirty or dented. The MP38’s 9 mm cartridge, while effective at close range, was less powerful than a rifle cartridge, and the weapon’s effective range, approximately 100 to 200 metres, was limited. The MP38’s weaknesses were a consequence of its design as a machined weapon, and they were the reason it was replaced by the MP40, which used stamped parts and a more reliable magazine.

The MP38’s weaknesses were well understood by the German Army, which recognised that the weapon’s cost was prohibitive and that its magazine was a weak point. The Army’s response was to develop the MP40, which retained the MP38’s layout but used cheaper manufacturing methods and an improved magazine housing. The MP38’s weaknesses were significant, but they did not prevent the weapon from serving effectively, and its crews valued its reliability and its accuracy. The weapon’s cost was the price of its quality, and its magazine’s limitations were a consequence of its design. The MP38’s weaknesses are a key part of its history, and they explain why the weapon was produced in limited numbers and replaced so quickly. The MP38’s weaknesses, however, did not diminish its reputation, and the weapon remains one of the most respected submachine guns of the Second World War.

MP38 versus the PPSh-41

The comparison between the MP38 and the Soviet PPSh-41 illustrates the different approaches to submachine gun design in the Second World War. The PPSh-41, with its 71-round drum magazine and its rate of fire of approximately 900 rounds per minute, had a greater volume of fire than the MP38, and its 7.62 mm cartridge had a longer range. The MP38, however, was more accurate and more controllable, with its lower rate of fire and its better sights, and its machined construction made it more reliable. The PPSh-41 was cheaper and easier to produce, with its stamped parts, and it was produced in larger numbers, with more than six million built. The MP38 was produced in only 40,000 examples, and its cost was far higher. The comparison shows that the Soviet approach, emphasising quantity and volume of fire, was more suited to mass production, while the German approach, emphasising quality and accuracy, produced a better weapon in smaller numbers. The MP38’s service against the PPSh-41 on the Eastern Front demonstrated the strengths and weaknesses of both designs.

8. Operators

The German Army and Waffen-SS

The principal operator of the MP38 was the German Army, which used the weapon from 1938 to 1945. The MP38 was issued to paratroopers, to squad leaders, to tank crews, and to the Waffen-SS, which received the weapon early and used it extensively. The MP38’s German service was the longest and most important of its career, and the weapon’s history is closely tied to the history of the German infantry in the Second World War. The MP38’s crews were trained in the use of the submachine gun, and the weapon’s tactics were taught alongside those of the rifle and the machine gun. The MP38’s German operators valued its compactness, its firepower and its reliability, and the weapon’s service on every front demonstrated its value. The MP38 was withdrawn from German service at the end of the war, but its production and its service had made it one of the most famous German weapons, and its legacy in the German Army was profound.

The MP38’s German service included its use by the Fallschirmjäger, who were the weapon’s first users, and by the Waffen-SS, which used the MP38 in Poland, France and the Soviet Union. The weapon’s service with the Army’s infantry divisions was extensive, and the MP38 became a standard part of the squad leader’s equipment. The MP38’s German operators included tank crews, who carried the weapon as a personal defence arm, and police units, which used the MP38 for internal security. The weapon’s German service was a testament to its design and to the Army’s recognition of the submachine gun’s importance. The MP38’s history in German service is one of long and distinguished service, from Poland in 1939 to Berlin in 1945, and it is closely tied to the story of German infantry warfare.

Export and Captured Use

The MP38 was exported in small numbers to other countries, including Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria, which used the weapon in their own armies. The MP38 was also used by the Soviet Union, which captured large numbers of the weapon on the Eastern Front and issued them to its own troops, and by the French Resistance, which used captured MP38s against the Germans. The MP38’s foreign service was limited compared with its German service, because the weapon was produced in small numbers and was not widely exported. The MP38’s captured use by the Soviet Union was significant, as Soviet troops valued the weapon’s accuracy and its controllability, and used it alongside the PPSh-41. The MP38’s export and captured use was a minor part of its history, but it shows the weapon’s reputation and its distribution beyond Germany. The MP38’s foreign operators were an important part of the weapon’s story, and their service ensured that it would be remembered beyond the German Army.

The MP38’s export service included its use by the armies of Germany’s allies, which received the weapon as military aid, and by partisan groups, which captured it from German forces. The weapon’s service with these armies was limited, but it demonstrated the MP38’s quality and its appeal to foreign users. The MP38’s captured use by the Allies, including the Soviet Union and the French Resistance, was a testament to the weapon’s effectiveness, and it showed that the MP38 was valued even by its enemies. The MP38’s foreign service was extensive enough to ensure that the weapon would be preserved in museums in Russia, France and other countries, and that its history would be studied beyond Germany. The MP38’s operators, German and foreign, were a key part of its legacy.

9. Legacy and Influence

The First Modern Submachine Gun

The MP38 was the first modern submachine gun, with its folding stock, its pistol grip, and its box magazine, and its design set the pattern for later weapons. The MP38’s layout, with the magazine fed from below and the stock folding under the receiver, became the standard for submachine guns after the war, and its influence can be seen in the MP40, the Soviet PPS-43, and the American M3 Grease Gun. The MP38’s design was a significant advance over the MP18, and it demonstrated that a submachine gun could be compact, reliable and effective. The weapon’s legacy as the first modern submachine gun is its most important contribution, and it is the reason the MP38 is remembered as a landmark in the history of infantry weapons. The MP38’s design influenced the development of submachine guns for decades, and its layout remains the standard today.

The MP38’s legacy as the first modern submachine gun was also in its manufacturing. The MP38’s machined construction was the last of its kind, and its replacement by the MP40’s stamped construction marked a shift in arms production, from quality to quantity. The MP38’s design, with its emphasis on ergonomics and on controllability, influenced later weapons, and its folding stock became a standard feature of submachine guns. The MP38’s legacy is thus both technical and industrial, and it shaped the development of infantry weapons in the second half of the twentieth century. The weapon’s place in history as the first modern submachine gun is secure, and its design remains a model for later weapons.

The MP38 in Memory

The MP38 is one of the best-known German weapons of the Second World War, and its distinctive profile, with its folding stock and its long magazine, is instantly recognisable. The weapon is preserved in museums in Germany, Britain, Russia and the United States, and it is a popular subject for collectors and historians. The MP38’s reputation among veterans was considerable: German soldiers valued its compactness and its firepower, and Allied soldiers who captured the weapon valued its accuracy. The MP38’s place in popular memory reflects its service on every front, and its association with the German paratrooper and the squad leader. The weapon remains a symbol of the German soldier, and its history is closely tied to the story of the Second World War. The MP38’s distinctive appearance has made it a favourite of filmmakers, and it has appeared in numerous films about the war.

The MP38’s cultural legacy extends beyond museums and histories. The weapon has appeared in films, in television programmes, and in video games about the Second World War, where it is often depicted in the hands of German soldiers. The MP38’s name has entered popular culture as a synonym for the German submachine gun, although the MP40 is often confused with it. The weapon’s place in memory is a testament to its service and to its distinctive design, and it ensures that the MP38 will continue to be studied and remembered. The MP38’s legacy in memory is a reminder of the weapon’s importance in the Second World War, and of its role as the predecessor of the MP40, one of the most famous weapons in history.

From MP38 to Modern SMGs

The MP38’s influence on modern submachine guns is clear in the layout and ergonomics of later weapons. The folding stock, the pistol grip, and the magazine well, all features of the MP38, became standard on submachine guns after the war, including the Israeli Uzi, the American M3, and the German MP5. The MP5, in particular, owes a debt to the MP38, with its roller-delayed blowback action and its compact design, although its mechanism is different. The MP38’s influence is also in its manufacturing: the shift from machined to stamped parts, begun with the MP40, became the standard for submachine gun production, and it allowed weapons to be produced cheaply and in large numbers. The MP38’s legacy in modern submachine guns is a testament to the soundness of its design, and it ensures that the weapon’s influence will continue to be felt. The MP38’s place in the history of the submachine gun is secure, as the first modern weapon of its type.

10. Surviving Examples

Museums in Germany and Europe

A small number of MP38s survive in museums in Germany and Europe, reflecting the weapon’s limited production run. The Deutsches Historisches Museum in Berlin holds an MP38, and the Wehrtechnische Studiensammlung at Koblenz displays the weapon. The Imperial War Museum in London holds an MP38, and the Musée de l’Armée in Paris displays the weapon. The Tank Museum at Bovington holds an MP38, and the National Army Museum in London displays the weapon alongside other German infantry arms. These museum examples are valuable because they show the MP38’s machined receiver and its folding stock, which are difficult to appreciate from photographs. The Berlin example is particularly well preserved, and it is displayed with its magazine and accessories. The museum examples in Germany and Europe are among the best-preserved in the world, and they are a testament to the weapon’s historical significance.

The museum examples in Germany and Europe include weapons that saw service in the Second World War, and some that were used by the Fallschirmjäger. The Imperial War Museum’s MP38 was captured in Normandy, and the Musée de l’Armée’s example was used by the Waffen-SS. These examples are a reminder of the MP38’s long service and of its importance to the German Army. The weapons’ survival in museums ensures that future generations can see the submachine gun that became a symbol of the German soldier, and can appreciate its design and its construction. The MP38’s European museum examples are a fitting legacy for a weapon that served from 1938 to 1945, and they ensure that the weapon’s place in history will not be forgotten.

Survivors Abroad and Firing Examples

Other surviving MP38s include examples at the National Firearms Museum in the United States, and at military museums in Russia and Canada. The MP38 is also held in private collections, and deactivated examples are owned by collectors in Europe and North America. The weapon is rarely fired today, because its machined parts are valuable and because live examples are subject to strict regulation, but some firing examples are maintained by museums and by licensed collectors. The MP38’s survival in small numbers reflects its limited production run and its heavy use in combat, and it ensures that future generations can see the weapon that was the first modern submachine gun. The surviving examples are a reminder of the MP38’s historical importance and of its influence on later weapons. The MP38’s survival, though limited, is a testament to the weapon’s quality and to the efforts of museums and collectors to preserve it.

The surviving MP38s abroad include examples in the United States, where the National Firearms Museum holds a weapon captured in the Second World War, and in Russia, where the Kubinka collection holds MP38s captured on the Eastern Front. The weapon’s survival in private hands is limited, because the MP38 is a rare and valuable collector’s item, and its price reflects its scarcity. The firing examples, maintained by museums, are a living link to the MP38’s history, and they allow the public to see a weapon that served on every front of the Second World War. The MP38’s survival in museums and in private collections ensures that the weapon will continue to be studied and appreciated, and that its place in the history of the submachine gun will not be forgotten.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many MP38s were built?
Approximately 40,000 MP38s were built between 1938 and 1941. Production then shifted to the MP40, of which more than a million were built. The MP38’s limited production makes it rarer and more valuable than the MP40.

What is the difference between the MP38 and the MP40?
The MP38 has a machined steel receiver with longitudinal ribs, while the MP40 has a smooth stamped steel receiver. The two weapons share the same layout, folding stock, 32-round magazine and 9 mm cartridge, but the MP40 was cheaper and faster to produce.

Who first used the MP38?
The MP38 was first issued to the Fallschirmjäger, the German paratroopers, and to Waffen-SS units. It was later issued more widely to squad leaders, tank crews and other specialist troops in the German Army.

What cartridge did the MP38 fire?
The MP38 fired the 9×19 mm Parabellum cartridge, the standard German pistol round. Its 32-round detachable box magazine gave it a useful capacity for close combat.

Was the MP38 used on the Eastern Front?
Yes. The MP38 served extensively on the Eastern Front, where it was used in urban fighting, in forests, and in the assault on fortified positions. Soviet troops captured MP38s and used them themselves.

Are original MP38s valuable today?
Yes. Original MP38s are rare and highly prized by collectors, because only about 40,000 were built. Live examples are subject to strict regulation, and deactivated examples command significant prices.

Sources

• Ian Hogg, German Hand and Small Arms of World War II (Greenhill Books).
• Gordon Rottman, The MP38 and MP40 Submachine Guns (Osprey Publishing).
• Deutsches Historisches Museum, Berlin, MP38 collection records.
• Imperial War Museum, London, MP38 exhibits and records.
• National Firearms Museum, MP38 collection records.
• German War Office, Maschinenpistole 38 Handbook (wartime technical manual).