NAME MP41

NAME (NATIVE) – Maschinenpistole 41

COMMON NAMES – Model 41

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN – Germany

DATE OF MANUFACTURE – 1941

CALIBER 9x19mm

OVERALL LENGTH – 86.4 cm (34 in)

BARREL LENGTH – 25.2 cm (9.95 in)

RIFLING (TYPE & TWIST) – 6 Groove, Right-hand twist

BULLET WEIGHT – 8.04 g (124 gr)

BULLET DIAMETER – 9mm (0.355 in)

MUZZLE VELOCITY – 381 m/s (1250 fps)

MUZZLE ENERGY – 583 j (430 ft/lbs)

WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 3.685 kg (8 lbs 2 oz)

WEIGHT (LOADED) – 4.335 kg (9 lbs 9 oz)

SIGHTS – Front – Blade, Rear open U-notch, flip sight for 100 and 200 meters (109 and 218 yds)

EFFECTIVE RANGE – 200 m (218 yds)

OPERATION – Blowback, fires from open bolt

TYPE OF FIRE – Selective, Semi and Full automatic

RATE OF FIRE – 32 rpm Semi, 96 rpm Auto

CYCLIC ROF – 500 rpm

FEED DEVICE – 32 round box magazine, double-column, single position feed

FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 0.26 kg (9 oz)

FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (LOADED) – 0.65 kg (1 lb 7 oz)

MAGAZINE LOADER WEIGHT 0.15 kg (5.3 oz)

BASIC AMMUNITION LOAD – 6 magazines (192 rounds)

LOAD WEIGHT – 3.9 kg (8 lbs 10 oz)

MANUFACTURER – C.G. Haenel Waffen-und Fahrradfabrik AG, Suhl, Germany

STATUS – Obsolete, limited production, 26,000 in 1941, 1,500 in 1944

SERVICE – No official German military service, possibly produced for Rumanian service.

     This is a hybrid weapon, combining the upper receiver, barrel, magazine, bolt, and recoil spring assembly of the MP40 with the wooden buttstock and fire selector of the MP28/II. It is very possible that this design came about from a request by the Rumanian government (an ally of the German during WWII) for a supply of German submachineguns. The design was conducted by Hugo Schmeisser and utilized spare parts that were available at the Haenel plant. Parts such as the bolt were only very slightly modified for the MP41. All weapons, magazines, and loading tools were marked “MP41” for issue. The first batch of weapons produced in 1941 were sent on to Rumania while the smaller second batch in 1944 were probably issued to the German police.

 

This MP40 has the long sling attached to the front and rear sling slots. The weapon can hang comfortable at the side of the operator. Additionally, with the front sling slot on the right side of the weapon, the submachinegun can be slung over the shoulder on the soldier’s back without the cocking handle digging into him. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
This MP40 has the long sling attached to the front and rear sling slots. The weapon can hang comfortable at the side of the operator. Additionally, with the front sling slot on the right side of the weapon, the submachinegun can be slung over the shoulder on the soldier’s back without the cocking handle digging into him. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
The unusual full-stocked MP41. The weapon was designed by Hugo Schmeisser and manufactured in 1941. The purpose behind the weapon was never made very clear, but it was used by units of the SS as well as sold to the Romanians when a second production run was made. The magazine housing, magazine, upper receiver, and bolt/mainspring mechanism were taken directly from the MP40. This specimen uses the ribbed magazine housing from the improved MP40. The barrel is modified from that of the MP40, the fittings to allow the barrel rest to be installed are missing. The button in the stock recess above the trigger is the firing selector switch. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
The unusual full-stocked MP41. The weapon was designed by Hugo Schmeisser and manufactured in 1941. The purpose behind the weapon was never made very clear, but it was used by units of the SS as well as sold to the Romanians when a second production run was made. The magazine housing, magazine, upper receiver, and bolt/mainspring mechanism were taken directly from the MP40. This specimen uses the ribbed magazine housing from the improved MP40. The barrel is modified from that of the MP40, the fittings to allow the barrel rest to be installed are missing. The button in the stock recess above the trigger is the firing selector switch. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
The left side of the MP41 submachinegun showing how the bolt mechanism from the improved MP40 was included in the design. The improved bolt handle can be pulled out to a detent that unlocks it from the receiver and allowing it to move. With the bolt handle pressed in, snapping into a detent, it locks into a cutout in the receiver, preventing the bolt from movement. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
The left side of the MP41 submachinegun showing how the bolt mechanism from the improved MP40 was included in the design. The improved bolt handle can be pulled out to a detent that unlocks it from the receiver and allowing it to move. With the bolt handle pressed in, snapping into a detent, it locks into a cutout in the receiver, preventing the bolt from movement. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
A left-side view of the MP41, unloaded and with the bolt in the forward, uncocked, position. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army
A left-side view of the MP41, unloaded and with the bolt in the forward, uncocked, position. PHOTO CREDIT: US Army