SERVICE – Limited use by German forces during WWII on the Eastern Front
This was a minimal conversion of a standard MP40 submachinegun with the intent to increase the immediate magazine capacity of the weapon. To accomplish this, a special double magazine holder along with a widened magazine housing was designed that could replace the standard magazine well of the MP40. The new modification allowed for two standard 32-round magazines to be inserted into the weapon. To switch from one magazine to another only required pressing in the locking catch on the front of the magazine well and sliding the fresh magazine into place. The intent of the design was to give the German soldier a weapon that matched the magazine capacity of the Soviet PPSh-41 submachinegun with its 71-round drum. Developed as the Gerät Nr. 3004, the conversion went into production in July, 1943. The design was not successful in combat.
