Introduced into service in 1918 by the German Army during World War I, the MP 18 was intended for use by the Sturmtruppen, assault groups specialized in trench combat, as a short-range offensive weapon that would provide individual soldiers with increased firepower over a pistol.

Oct 14, 2019 · While much of the attention of early submachine guns is ultimately paid to the Germans and their MP18 (Maschinenpistole 18), it was the Italians who were the first national army to officially adopt the submachine gun as a standardized weapon class with their introduction of the 9mm Glisenti Twin Villar Perosa in 1915.

Here’s a true piece of submachine gun history: a German MP.18–1 submachine gun, a very early, first-generation, Bergmann-built Hugo Schmeisser design. Schmeisser was the son of designer Louis Schmeisser, who also worked at Bergmann and created the early Bergmann auto pistols.

Jul 1, 2016 · So it remains controversial among historians as to which gun, the Villar Perosa or the German M.P. 18,I, was actually the first shoulder fired submachine gun. The Villar Perosa was originally chambered to fire the 9mm Glisenti cartridge, which is less powerful than the 9mm Parabellum round.

Aug 14, 2017 · When Germany began looking in late 1915 for a new weapon ideally suited for the “last 200 meters” of a combat advance, Hugo Schmeisser’s blowback submachine gun would prove to be the weapon that would set the standard for virtually all submachine guns to come.

Aug 1, 1998 · The Bergmann MP 18,I along with a World War I German Stalheim, MG08/15 drum magazine, POB “Luger” pistol and its magazine and of course an Iron Cross. (Photo W.F. Owens)

It was introduced into service in 1918 by the German Army during World War I as the primary weapon of the Stosstruppen, assault groups specialized in trench combat. Although MP18 production ended in the 1920s, its design formed the basis of most submachine guns manufactured between 1920 and 1960.

May 27, 2020 · The MP 18 made its combat debut during the First World War. Standard-issue bolt action rifles of the era were in no way optimized for trench warfare.

The Maschinen Pistole Modell 1918, or M.P.18.I in short, was developed by German small arms designer Hugo Schmeisser. The weapon was developed in 1917 on request from Imperial German Army, which required a compact, yet highly effective weapon for short-range fighting in trenches of World War One.

machine gun, automatic weapon of small calibre that is capable of sustained rapid fire. Most machine guns are belt-fed weapons that fire from 500 to 1,000 rounds per minute and will continue to fire as long as the trigger is held back or until the supply of ammunition is exhausted.