Schmeisser's MP-18,I - The First True Submachine Gun

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  • Опубліковано 16 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 1,7 тис.

  • @con_zur
    @con_zur 6 років тому +1616

    The salt that came from Ian as he said "Everyone in WWI was right handed"

    • @vladimirye547
      @vladimirye547 5 років тому +70

      Maybe back when eugenics was in its top being left-handed was considered as a disability thus left-handed people were not conscripted into the army when mobilizing? Just guessing.

    • @sashaokoh2344
      @sashaokoh2344 5 років тому +225

      @@vladimirye547 They were retaught, both my mother and uncle were natural lefties but were retaught to being righties

    • @Nantosuelta
      @Nantosuelta 5 років тому +90

      Thats just historical fact. Everyone in the world was right handed until 1920

    • @JonatasAdoM
      @JonatasAdoM 5 років тому +57

      @@sashaokoh2344 This. I don't think he was sarcastic because you were punished for using your left hand back then.

    • @Ggb129
      @Ggb129 5 років тому +37

      JonatasAdoM It is true, my left handed uncle was forced to be right handed during his childhood. I'm also left handed, but I chose what time to be born well.

  • @jackmcslay
    @jackmcslay 7 років тому +811

    What I think the purpose of a separate firing pin part is that the designer assumed that firing so fast could damage the firing pin so he designed a firing pin that is easily replaceable and can be replicated by any decent metal lathe operator rather than having to repair the much more complex bolt

    • @paulcheney4114
      @paulcheney4114 5 років тому +54

      Seems very plausible indeed

    • @Crosshair84
      @Crosshair84 5 років тому +112

      It could also be a way to help reduce pierced primers. Ammunition technology was nowhere near as good as it is today. Pierced primers and ruptured cases were real concerns. The firing pin being a separate piece like that means it doesn't have the entire mass of the bolt slamming against the primer, possibly piercing it. Such a setup also allows a longer firing pin that can reach primers that might be seated deeper than spec that a fixed firing pin would not ignite.
      Post war, ammunition quality either improved that it wasn't necessary or other designers determined that it wasn't a big enough problem to be worth the trouble.

    • @BradMurray
      @BradMurray 4 роки тому +23

      After watching a rebuild video that touches on the topic, I believe that the floating firing pin is to allow you to ride the bolt forward manually to use the extractor on a live round without punching the primer. I also like your explanation and am perfectly happy to believe the designer saw two functions in one design choice.

    • @michaelfrench3396
      @michaelfrench3396 3 роки тому +19

      As a machinist, I'm guessing it's ease of manufacture. Instead of adding complicated milling procedures on the bolt, it's a few simple lathe operations to make the striker and the turning and milling of the bolt is easier and faster.

    • @duanesamuelson2256
      @duanesamuelson2256 2 роки тому +5

      @Michael French I believe you are right, plus a firing pin which "wears out" or gets damaged is far cheaper than a new bolt

  • @yappojilla
    @yappojilla 7 років тому +1499

    how shitty would it be to get to the front in WW1 and instead of being handed a gun you get a bag of tromel mags and are told "here, follow this guy, hes got the gun" lol

  • @rodentRoundup
    @rodentRoundup 7 років тому +3379

    If EA is to be believed, these were the most common firearms of World War 1 ...

    • @uteriel282
      @uteriel282 5 років тому +127

      never believe anything ea sais.
      those fucktards dont know shit about anything anyway.

    • @conor1940
      @conor1940 5 років тому +351

      Bruh it's an arcade video game

    • @موسى_7
      @موسى_7 5 років тому +159

      @@conor1940 r/woosh

    • @dawsongranger4940
      @dawsongranger4940 5 років тому +61

      Uteriel r/woosh

    • @Bruh-jr2ep
      @Bruh-jr2ep 5 років тому +160

      @@uteriel282 Why are you saying that? Bf1 is truly a great game!

  • @kurtbergh
    @kurtbergh 7 років тому +887

    That drum makes the gun stand in a perfect angle on the table, though.
    Also, Schmeisser did a really good job. For being the first real SMG, this is excellent. It's almost like someone had an SMG from the future and described it on the phone, everything important is there. Same thing with the STG44, later guns are just refinements of the design.

    • @Raptor747
      @Raptor747 7 років тому +32

      I'd disagree about the STG-44, though. Whereas SMG designs still follow the same basic principles, assault rifles have a variety of mechanisms and have undergone pretty substantial evolution. I mean, hell, compare the Tavor/AUG or AN-94 to the STG-44--big differences.

    • @Brawler_1337
      @Brawler_1337 6 років тому +76

      SaltyWaffles Well, the AN-94 is a whole different can of worms.

    • @PhillipAmthor
      @PhillipAmthor 5 років тому +33

      Schmeisser should have designed a grenade launcher. "Schmeiss" means throw, so a schmeisser grenade launcher would actually mean thrower grenade launcher and i think thats pretty german to call it that way.

    • @ParanoidMaster
      @ParanoidMaster 5 років тому +23

      @@PhillipAmthor Funfact: when I was a child, I always thought that Schmeisser was the nickname for the gun because of this. "Schmeisser" could also be odd colloquial language for "pitcher" in German (it would generally describe a male thing or person who throws or flings something). Although the word isn't used, every German would understand what you said. So I thought its a made-up word by the soldiers. like: "Hans, get se Flinger over here...schnell!"

    • @omartorres5688
      @omartorres5688 5 років тому

      Plus high quality materials

  • @JAnx01
    @JAnx01 6 років тому +77

    It's strange that the first sub-machine gun is also one of the best looking ever built. The beautiful drum magazine, the way it is angled against the gun, the holes around the barrel for cooling, the beautifully shaped wooden stock. It's just too damn sexy.

    • @CreativeUsernameHere-r1k
      @CreativeUsernameHere-r1k 2 роки тому +17

      german design is german...

    • @davitdavid7165
      @davitdavid7165 Рік тому +1

      It was initally designed with a stcik mag. They had to put the drum on because they did not wnat to make another mag design. That mag and angle belong to the luger, so that is why it looks cool

    • @HelmutHein
      @HelmutHein 7 місяців тому +2

      German guns are like german cars. High quality and good looking.

  • @RogersGirl88
    @RogersGirl88 2 роки тому +97

    As someone who damaged their hearing in combat, I really appreciate the effort put in to accurate subtitles (including punctuation haha) so that i can really understand the details in ian’s videos. People with perfect hearing take for granted the auto generated closed captions that are only about 50% accurate, and the rest being an ad-libs-esque mix of meaningless garbage. “Welcome to Forgotten Weapons, I’m Ian…” VS. “We come two for got ten when pins eye am Jan…”

    • @jeongna
      @jeongna Рік тому +7

      I have perfect hearing but oml subtitles are my life, istg i go deaf when i watch shit like this 😭

    • @Xenomorthian
      @Xenomorthian Рік тому +13

      Having accurate subtitles is usually a sign of a good channel that likes their audience

  • @hansharz8321
    @hansharz8321 7 років тому +795

    It was nicknamed by German soldiers the "Grabenfeger" ("trench cleaner")

    • @ulrikschackmeyer848
      @ulrikschackmeyer848 6 років тому +130

      (-feger: sweeper, as in broom, because you "sweep" the trench clean, from side to side, like sweeping with a broom.

    • @zakharlock2162
      @zakharlock2162 6 років тому +63

      We get it no explanation needed guy

    • @daedalus6433
      @daedalus6433 5 років тому +42

      So it was litterarily the thing Thompson copied, all the way to the nickname.

    • @nakaikamahao9197
      @nakaikamahao9197 5 років тому +26

      But they bitch about shotgun sweepers 🤔

    • @montimuros2837
      @montimuros2837 5 років тому +38

      @@zakharlock2162 Hey I did like the explanation.

  • @TheItalianoAssassino
    @TheItalianoAssassino 7 років тому +928

    I'm strangely attracted to sidemounted magazines.

    • @grahamlopez6202
      @grahamlopez6202 6 років тому +59

      Allow me to kill that for you. *ahem* sten mk1

    • @Crosshair84
      @Crosshair84 5 років тому +21

      Same. Wish someone made a 10/22 that took a side magazine. Or a PCC that took 9mm Glock magazines.

    • @montimuros2837
      @montimuros2837 5 років тому +49

      It takes courage to come out of THAT closet.

    • @PhillipAmthor
      @PhillipAmthor 5 років тому +40

      Strange fetish but i respect that

    • @Nantosuelta
      @Nantosuelta 5 років тому +26

      I would have to agree, theres just something aesthetically pleasing about them

  • @SomeGunNerd
    @SomeGunNerd 5 років тому +78

    By today's standards it might be a bit clunky, but considering it's the first gun of it's kind it's really an outstanding design.

    • @raznaak
      @raznaak Рік тому +1

      KISS: Keep It Simple, Stupid.
      Many inventors of the time worked on whacky designs with WAY too many parts that were hard to make and/or quirky and/or brittle...
      This is simple to design, easy to manufacture, sturdy, easy to use and easy to understand, and still kinda cheap. Well all that except for the drum mag, that was management decision, not the design's fault.

  • @taofledermaus
    @taofledermaus 7 років тому +1288

    That's really sweet!

    • @baronpolarbear3273
      @baronpolarbear3273 7 років тому +28

      TAOFLEDERMAUS 1 week ago?????

    • @capmadman6486
      @capmadman6486 7 років тому +13

      TAOFLEDERMAUS nice to see you on this channel

    • @MrNewAbortion1
      @MrNewAbortion1 7 років тому +14

      Patrons get early access.

    • @eton3331
      @eton3331 7 років тому +7

      TAOFLEDERMAUS A WEEK AGO WHAT SORCERY IS THIS!!!!!!!

    • @ChaosPootato
      @ChaosPootato 7 років тому +10

      Jeff's a Forgotten Weapons Patron? That's cool :D

  • @davidcarr7436
    @davidcarr7436 Рік тому +13

    All matching numbers and in incredible condition for a firearm over 100 years old.

  • @TheRogueWolf
    @TheRogueWolf 7 років тому +183

    Surprisingly elegant in its simplicity for its day, and in surprisingly good condition for its age. Maybe Ian should throw it a 100th-birthday party, give it a German chocolate cake with candles shaped like 9x19mm Parabellum rounds.

    • @carldebellis7310
      @carldebellis7310 6 років тому +6

      This must be done

    • @luger_Mann
      @luger_Mann 5 років тому +4

      Lovely

    • @ironie5319
      @ironie5319 4 роки тому +2

      i want that cake too

    • @TectorThe
      @TectorThe Рік тому

      German chocolate cake is Prinzregententorte and that's a perversely nice but also complicated to make cake

  • @german_spirit7545
    @german_spirit7545 7 років тому +966

    German thinking:
    MP: Lower rate of fire
    MG: higher rate of fire

    • @dantrack1563
      @dantrack1563 6 років тому +86

      JusticeForGermany the Americans have the opposite thinking

    • @christopherdubois7257
      @christopherdubois7257 6 років тому +179

      MP:Machine Pistole
      MG:Machine Gewehr

    • @kevinlitton1399
      @kevinlitton1399 6 років тому +2

      Also range and stopping power

    • @hendrickziegler8487
      @hendrickziegler8487 6 років тому +94

      it's a caliber thing: MGs fire rifle ammunition, MPs fire pistol ammunition. Now don't ask about MP7 please ;P

    • @nurox3
      @nurox3 6 років тому +15

      @@hendrickziegler8487 What, did i hear MP7 ....

  • @peterthinks
    @peterthinks 7 років тому +201

    0:14 Proof that Ian is really travelling thru time and getting all these guns from active battlefields.

  • @noonenoesbutme
    @noonenoesbutme 3 роки тому +38

    As an Engineer I'm almost positive the 'M.P. 18,I' is 'MP 18 Revision 1'. Model and part numbers always have rev numbers to indicate changes if they are needed. The fact that there are also MP 18,IV guns further makes me think this is the case. Likely Rev 2 & 3 never made it to production.

    • @LilPistachiofr
      @LilPistachiofr 2 роки тому +4

      That does make sense. Always wondered what it meant so thank you

  • @huntingthekaiser6490
    @huntingthekaiser6490 6 років тому +10

    Thank you for putting this on UA-cam. I've seen this weapon in photographs and drawings of stormtroopers from WW1 but there was never much information about what they were or how long they were issued. You did a thorough job of describing it.

  • @tempest0392
    @tempest0392 7 років тому +370

    Its a beutifull design for its time

    • @BORISTIMUS
      @BORISTIMUS 7 років тому +2

      it's probably the ugliest gun I've ever seen

    • @E46_Lenker
      @E46_Lenker 6 років тому +46

      Just a Trash Player you must have a shit taste

    • @BORISTIMUS
      @BORISTIMUS 6 років тому

      Kampf Kanone no, it looks like a handheld batter mixer.

    • @nothingtoseehere1221
      @nothingtoseehere1221 5 років тому +3

      The only thing i dont like about it is its mag

    • @andersonrobotics5608
      @andersonrobotics5608 5 років тому +11

      @@nothingtoseehere1221 i am the opposite, I think the weird mag although impractical today, looks quite cool

  • @Varangian11101
    @Varangian11101 6 років тому +14

    For any Canadians (my apologies if someone mentioned it) that magazine is legal in its unaltered form(32 rounds). Also extremely expensive.
    (a) is of the “snail-drum” type (schneckentrommel) that was originally designed or manufactured for use in a firearm that is a handgun known as the Parabellum-Pistol, System Borchardt-Luger, Model 1900, or “Luger”, or any variant or modified version of it, including the Model 1902, Model 1904 (Marine), Model 1904/06 (Marine), Model 1904/08 (Marine), Model 1906, Model 1908 and Model 1908 (Artillery) pistols;
    as per regulations in firearms act.

    • @ckl9390
      @ckl9390 7 місяців тому +1

      I'm unfamiliar with that particular exemption. I'm more familiar with rifle regulations though. I know about the exemption for the M-1 Garand being allowed to retain an 8-round en-block and the Lee-Enfield magazines being allowed to stay 10-rounds even though their magazines fit some full-autos. I'm a bit foggy about which retired Canadian military rifle has a 6-round magazine and is allowed to keep it.

    • @charlesdemers1197
      @charlesdemers1197 7 місяців тому

      @@ckl9390 The Ross Rifle, maybe?

  • @sauragnmon
    @sauragnmon 7 років тому +9

    Had these two thoughts come to mind a little bit ago. There's two potential reasons why the Striker and Firing Pin assembly is made separate from the bolt of the MP-18,I:
    1 - Maintenance. Germans tended to design things to last, and let's face it over several thousand firings, the point on the firing pin can wear down so it might not be as effective. Far cheaper and easier to mill that little bit instead of the whole bolt.
    2 - Safety. It makes sense in this instance but it takes a moment to explain. Bolt cycles back, past the sear, trigger is down so it keeps cycling. Bolt comes Forward, and the second it picks up the new round off the magazine, there's resistance against the firing pin, but it's not fixed, it retracts that slight gap into the bolt face, and remains like that until the round is seated firmly in the chamber, at which point the spring power behind the striker/pin kicks in and it punches forward to actually trigger the primer on the round.

  • @SafetyProMalta
    @SafetyProMalta 7 років тому +4

    Excellent video Ian. You can really see the next 50 years of SMG developments here.

  • @aries_9130
    @aries_9130 7 років тому +2

    That is a really, really nice example of the MP18. Beautiful gun and so iconic. Thank you!

  • @kingotime8977
    @kingotime8977 6 років тому +84

    "In WW1 everyone was right-handed"

    • @PhillipAmthor
      @PhillipAmthor 5 років тому +19

      Everything was good and everybody was right handed but then the fire nation attacked

    • @Lenn869
      @Lenn869 5 років тому

      Well yes.

    • @mikumicha7363
      @mikumicha7363 4 роки тому

      Underrated!

    • @cralixthegameking4408
      @cralixthegameking4408 4 роки тому

      Then that sniper helped tom hanks save that Pvt

  • @Igor_lvanov
    @Igor_lvanov 7 років тому +2

    Design is so simple and nice, and unusual magazine gives charm and personality to this gun. Beautiful weapon

  • @Sodom_and_Gomorrah
    @Sodom_and_Gomorrah 7 років тому +184

    FINNALY SOMEBODY MADE A VIDEO ON THE MP18

    • @MrBioniclefan1
      @MrBioniclefan1 7 років тому

      I know right

    • @simonm.1884
      @simonm.1884 6 років тому +2

      Because of shitfield 1?

    • @luger_Mann
      @luger_Mann 5 років тому

      Justinian 1 now we just need more firing videos

    • @davewest4020
      @davewest4020 5 років тому +4

      Mr. History that game wasnt even bad

    • @omartorres5688
      @omartorres5688 5 років тому

      Agreed now if Ian would do a comparison on the MP18 and 1928 Tommy gun plus a shooting test like the B.A.R and FG42

  • @troy9477
    @troy9477 7 років тому +2

    A new video posted on my birthday, and it's about the SMG that started it all! Life is good. Obviously the Luger drum mag needs to go. I never knew that was what they used. A double stack double feed mag in the 25-30 round capacity range is the clear way to go. Or single feed like a Sten if that is necessary for the side mount. A modern semiauto version with a 16" barrel would be a lot of fun and fairly practical as well. That one is in amazingly good condition. It must have sat in a police armory for many years with little use. Great video as always. Thank you

  • @calleb1594
    @calleb1594 7 років тому +213

    Would be really cool if you could do a video one the development of the mg 34 and mg 42. They have atlets two mg 34 and one mg 41 in this auction.

    • @calleb1594
      @calleb1594 7 років тому +5

      It Would also be really cool if you could do a video one the pps 43

    • @calleb1594
      @calleb1594 7 років тому +1

      deadfishbrohoof i know taths the largest diffrence but there also outher diffrences. The mg 34 has a rottating bolt. The mg 42 is a roller lock Gun . The fire rate is also diffrent.

    • @calleb1594
      @calleb1594 7 років тому +1

      Spencer King yea he kind of did. Not the development but he did a 3 videos about the tripod, trigger group and schooting with mg 34.com for many years ago

    • @DankbeastPaul
      @DankbeastPaul 7 років тому +11

      He actually already did a PPS43 video, it's gonna come out in a few days, it's patreon-only right now

    • @calleb1594
      @calleb1594 7 років тому +3

      Dankbeast Paul thank you for telling me. Can,t wait to see it.

  • @P7777-u7r
    @P7777-u7r 5 років тому +153

    Didnt soldiers "fix" the balance issues by holding it by the magazine?

    • @PhillipAmthor
      @PhillipAmthor 5 років тому +17

      Of course but its still strangely balanced because you cant comprehend the recoil as good as if you would hold it at the barrel directly

    • @simonh6371
      @simonh6371 5 років тому +8

      It would probably have led to stoppages, or indeed to you ending up with the magazine pulled out of the mag housing...because the action of the breech block (bolt) when fired on auto would tend to make it pull up and to the right, the same directon as where the empty casings fly out...this is at least what I was taught when trained on the Sterling SMG in the British Army, which we never held by the magazine. But holding around the barrel you had to be careful not to inadvertently put a finger in front of the muzzle as Sterlings are short and we were used to the SLR (FN FAL), our primary weapon, which is a much longer weapon

    • @baileyclifford2852
      @baileyclifford2852 4 роки тому +6

      @@simonh6371 Probably not so much on the mp-18, its got a pretty beefy magwell that had to support quite a bit of offset weight

    • @simonh6371
      @simonh6371 4 роки тому +1

      @@baileyclifford2852 Okay understood. I was just trying to be smart based on my experience using one smg with a side mag i.e. the Sterling SMG

    • @baileyclifford2852
      @baileyclifford2852 4 роки тому +1

      @@simonh6371 Don't take my word for it, i've never handled any SMG in my life, it was just theory

  • @antonioafonso6013
    @antonioafonso6013 5 років тому +91

    Germans:need an innovative weapon
    Schmeisser:This is where the fun begins

  • @theluiginoidperson1097
    @theluiginoidperson1097 3 роки тому +6

    11:35 The MP28, II was literally the MP18 version 2, its clear that they werent done with MP18 after its creation, and intended to update it soon in the future.

  • @BushcraftingBogan
    @BushcraftingBogan 5 років тому +5

    If I’m not mistaken, I just saw Mae loading one of these mags. I’m hoping to see more! Maybe who ever won this auction was a friend of ours and we get to see more of it.

  • @bongo6_462
    @bongo6_462 Рік тому +1

    I love how it disasembles

  • @mcmoose64
    @mcmoose64 2 роки тому +3

    It us amazing how little the basic design of the SMG has changed in the last 105 years !

  • @MaximilienRobespierre1
    @MaximilienRobespierre1 6 років тому

    Love your videos, a great source of education on weapons.

  • @Semigallia24
    @Semigallia24 7 років тому +290

    Just out of curiosity, can the early MP 18s take normal Luger magazines?

    • @ForgottenWeapons
      @ForgottenWeapons  7 років тому +310

      Yes.

    • @Matthew-np9fk
      @Matthew-np9fk 7 років тому +38

      Forgotten Weapons I wish I was old enough to buy one. And wealthy enough

    • @therideneverends1697
      @therideneverends1697 7 років тому +67

      thats a funny mental immage, this big ol SMG with a tiney pistol box mag sticking out of the side

    • @gihrenzabi7271
      @gihrenzabi7271 7 років тому +18

      single stack, of all things....

    • @therideneverends1697
      @therideneverends1697 7 років тому +17

      What can I say? I find contradictions to be jocose.
      you must be a very dry person to not find humor on the clashing nature of a nearly 10 pound pistol caliber weapon firing from a magazine of such Lilliputian size.

  • @blackunicorn374
    @blackunicorn374 5 років тому

    I can't get how some peeps can't look a video without starting a discussion about politics or about hating this or that or just flaming around. Comment sections are mostly a pain in the ass. By the way I appreciate the the efforts of Forgotten Weapons to show the technical aspect and firearms in a historical context. Thanks for that.

  • @faramund9865
    @faramund9865 6 років тому +6

    True German quality, gotta love the serial numbers on every single part!

  • @samuelyockey4611
    @samuelyockey4611 6 років тому +2

    This is my favourite gun of all time

  • @fredoriagaming4466
    @fredoriagaming4466 4 роки тому +7

    I have an ammo box from the Vietnam war and I showed it to my grandfather. He appreciated it and was interested in it. Sadly, he passed away today on 31 March 2020. He was 86 years of age.

  • @Astraeus..
    @Astraeus.. 5 місяців тому

    So what they should have done was mount that drum on the opposite side so that the bend was angled to the rear, then on the back face of it (the portion of the drum facing the rear) you mount a side-view mirror from a car. NOW you've got a guy who can shoot forward and watch his own back at the same damn time. Perfection! 👌👌👌

  • @dawnofjustice4689
    @dawnofjustice4689 5 років тому +13

    Hey Ian.
    I am from Germany and be kind of into guns for some time now.
    My idea for the I. is that it is the first model of this gun, but it was already in mind to do some upgrades.
    I can not confirm that theory but since it was really a very early design and had that... kind of weird magazin, I would guess that. Later it was done, but renamed as M-28 II., as far as I know.
    Greetings 😊

  • @powaybob45
    @powaybob45 7 років тому

    Fascinating history. Well done.

  • @Mikebuck7
    @Mikebuck7 6 років тому +3

    Thank you for making me feel better about how the soldiers are holding the weapon in BFV now ....

  • @Insanabiliter_In_Linea
    @Insanabiliter_In_Linea 7 років тому

    I was looking through your videos a while back for a video on this firearm and I was amazed you hadn't done one yet. I'm glad to see you've finally found one to mess with. The MP-18 and its variants have interested me for a very long time.

  • @Nukle0n
    @Nukle0n 7 років тому +83

    Wikipedia states that there was no regulations put on Germany on submachineguns, only full machineguns, citing "Cornish, Paul (2009). Machine Guns and the Great War. Pen & Sword Books Limited. ISBN 978-1848840478."
    "It is frequently repeated as fact that the Bergmann Muskete had so impressed the Allies during the 1918 campaign that they specifically banned its production and military issue. In fact no such prohibition appears in the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. Strict controls were placed on the production of fire arms - principally by means of severely limiting the number of companies permitted to manufacture war materials - Bergmann was not among them. With regard to military issue, the numbers and types of weapons permitted to the 100,000-man German Army were carefully stipulated. There is no mention whatsoever made of machine pistols, although every other weapon type (apart from pistols) is listed - from cavalry carbines to 105mm Howitzers. Given the care that was taken to lay down such specific restrictions, it would appear that, far from having impressed the Allies, the MP18 had not really registered on their consciousness at all. The fact that they were still unconvinced of the utility of such weapons on the eve of the Second World War would also suggest that the impact of the MP18 on the fighting of 1918 was marginal."

    • @fuzzydunlop7928
      @fuzzydunlop7928 6 років тому +5

      Were the Americans as unconvinced as the British famously were on the utility of sub-machine guns? I figured the Prohibition-era use of the weapons would've been convincing.

    • @twist3d537
      @twist3d537 6 років тому +5

      prohibition wasn't until 1920. 2 years after ww1

    • @itsconnorstime
      @itsconnorstime 5 років тому

      @@fuzzydunlop7928 yeah until ww2 broke out and they started buying the Thompson.

    • @omartorres5688
      @omartorres5688 5 років тому

      Surprised the U.S never brought these home or adopted them could been a cheaper alternative to the Tommy gun

    • @simaodocaminhao
      @simaodocaminhao 2 роки тому

      The Versaille Treaty provisions banned Germans from producing "automatic weapons" and this would have obviously included submachine guns.
      Having said that, all stock registered 10.000 MP18s from WWI were later officially distributed between German Police and newly-formed Reichswehr, but the Allies had no idea that Germans managed to produce further 25.000 MP18s and to subsequently hide them away before the Versailles Treaty provisions actually entered into force.
      Germans however secretly kept on developing, testing and producing various officially-banned weapons, including submachine guns, and so Schmeisser kept developing his gun for years to come in a secrecy up until 1935 when Nazi Germany officially rejected the Versailles Treaty provisions.

  • @miaking4006
    @miaking4006 5 років тому +2

    That chuckle got me too when he saw the serialized front sight XD

  • @schizoidboy
    @schizoidboy 7 років тому +7

    At West Point Museum they have a MP-18 in their submachinegun gallery along with the Italian Villar Parosa submachinegun. There is also a Luger with the drum magazine in the WWI gallery as well. Here's a bit of movie nitpicking on my part. In the Indiana Jones movies the Germans historically might have used the later versions of this submachinegun rather than the MP-38 and MP-40 machine pistols. (I may be wrong about the years those guns were issued.) Of course the MP-38/40 are better looking and probably easier to get then the MP-18 versions, though some were used in the Last Crusade movie.

  • @joaovictorcampos9392
    @joaovictorcampos9392 7 років тому +1

    Upon a quick google search i found there is a MP-18, II. It has tangent rear sights instead of V notches and the magazine well is perpendicular to the barrel, instead of 45 degrees.

  • @GeorgeWashington76
    @GeorgeWashington76 7 років тому +1556

    My great grandfather had one of these but the communists took it in 1946. :(

    • @l.o4456
      @l.o4456 7 років тому +24

      Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg Cool how he get it ? :)

    • @naturruran
      @naturruran 7 років тому +157

      Well, the warnings about fascists are not to be taken lightly just cause you hate antifa as well. Especially after Charlottesville. Not defending antifa at all. I don't like those guys either. But it was the KKK/Nazi scum that drove a car into a crowded street on american soil.
      Edit: If you're gonna pick sides, pick the one for the people. Not the one driven by extremists hate (antifa, KKK, Neo-nazis, jihadists, etc).

    • @krautandsalo
      @krautandsalo 7 років тому +294

      +Your Average Commie Productions
      As a German Russian Jew (ethnically, not religiously) let me tell you, both communism and fascism are equally bad.
      Stalin killed more people than Hitler. So did Mao.
      Antifa are a bunch of violent thugs, that destroy entire city blocks and get a raise out of burning down innocent peoples property. They are also the actual fascists of today.
      Being Anti AntiFa, has naught to do with being a villain, it's common sense.

    • @PostalPatriot556
      @PostalPatriot556 7 років тому +94

      Your Average Commie Productions fuckin commie.

    • @krautandsalo
      @krautandsalo 7 років тому +93

      +The Naturrutan
      Antifa burned down an entire city block in Hamburg.
      They're all violent assholes, but *right now* AntiFa is a worse threat to democracy than the right.
      However that can of course quickly change in the future.
      1919 in Germany it was the Commies that were the biggest threat to our young democracy. Obviously by 1923, in a mere 4 years that had changed with Hitler trying to seize power in Munich and consequently topple the federal government.
      What I'm trying to say is, yes the right is bad as well, and we shouldn't underestimate it, but currently we have bigger problems.

  • @snowflakezzonPC
    @snowflakezzonPC 7 років тому

    Amazing video as usual brotha. Best firearms channel out there!!!

  • @connorhagen5151
    @connorhagen5151 7 років тому +31

    This might be a dumb question but is it possible that Shmeiser designed the bolt+firing pin to be in two pieces because that would be easier to work with if he decided to put a semi auto mechanism into the next generation of designs?

    • @xmm-cf5eg
      @xmm-cf5eg 7 років тому +13

      I was thinking in case the firing pin broke.

    • @therideneverends1697
      @therideneverends1697 7 років тому +5

      I was thinking for maintenance or cleaning, but then again if it was one piece it wouldent need cleaning so who knows

    • @klausbrinck2137
      @klausbrinck2137 5 років тому

      MP28 really had a semiauto mode, but the pin-body is a different one... Surely had this in mind, but till the MP28 came out, he has re-designed the pin, so not exactly the same pin in MP28. Best would be a screw with the pin on the screwhead, cause cheap and easily changable with a screwdriver...

  • @Gojiro7
    @Gojiro7 Рік тому +1

    here's a question, would the gun have worked better if it was Top mounted (with off-set sights) rather then side mounted? so all that weight is pushing down on the gun instead of making it want to roll on you? and before you ask, obviously undermounting makes more sense, but I imagine a mag that awkward and heavy (when fully loaded) would have had even more trouble with feeding or outright falling out of the magwell entirely

  • @UnintentionalSubmarine
    @UnintentionalSubmarine 7 років тому +42

    Could the separate striker and bolt mechanism be because Schmeisser assumed/feared the striker itself to be too weak (it looked pretty beefy to me) due to various reasons and wanted an easy replacement system. A small rapid fire weapon (for the time) was a new thing, so the expectations of bigger, stronger things from rifles and MGs might have carried over?
    Today we would probably just get a new weapon in such a case and the damaged one would be sent back. But it looks like this one was made to higher tolerances and wasn't exactly an easily replaced weapon. That seems to be a more modern, or developed thing.

    • @thomasfox0
      @thomasfox0 7 років тому +7

      something Ian always said was the metalurgy of WW1 era metal is not great. so perhaps Schmeisser made them separate because they could break under the high volume of fire it could be exposed to

    • @InfectiousFight
      @InfectiousFight 7 років тому +12

      I actually studied the patent for the MP-18 not too long ago. If memory serves, it states that the purpose is so that the bolt can be gently lowered onto a live cartridge and carried around that way without risk of setting off the cartridge. As for replaceability...don't know, but I have a copy of a 1919 document specifying the initial training regimen for submachinegunners, and it shows that each crate of ammo should also contain a replacement mainspring, firing pin, and magazine loader.
      Edit: Translation: "The loose bearing of the firing pin in the bolt allows a cartridge located in the chamber to be removed without ignition by the slow-moving firing pin so far away that the extractor can grasp the cartridge and withdraw it." It honestly doesn't make much sense to me, either.

    • @sthenzel
      @sthenzel 7 років тому +10

      It perfectly makes sense!
      With a fixed firing pin lowering the bolt onto a live cartridge in the chamber for the extractor to catch it is not possible without putting a dent into the primer.
      With a separate firing pin this can be done.Other advantage:
      If a fixed pin wears off, changing it is either kind of too much work to be done under fire or simply not possible (like on the Sten).One could change the bolt, but this means providing a supply of heavy parts which require complex machining. The firing pin is light and easy to produce by the thousands.

    • @InfectiousFight
      @InfectiousFight 7 років тому +5

      I had been thinking "there's no point to carrying it with the bolt down on a live round when there's a safety catch to hold the bolt back", but then I realized that carrying it around with the bolt down is a lot less likely to get mud and dirt into the action than carrying it around in the rear position.

    • @mysss29
      @mysss29 7 років тому

      True, but having a live round in the chamber with the bolt down means it'll be ejected and discarded as soon as the bolt is moved back to cock the gun.

  • @amandamyers5169
    @amandamyers5169 7 років тому

    Great Channel. The MP18 is awsome. Really like this weapon

  • @naturallawprinciples
    @naturallawprinciples 4 роки тому +4

    Love this channel. Ian's knowledge literally spans time & space.
    And i curse the day i was born in the UK.....presently the average Brit is legally armed with a butter knife for self-defense.
    Its very sad.

    • @hededcdn
      @hededcdn 4 роки тому +1

      You're due for a revolution

    • @alexschenewerk7436
      @alexschenewerk7436 4 роки тому +2

      Youre very welcome to come to the lovely ozarks here in the beautiful state of Missouri withhold open arms! We have plenty of firearms here! And constitutional carry!

    • @naturallawprinciples
      @naturallawprinciples 4 роки тому

      @@hededcdn Looking at history i'd say we need evolution not revolution.

    • @naturallawprinciples
      @naturallawprinciples 4 роки тому +2

      @@alexschenewerk7436 Sir, i might just take you up on that offer.
      I spent 3 months working/travelling in the USA & it was amazing....lovely people, real friendly & very welcoming. ❤

    • @fromthebackseat4865
      @fromthebackseat4865 3 роки тому

      You might not be allowed to own guns, but at least you don’t go broke if you get sick. I’m an American, I own firearms, but tbh i would trade them in for free health insurance.

  • @dantrack1563
    @dantrack1563 7 років тому +1

    I've been waiting for this for so long now I can die a happy man

  • @Noxidsignorantia
    @Noxidsignorantia 7 років тому +212

    $13,000-$19,000 All I am going to say is thank fuck I am poor.

    • @H311fi5h
      @H311fi5h 7 років тому +28

      Isn't that remarkably low for such a rare gun that also is full-auto?

    • @tenhundredkills
      @tenhundredkills 7 років тому +7

      For a transferable machine gun, $19K really isn't all that much. I could definitely see this going for much higher.

    • @tenhundredkills
      @tenhundredkills 7 років тому +6

      I agree that $19k is fitting, but when comparing to other transferable machine guns, it's quite a deal. M16A1s can easily go for $25k. I've seen 1928 Thompsons for over $30k. Of course there a number of variables that dictate the crazy prices, but when comparing prices of all transferable MGs against one another, $19k is a pretty awesome price!
      Granted, I'm too poor to afford one anyway. Hell, just a quick look on Gunbroker and I found a pair of firing pins for $195! For comparison, I can get an AR15 firing pin for $10, lol!

    • @ThZuao
      @ThZuao 7 років тому

      The cheapest full auto transferable you can get goes for $8k. It's the M2 carbine.
      Like everyone else here, I'd like to say it's not that expensive. Not that I can ever afford it, but such rarities usually go for higher.
      Plus is 9mm Luger, now branded (and overpressured) as the 9x19mm parabellum, one of the most popular cartridges ever.
      Most people won't want to wear out their century old $20k relic, but there's always someone who will.

    • @MrBioniclefan1
      @MrBioniclefan1 7 років тому +1

      I was thinking $400,000

  • @anantimelrifle7769
    @anantimelrifle7769 2 роки тому

    Some sources say that the Beretta 1918 saw combat use a few months before the MP18.

  • @1992Tuomas
    @1992Tuomas 7 років тому +13

    Suomi kp31 is like perfected version of mp18.

  • @jmjedi923
    @jmjedi923 Рік тому

    God i would love one of these. The mags are so cool looking, thr wiod furniture and the barrel jacket are great.

  • @MrHalonoob117
    @MrHalonoob117 7 років тому +167

    Could this take a regular lugar magazine?

    • @boonamai8926
      @boonamai8926 7 років тому +66

      Halonoob 117 Yes.

    • @MrHalonoob117
      @MrHalonoob117 7 років тому +15

      Boonamai thanks

    • @lightbenderga2017
      @lightbenderga2017 7 років тому +2

      Halonoob 117 Yes it would

    • @zlikurac4840
      @zlikurac4840 7 років тому +1

      you have one ?

    • @Ashfielder
      @Ashfielder 7 років тому +34

      Halonoob 117 I think there's an account of a Sturmtruppen expending his 32 round magazines, and loading his 8 round Luger magazines after in desperation.

  • @Pyke64
    @Pyke64 7 років тому +1

    Such a beautiful weapon

  • @nope2788
    @nope2788 7 років тому +9

    We're back at Forgotten Bergmanns.

  • @DeusVult-nn8yq
    @DeusVult-nn8yq Рік тому +2

    I wonder why the Germans would complain about a shotgun, when they were the ones who designed the first, lightweight, assault-style weapon😂
    In my opinion, the MP-18 absolutely dominated the “Trench gun”

    • @CipiRipi-in7df
      @CipiRipi-in7df 3 місяці тому

      MP-18 came after Germans got tired and fed up complaining about shotguns. "OK, Tommies, Yanks, do you want to play dirty? Then let's play dirty!" 😆😆

    • @DeusVult-nn8yq
      @DeusVult-nn8yq 3 місяці тому +1

      @@CipiRipi-in7df if only they had developed it earlier in the war

  • @tehgreatvak
    @tehgreatvak 7 років тому +45

    we found it, the one gun where making it use glock mags would actually be an improvement

    • @secretbaguette
      @secretbaguette 3 роки тому +2

      One of these with a 32 round glock mag would be pretty cursed.

    • @blackghost1734
      @blackghost1734 3 роки тому +1

      33 round glock mag

  • @vetarlittorf1807
    @vetarlittorf1807 3 роки тому +1

    My favourite gun in Verdun. I always play for the Central Powers and always as a German shock trooper.

    • @simaodocaminhao
      @simaodocaminhao 2 роки тому

      In reality it had never seen action in actual Verdun battle (1916) but hey it's always cool to shoot one even if only in a virtual world.
      I, for one, sometimes used it in Necrovision, but it wasn't my favourite gun. The mag would empty too fast and reloading took ages. If I had a choice, I preferred 1897 Winchester pump-action rifle, the infamous "trench-sweeper".

  • @dannyhanny1191
    @dannyhanny1191 7 років тому +5

    9:45 - perhaps it's a two-piece just for striker replacement? Conjecture: War-time metallurgy problems might make it a known problem area that needed replaced on some MP18's, and carrying a smaller, lighter striker was advantageous compared to carrying a spare one-piece bolt. ... Later in the video you point out that every little bolt was serialized, so is the striker serialized? If not, that may be the indicator that it was deemed a replaceable part. There is certainly enough of it hanging out of the back of the bolt that there is area-enough to serialize it.

    • @dannyhanny1191
      @dannyhanny1191 7 років тому +2

      I'm surprised at the low expected selling price for this all-matching and nearly pristine example.

  • @oisinoneill7990
    @oisinoneill7990 7 років тому +1

    Ian this is the video we all wanted! Im just waiting for the Ribeyrolles and ill be happy!

    • @JackClockerinos
      @JackClockerinos 7 років тому +1

      Nobody knows if it was even built, let alone used.

  • @Deimos000
    @Deimos000 7 років тому +270

    Always the Germans. They rock ❤

    • @weisilber8957
      @weisilber8957 6 років тому +23

      Yeah your are right. The design was shit the gas bills where way to high for that time. They should have invented more efficient radiators.

    • @dieterdodel1974
      @dieterdodel1974 5 років тому +18

      @💯 Qwonklet 💯 ......did you know, that the americans invented the first Concentration camps? The Germans just copied that.
      ...."The first modern concentration camps in the United States were created in 1838".... source, wiki.
      simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentration_camp
      Every time I start a discussion about Andersonville with Americans, they try to put that into perspective and justify it. Ridiculous as they still think they are always "the good ones "..... Every Nation has a dark Past in History. Just ask people from all over the world who are the warmongers number one?
      Almost always you will get the same answers: USA and/or
      Pissrael.

    • @marine5323
      @marine5323 5 років тому +11

      @💯 Qwonklet 💯 You don't have to answer if you don't know what to say

    • @LordLuminor
      @LordLuminor 5 років тому +1

      Danke

    • @vincentrees4970
      @vincentrees4970 5 років тому +4

      @@dieterdodel1974 Actually Britain were the first, during the slave trade they stuck them in camps during interim sale periods, as well as PoWs went to camps

  • @kenhelmers2603
    @kenhelmers2603 7 років тому

    Very cool! Great simple engineering

  • @lunarpking
    @lunarpking 7 років тому +41

    Ian, have you ever come across an MP40 II?

    • @ForgottenWeapons
      @ForgottenWeapons  7 років тому +58

      I have seen a couple in museums, but not yet handled one. When I do, I will definitely do a video on it.

  • @FirstLast-fr4hb
    @FirstLast-fr4hb 7 років тому

    5:19 It baffles me how many people dont understand the trigger is a semi auto control function. When you let go of the trigger, it stops firing, its really pretty effective.

  • @doctorlove3536
    @doctorlove3536 7 років тому +42

    I like how you put the title "first true smg" thx

  • @Gillan1220
    @Gillan1220 5 років тому +1

    MP-18 has a special place in my heart

  • @pmp1337
    @pmp1337 5 років тому +6

    $19,550 is a bargain for such a relevant firearm. Anyone as some video on how the snail mag worked?

  • @lightbenderga2017
    @lightbenderga2017 7 років тому

    Finally you made a video about this great gun

  • @wesleyjarboe9571
    @wesleyjarboe9571 6 років тому +3

    Ian,
    I have really enjoyed your well researched and (mostly) extremely accurate videos. I do have to ask one question however.
    Where does the Versailles treaty mention the M18,I smg?
    I have not been able to find any reference to it. Germany was limited on the number of machine guns its army could have, but I have not been able to find any specific reference to the M18,I. That appears to be a myth, a widely believed myth, but a myth nonetheless.
    What have you found?

  • @Ensign_Cthulhu
    @Ensign_Cthulhu 7 років тому

    IIRC the Vilar Perosa was definitely first in the field but its tactical implementation was more in the manner of an LMG. So no, not the true father of the SMG as we know it today.
    This gun featured in the 1986 film "Biggles: The Untold Story", but they a-historically used straight magazines. Possibly they could not find snail-drums for it, or they wondered if the audience would understand what they were, but props to them for actually featuring the weapon.

  • @ironwolfF1
    @ironwolfF1 7 років тому +39

    The MP18 was also used by the Freikorps, the 'unofficial' German Army during the post-war period of civil unrest... basically putting down the communists (1919-22) and the 'soviets' they established.

    • @Lenn869
      @Lenn869 5 років тому +9

      @fantasticmoose imagine getting mad over internet politics lmao get a grip you little bitch.

    • @omartorres5688
      @omartorres5688 5 років тому

      @fantasticmoose Nazis were left wing like the commies

  • @robgreene1776
    @robgreene1776 7 років тому

    Thanks Ian, 'tis waaaay too cool !

  • @Mildcat743
    @Mildcat743 7 років тому +165

    Because my inner Battlefield 1 player keeps asking, is there any record of bayonets like the ones put on in BF1 or is that totally fictional?

    • @Calvin_Coolage
      @Calvin_Coolage 7 років тому +6

      Lucas Hagg I remember reading on IMFDB that it wasn't, but I might be wrong.

    • @MrKa_Rate
      @MrKa_Rate 7 років тому +75

      Lucas Hagg They didnt have any bayonets

    • @ravendrapratama372
      @ravendrapratama372 7 років тому +115

      most likely it's fictional,as the real firearm was intended for CQC and adding a bayonet would lengthen the weapon and therefore,would be an inconvenience for the stormtrooper

    • @MrKa_Rate
      @MrKa_Rate 7 років тому +2

      Lucas Hagg But its probably the closest to a real bayonet

    • @tillmannfischer
      @tillmannfischer 7 років тому +47

      +Lucas Hagg It's entirely fictional, the MP 18 didn't have any way to fasten a bayonet to it (as you can see in the video).

  • @theTF2sniper
    @theTF2sniper 7 років тому

    Great to see you finally got your hands on the real deal Ian!

  • @muttimerkel2706
    @muttimerkel2706 4 роки тому +29

    "Only about 3000 of these were actually used"
    EA: haha full Auto gun go brrrrr

  • @aserta
    @aserta 6 років тому

    I wish that Ian had the means and that collectors and museums would oblige in such a way that he could gather all the known variants and forms of a certain branch of firearm and make a huge presentation video about interesting dead ends in the evolution of a style of firearm. That would be ... very interesting to watch, nothing short of amazing.

  • @sheep6665
    @sheep6665 7 років тому +8

    I wonder if it would work with ordinary luger magazines. It should.

  • @agoogleaccount2861
    @agoogleaccount2861 3 роки тому

    If memory serves me correctly an old article stated that. The striker was changed out with a heavier or lighter striker unit ..for using pistol ammo vs smg specific ammunition

  • @ropeburn6684
    @ropeburn6684 5 років тому +27

    "So what we have here is in some ways fantastic, and in some ways really quite awkward." - Germany in one sentence ^____^;

  • @maddazza9557
    @maddazza9557 7 років тому

    Been waiting to see an MP18 video for a while :)

  • @diwi7659
    @diwi7659 6 років тому +21

    12:32 looks like Schmeisser put his website on the receiver

  • @jensenzack9666
    @jensenzack9666 7 років тому

    Forgotten Weapons and a title that says "submachine gun" = instant like.

  • @jacobhalczak
    @jacobhalczak 7 років тому +4

    Awesome! Nearly zero videos exist on the mp18

  • @rejmons1
    @rejmons1 6 років тому +1

    One of the conditions of the Versailles Treaty (Jun 1919) was: Germany must not produce any MP, and this one was produced in 1920... A bit strange. Second thing wchih is strange as well: the German headquarters ordered 50.000 of Hugo Schmeisser's MP-18,I. You say the last one wchih was produced to the end of war have got the serial number 17,677. In Bergnamm Factory they had circa 7.000 of MP18 in warehouses. They made circa 25.000 units. And this one have got the serial number 7386 and the date of production - 1920. It means - was produced two years after the end of war!

  • @MrBlonde294
    @MrBlonde294 7 років тому +5

    can you make a video about open bolt, closed bolt weapon and their pros and cons.

  • @karelzajic6065
    @karelzajic6065 4 роки тому

    I held a original magazine from this gun in my hand and it really felt like a piece of history. Really cool thing

  • @Kneong
    @Kneong 7 років тому +390

    the lack of battlefield comments gives me hope

    • @aliceakosota797
      @aliceakosota797 7 років тому +29

      verdun

    • @1234fivedude
      @1234fivedude 7 років тому +24

      not enough assualt players

    • @sjcm711
      @sjcm711 7 років тому +3

      Keegan G only downfall of him is
      *he comes late in the war*

    • @Baraka_Obama_
      @Baraka_Obama_ 7 років тому +25

      I’m here because of Battlefield 1

    • @andrewchapman1494
      @andrewchapman1494 7 років тому +70

      Does it really matter? Like that's super pretentious. BF players like myself are getting exposure to the history because the game garnered interest. Go put your head up your ass somewhere else

  • @daqt6079
    @daqt6079 6 років тому

    One of the coolest looking weapons ever.

  • @sirschamilott1474
    @sirschamilott1474 5 років тому +10

    Nice and now I change the magazin with the Luger.
    Mp18= 8 rounds
    P08= 32 Rounds
    I know the Luger Artillery had the 32 round magazins, but i would be fun to see a MP18 with 8 rounds

  • @jakelanier4042
    @jakelanier4042 7 років тому

    That's amazing that you got your hands on this. If you can get a hold of this, and a Nagant pistol, maybe do a Tokarev sometime?
    Amazing video.

  • @Penguinius
    @Penguinius 7 років тому +16

    Does anyone know if an MP18 will feed from a standard luger magazine? Just wondered if this would have been an emergency option for the user.

    • @BEZIMMIENY96
      @BEZIMMIENY96 7 років тому +1

      I was wondering too.

    • @skepticalbadger
      @skepticalbadger 7 років тому +4

      BEZIMMIENY96 It will, but you need the shim accessory used on the trommel mags to prevent over-insertion.

    • @kiliwami4086
      @kiliwami4086 7 років тому +1

      Yes, you could use it with a Luger magazine

  • @jackdipicche_
    @jackdipicche_ 7 років тому

    I've waited sooo long to see this!!!