Bergmann MP18

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	Weapon: Bergmann MP18 Type: Submachine Gun Country of Origin: Germany Year Adopted: 1918 Overall Length (mm): 815.0 Overall Length (in): 32.09 Weight (kg): 4.00 Weight (pounds): 8.82

The Bergmann MP18 was the world's first practical submachine gun, developed by Hugo Schmeisser and used by German forces during the closing months of World War I. Chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, the MP18 was designed to provide German stormtroopers with a lightweight, automatic weapon for close-quarters combat. It was a blowback-operated firearm that fed from a 32-round drum magazine, the same magazine used in the Luger P08 "Artillery" pistol.

Introduced in 1918, the MP18 saw limited use during World War I, primarily during the German Spring Offensive. It was highly effective in trench warfare, where its rapid-fire capability gave German troops an edge in close combat. Despite the war ending shortly after its introduction, the MP18 set the standard for submachine guns in the 20th century, influencing designs such as the British Sten and American Thompson.

Though it was eventually replaced by more modern designs, the Bergmann MP18 holds a special place in firearms history as the pioneer of submachine guns. Its influence on future automatic weapons was profound, and its basic operating principles remain in use in many modern submachine guns. The MP18's legacy continues to be celebrated by military historians and firearms enthusiasts alike.

Weapons of Imperial Germany Part 2