Scorpion SA Vz 61 submachine gun (Czechoslovakia / Czech Republic)

Scorpion SA Vz 61 submachine gun (Czechoslovakia / Czech Republic)

Scorpion SA Vz 61 submachine gun, with 10-round magazine. Shoulder stock folded

Scorpion SA Vz 61 submachine gun with shoulder stock unfolded

Scorpion SA Vz 68 - a rare version of the basic submachine gun produced for infantry use, chambered for 9x19 ammunition

Scorpion SA Vz 82 submachine gun, chambered for 9x18 PM ammunition

the last in Scorpion line - SA 361 submachine gun, chambered for 9x19 Luger / Parabellum ammunition

Caliber: 7.65x17mm (.32ACP) in vz.61; also 9x18mm Makarov in vz.82 and 9x17mm (.380ACP) in vz.83
Weight: 1.28 kg without magazine
Length (stock closed/open): 270 / 517 mm
Barrel length: 115 mm
Rate of fire: ca. 850 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 10 or 20 rounds
Effective range: 25 meters

The Scorpion submachine gun is an interesting little weapon which is somewhat hard to classify - is it a machine pistol (a full-automatic weapon for single-hand fire) or a submachine gun (also an automatic weapon, but for shoulder fire). Either way, there are pros and cons. Nevertheless, this weapon deserved its place in history of firearms. Its development was initiated in late 1950s, with intent to provide various non-infantry units with lightweight personal defense weapon that is more effective than a pistol, but is no more obtrusive. Another niche for Scorpion was use by various special forces, because the selected cartridge, known as 7,65x17 Browning / .32 ACP can be easily silenced. First prototypes of a new weapon were built in 1959, and official adoption followed in 1961, under designation of "Samopal Vzor 1961" (submachine gun model of 1961), or SA Vz.61 in short. This weapon was issued to various units in Czechoslovak army, and also widely exported. Licensed version of the Scorpion was produced in Yugoslavia, where it was widely issued as an military officer's sidearm. At least few Scorpions found its way to the hands of various terrorist groups, which favored it for its small size and ease of silencing. It also can be easily fired singe-handedly, like most pistols.
When Czechoslovak army adopted Soviet 9x18 PM pistol cartridge in 1982, the Scorpion was redesigned to accept this bigger and somewhat more powerful ammunition. Export versions of the new model, known in Czechoslovak service as SA Vz.82, were produced in 9x17 Browning / .380 ACP. The last versions of the Scorpion family were produced during early 1990s, and included "military-type" selective-fired SA 391 and "civilian" SA 91s, which was semi-automatic only. Either gun was chambered for 9x19 Luger / Parabellum ammunition. The SA 391 is still being offered to eligible buyers by famous CZ-UB factory.

Scorpion submachine gun is blowback operated weapon, with original rate-reducing mechanism. The rate reducer uses special sear which locks the bolt in the rearward position. A special plunger reciprocates down and up in the channel made within pistol grip. When bolt comes to its rearmost position, it strikes the plunger and then is locked by the sear. Plunger cycles inside its channel, and on its return trips the sear to release the bolt. This produces enough delay to slow down the cyclic rate of fire to reasonable 850 rounds per minute. The firing is controlled by the trigger unit with separate hammer and manual safety / fire selector which permits for single shots and full automatic fire. Cocking handle is made in the form of dual sliders, which are located on both sides of stamped steel upper receiver. The lower receiver, which hosts pistol grip, trigger unit and magazine, is made from machined steel.
Magazines are double stack, and capacity varies depending on the version and caliber (standard capacity is 10 or 20 rounds). Gun is fitted with folding shoulder stock, made from steel wire, and is usually issued with leather pistol-type holster and magazine pouches.

ZK-383 submachine gun (Czechoslovakia)

ZK-383 submachine gun (Czechoslovakia)

ZK-383 submachine gun, right side

ZK-383 submachine gun, left side

ZK-383P submachine gun; note that it has no facilities to mount a bipod

ZK-383H submachine gun of post-WW2 manufacture, with bottom-feed magazine that can be folded forward for carrying

Data for ZK-383 submachine gun

Caliber	9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight, empty	4.25 kg
Length (stock closed/open)	875 mm
Barrel length	325 mm
Rate of fire	500 or 700 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity	30 rounds
Effective range	250 meters

The ZK-383 submachine gun was developed during late 1930s by Czechoslovak arms designers brothers Koucky, who at the time worked at the Zbrojovka Brno arms factory. Produced since 1938, this submachine gun was exported to certain smaller European countries, as well as to Latin America (most notably the Venezuela and Bolivia). Production of the ZK-383 continued at Brno during German occupation, with most wartime guns being  supplied to German Waffen-SS troops and occupation police forces. The ZK-383 was also briefly produced after the war, before being replaced in production with more modern and compact weapons such as Cz. Vz.48 / Sa 23. One of most notable European users of ZK-383 was the Bulgarian army, which used these guns until about 1966. The ZK-383 is an interesting weapon because it was initially developed more like a squad support weapon rather than an individual weapon - it was heavy, solidly made, and capable of some serious firepower (considering the pistol ammunition used, of cause). It was also fitted with 'long range' rifle type sights and integral folding bipod. there also were two later versions of the ZK-383 - the 'Police' ZK-383P which had no bipod, and post-war ZK-383H which also had no bipod and had folding forward magazine housing below the receiver (rather than fixed housing on the left side). Total production of all three versions of ZK-383 is estimated as no less than 20,000 guns.

The ZK-383 submachine gun is blowback operated, selective fired weapon. Unlike most other submachine guns, it had a quick-detachable barrel, with barrel lock / release mechanism located in the front sight base, at the front of the barrel jacket.ZK-383 fired from open bolt, and featured removable bolt weight which, when removed, increased cyclic rate of fire from about 500 to roughly 700 rounds per minute. Feed was from box magazines, inserted from the left side, with magazine slightly canted down, ejection was to the right. Manual safety was made in the form of the cross-bolt button located above the trigger, and fire mode selector was located on the left side of the receiver, above and to the front of the trigger. Gun was quipped with two-piece wooden stock and folding bipod, which was attached to the barrel jacket. When folded, bipod was partly concealed within the cut made in the bottom of the forend. Sights were adjustable for range between 50 and 600 meters.

Type 05 5.8mm / JS 9mm submachine gun (PR China)

Type 05 5.8mm / JS 9mm submachine gun (PR China)

Military issue Type 05 submachine gun, caliber 5.8x21mm

Police-type JS submachine gun, caliber 9x19mm, fitted with telescope sight and detachable silencer

	Type 05	JS (Jian She)
Caliber	5.8x21mm DAP92-5.8	9x19mm DAP92-9 (9mm Luger/Para)
Weight	2.2 kg empty	2.1 kg empty
Length	500 mm	450 mm
Barrel length	n/a	n/a
Rate of fire	n/a	n/a
Magazine capacity	50 rounds	30 rounds
Effective range	150-200 m	100-150 m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Type 05 submachine gun is the join development of the PLA's 208 Research Institute and Jian She Group. This design won the Compact Submachine gun trials initiated by PLA in early 1990s, and is intended to replace earlier weapons in service with PLA, such as Type 85 silenced submachine gun. Externally resembling the new Chinese assault rifle, the QBZ-95, the Type 05 is much simpler design internally. For military use it is produced in the new Chinese 5.8mm caliber, chambered for 5.8x21 DAP92-5.8 cartridge, which is loaded with pointed, armor piercing bullets; subsonic loadings also available for use with detachable silencer. For police use and commercial export sales, Jian She Group also produced a 9mm version of the Type 05, generally known as JS submachine gun. This weapon is similar in design to its military brother but uses standard Picatinny rail instead of carrying handle, and also uses commonly available 9mm magazines compatible with famous German HK MP5 submachine gun.

Type 05 submachine gun is blowback operated weapon that fires from open bolt. Gun is made in bullpup configuration, with compact aluminium receiver and separate polymer shoulder stock / housing and pistol grip / trigger units. Safety / fire mode selector switch is located above the pistol grip, and allows for single shots, 3-round bursts and full automatic fire; charging handle is located at the top of the receiver, inside the carrying handle on Type 05 submachine guns, and on the right side on the JS 9mm submachine gun. Both weapons also fitted with automated grip safety. Despite the bullpup design, ejection is possible only to the right side, so firing from the left shoulder is seems to be impossible or art least dangerous for the shooter. Type 05 submachine guns are fitted with open sights and with proprietary scope mounts at the top of carrying handle; JS submachine guns have no open sights and fitted with Picatinny rail at the top of the receiver which can accept various types of sighting equipment. Either weapon can be equipped with detachable optional silencer. Military issue Type 05 submachine guns are fed from proprietary four-row box magazines that hold 50 rounds of 5.8mm ammunition; JS submachine guns use two-row 30-round box magazines compatible with HK MP5.

Special thanks to Timothy Yan for detailed information on this weapon. 

Type 79 submachine gun (PR China)

Type 79 submachine gun (PR China)

Caliber: 7.62x25mm TT
Weight: 1.9 kg empty
Length (stock closed/open): 470 / 740 mm
Barrel length: n/a
Rate of fire: 500 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 20 rounds
Effective range: 100-150 meters

Type 79 submachine gun is rather unusual for its class as it is very lightweight and uses locked breech, gas operated action instead of more traditional (for SMG) blowback action. This weapon was (and probably still is) widely used by PAP (Chinese police).

Type 79 submachine gun uses gas operated, rotary bolt action with short stroke gas piston, located above the barrel. Bolt group is more or less an adaptation of the Type 56 (AK) assault rifle, with similar bolt carrier (less gas piston) and a rotary bolt with two locking lugs. Receiver is made from steel stampings. Fire mode selector / safety switch is also patterned after Type 56 (AK) assault rifle, and allows for single shots and full automatic fire. Type 79 fires from closed bolt and uses conventional hammer-fired mechanism. Box magazines hold only 20 rounds of ammunition. Shoulder stock is made from stamped steel and folds up and forward when not in use.

Vigneron M2 submachine gun (Belgium)

Vigneron M2 submachine gun (Belgium)

Vigneron M2 submachine gun, right side

Vigneron M2 submachine gun, left side

Caliber	9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight	3,28 kg empty
Length (stock closed/open)	695 / 872 mm
Barrel length	300 mm
Rate of fire	620 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity	32 rounds
Effective range	100 meters

The Vigneron submachine gun was developed during early fifties by the officer of the Belgian army and produced by Belgian company Precision Liegoise SA. It was adopted by Belgian army in 1953, and saw some combat in then-Belgian Congo. Vigneron submachine gun was quite conventional in design and appearance, and not much more can be told about this weapon.

Vigneron submachine gun is blowback operated, selective fired weapon which fires from open bolt. Fire mode selector / safety switch is located on the left side of the grip, just behind the trigger. It is interesting that in full automatic mode short pull on the trigger will still, produce single shots, and only a long pull will produce full automatic fire. Additional automated safety is built into the backstrap of the pistol grip. Cocking handle is located on the left side of the receiver, and is stationary when gun is fired. Ejection port has a spring-loaded dust cover. Barrel is relatively long and has two ports just behind the front sight base, which serve as a muzzle rise compensator. Sights are fixed, with rear aperture set for 50 meters range. Stock is made from steel wire and is retractable, with several positions so shooter can adjust it to his own preferences. 

Steyr - Solothurn S1-100 / MP-34 submachine gun (Switzerland / Austria)

Steyr - Solothurn S1-100 / MP-34 submachine gun (Switzerland / Austria)

Steyr MP-34 submachine gun, left side

Steyr MP-34 submachine gun, right side

Steyr MP-34 partially disassembled

Drawing from original patent, covering S1-100 integral magazine loading device

Caliber	9x19mm Luger / Parabellum, 9x23 Steyr, 9x25 Mauser Export
Weight	4,25 kg empty
Length	850 mm
Barrel length	200 mm
Rate of fire	400-500 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity	32 rounds
Effective range	150-200 meters

The story of this weapon start in around 1919, when German arms-making company Rheinmetall produced a prototype submachine gun designated MP.19. This weapon was developed by Lous Stange to same specifications as Schmeisser's MP.18/I, but MP.19 came too late to see any action during WW1. After the end of WW1, Germany was severely limited in design and production of small arms by treaty of Versailles. When Hitler came into power, German military-oriented companies began to move the R&D outside of Germany to avoid treaty limitations. In 1929, Rheinmetall purchased the small Swiss-based company Wafenfabrik Solothurn, which was used to finalize some Rheinmetall small arms which were developed under secrecy in Germany. One of those weapons was an improved version of MP.19 submachine gun, which was announced by Waffenfabrik Solothurn under company index "S1-100". This was an excellent weapon, reliable, controllable and accurate, but Solothurn company lacked production capabilities. To make guns on industrial scale, Solothurn teamed with famous Austrian gun-making company Waffenfabrik Steyr, and formed trade company Steyr-Solothurn Waffen AG in Zurich, Switzerland. This company sold weapons designed by Rheinmetall and Solothurn and made by Steyr, and S1-100 submachine gun was among first products of this international conglomerated. In the 1930 Austrian police adopts the S1-100 as Steyr MP.30, chambered for standard Austrian 9x23 Steyr pistol cartridge. It was also exported to Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay and El Salvador; it also was sold in limited numbers to China, in 7,63x25 Mauser caliber. Portugal adopted the S1-100 in 7,65x22 Luger caliber in 1938, and in 1942 purchased more S1-100's from Steyr but this time in 9x19 Luger. For South American markets, Steyr produced version of S1-100 in .45ACP caliber; this version was distinguished by additional pistol grip under the forearm. Austrian army adopted the S1-100 as Steyr MP.34, chambered for powerful 9x25 Mauser ammunition. When Hitler's Germany occupied Austria in 1938, it quickly consumed most of Austrian MP.30's and MP.34's, and after rebarreling to 9x19 ammunition these weapons were issued to German troops as MP.34(ö). Production of Steyr-Solothurn submachine guns has ceased in around 1940, when, under German administration, it was replaced in production at Steyr by much simpler and less expensive MP-40 submachine gun of German design. It must be noted that S1-100 was one of the finest submachine guns made prior to WW2, and probably one of most expensive.

Steyr-Solothurn S1-100 submachine gun was blowback operated, selective-fired weapon which fired from open bolt. Unlike most other submachine guns, the return spring was located in the buttstock and was linked to bolt via long push-rod, pivotally attached to the rear of the bolt. The basic action of the gun was accessible through the top cover, which was hinged at the front and opened up and forward to expose bolt and trigger unit below it. The fire mode selector was made in the form of a sliding switch, located at the left side of the stock. Early guns had Schmeisser-style bolt-locking safety in the form of hook-shaped cut which was used to engage the bolt handle when bolt was cocked. Later on, additional manual safety was added to the top cover, in front of the rear sight. this safety locked bolt either in cocked or closed position. The feed was from left side, with magazine housing slightly canted forward for more positive feeding Ejection was to the right. The magazine housing had an unusual magazine filler device, with slots for magazine at the bottom and for stripper clip - at the top. removed magazine was inserted into this device from the bottom, and then shooter placed stripper clips into the top of device and pushed cartridges down into magazine. Four standard 8-round clips were required to fill the magazine.
All S1-100 guns were fitted with wooden stock with semi-pistol grip. Barrel was enclosed into perforated jacket, which had provisions for mounting a bayonet. Sights included hooded front and tangent type rear, marked from 100 to 500 meters. One most unusual accessory, which was briefly advertised for S1-100 during mid-1930s, was a compact machine-gun type tripod, which was to provide additional stability for weapon when firing from ground. It seems that this tripod was never made in quantity.

F1 submachine gun (Australia)

F1 submachine gun (Australia)

Caliber: 9x19mm Luger/Para
Weight: 3.26 kg unloaded
Length: 715 mm
Barrel length: 203 mm
Rate of fire: 600 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 34 rounds
Effective range: 100-200 meters

The F1 submachine gun has been designed at the Australian Lithgow Small Arms Factory by 1962. Originally known as X-3 prototype, it appeared in 1962 as possible replacement for obsolete and aging Owen submachine guns. It was adopted as F1 by mid-sixties, and served well until late eighties, when it was officially replaced by the 5.56mm F88 assault rifle, a license-made version of Steyr AUG. F1 was simple, reliable and popular weapon.

F1 submachine gun is blowback operated, selective fired weapon which fires from open bolt. It uses tubular receiver with top-mounted magazine. Cocking handle is set at the left side of weapon, and does not reciprocate when gun is fired. Its slot is covered by sliding dust cover. Weapon is made in so-called in-line layout, and the front of the buttstock slides over the rear of the receiver, and is fixed there by special catch. For disassembly, gun is unloaded, then catch is pressed and buttstock pulled off the receiver toward the rear; then, bolt and return spring are removed. Sights are of fixed type, and due to top-mounted magazine are offset to the left. Rear sight is made folding for more comfortable carry. Unlike many other submachine guns, F1 can be fitted with standard rifle bayonet, which is attached to the right of the perforated barrel jacket.

Owen machine carbine / submachine gun (Australia)

Owen machine carbine / submachine gun (Australia)

Owen 32ACP prototype submachine gun (1940)

Owen .45ACP prototype submachine gun (1941)

Owen Mk.1-43 submachine gun in camouflage paint

Owen Mk.1-42 submachine gun, field stripped

Caliber: 9x19mm Luger/Para
Weight: 4.22 kg unloaded
Length: 813 mm
Barrel length: 247 mm
Rate of fire: 700 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 32 rounds
Effective range: 100-200 meters

Evelyn Owen, an Australian, developed his first automatic weapon, chambered for .22LR cartridge, by 1939, and offered it to Australian army. This weapon was a strange-looking revolver-type contraption with fixed "cylinder" instead of magazine, and thumb-operated trigger. However, by 1940 Owen produced its next design, in somewhat more potent (but still relatively mild) .32ACP / 7.65x17 Browning cartridge. This was more "usual" weapon, with traditional trigger, dual pistol grips and detachable box magazine, inserted under the receiver and inclined rearward and to the left. By 1941, Owen produced several more prototypes, chambered in .45ACP, 9mm Luger and even .38 Special revolver cartridges; this work was done at Lysaghts Newcastle Works in New South Wales, Australia. 9mm prototype, made by Lysaghts, was tested against Thompson and Sten submachine guns, and found superior to both. Adopted in 1942, this gun was manufactured until 1945 in three basic versions, Mark 1-42, Mark 1-43 (or Mark 1 Wood butt), and Mark 2. About 45 000 Owen SMGs were made by Lysaghts, and these remained in service with Australian forces until 1960s, through World War 2, Korean and Vietnam wars. In general, these weapons were well liked by soldiers due to their robustness, reliability and simplicity. The only downside of Owen SMG was its somewhat heavy weight.

Owen submachine guns are blowback operated, top-fed weapons that fired from open bolt. Receiver is of tubular shape, with the bolt body separated from the cocking handle by the small bulkhead inside. This precluded the dirt to enter the receiver area through the cocking handle slot, but also required the barrel to be made removable, as the bolt and return spring were pulled forward out of receiver. Barrel was held in place by simple latch, located at the front of the receiver, ahead of the magazine housing. Muzzle was equipped with recoil compensator. Pistol grips were made from wood, detachable buttstock was made of steel wire on Mk.1-42 Owens and from wood on later models. Due to the top mounted magazine, fixed sights were offset to the left.

AUSTEN submachine gun (Australia)

AUSTEN submachine gun (Australia)

AUSTEN submachine gun

Caliber	9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight	3.98 kg
Length (stock closed/open)	552 / 732 mm
Barrel length	198 mm
Rate of fire	500 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity	30 rounds

AUSTEN submachine gun (machine carbine in contemporary terminology) was an urgent development, carried in Australia during earlier stages of World War 2 in the anticipation of possible Japanese invasion. It was based on British STEN submachine gun (the AUSTEN means Australian STEN), although some features (i.e. return spring guide, pistol grip and underfolding stock) were copied from the German MP40. About 20 thousands of AUSTEN Mk.1 submachine guns were manufactured during the WW2, but it was unable to achieve popularity of its main domestic rival, the Owen submachine gun, as the Owen was much more reliable, especially under the extreme environmental conditions of jungle warfare.

The AUSTEN submachine gun is a simple blowback weapon, firing from open bolt in semi-automatic or full automatic modes. The return spring is located insite the telescoping tubular guide, as in the German MP40. The fire mode selector is located on the right side of the trigger housing, above the trigger guard. The STEN-type box magazine is inserted horizontally from the left, ejection is to the right. AUSTEN submachine gun is equipped with two pistol grips and an underfolding metallic buttstock. The struts of the buttstock are hollow and hold inside a small screwdriver and a cleaning rod. The sights are of simple design, and not adjustable for range.

K6-92 / Borz submachine gun (Armenia / Russia)

K6-92 / Borz submachine gun (Armenia / Russia)

K6-92 / Borz submachine gun

Caliber	9x18 Makarov PM
Weight	1.96 kg
Length (stock closed/open)	370 / 700 mm
Barrel length	150 mm
Rate of fire	? rounds per minute
Magazine capacity	17, 25 or 30 rounds

The K6-92 submachine gun was developed during early 1990s in the republic of Armenia, which gained its independence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. At the time Armenia was engaged in the local conflict with Azerbaijan (another ex-USSR republic), and was in desperate need for small arms. The submachine gun is one of the simplest automatic arms to design and manufacture, so Armenian engineers quickly developed a straightforward weapon, which can be easily manufactured by almost any mechanical workshop.
Later on, more than few K6-92 submachine guns made its way through the borders into the Chechen republic, the most turbulent part of the Russia. During mid-1990s Chechnya was heavily infested with separatists, Islamic extremists and other kinds of bandits, which found submachine guns to be convenient weapons for urban fighting. Separatist Chechen government attempted to produce a "local" copy of the K6-92 at one of machine-building factories in the city of Groznyj, but very few were made there due to production problems and quality issues. Chechen-made copies of the K6-92 submachine gun are usually referred to as "Borz" (which means "wolf" in Chechen language). It also must be noted, however, that underground workshops, run by separatist forces, also made some "generic" crudely made submachine guns, generally known under the same name (Borz). These "homemade" submachine guns can be distinguished by tubular receiver and extremely poor fit and finish. Overall, the K6-92 submachine guns are reported as crude arms, suitable mostly for close combat. Over last two decades, plenty of these submachine guns turned up in Russia and other former USSR states during various crimes of violence and illegal arms trafficking.

The K6-92 submachine gun is a simple blowback operated weapon  that fires from open bolt. Receiver is made from steel stampings, welded together. Cocking handle is located at the top, safety / fire mode selector is located at the left side of the gun, above the trigger guard. Gun can be fired in single shots or in full automatic. It is fitted with plastic pistol grip and a top-folding metallic buttstock.

Halcon ML-63 submachine gun (Argentine)

Halcon ML-63 submachine gun (Argentine)

Halcon ML-63 submachine gun

Caliber	9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight	3.6 kg
Length (stock closed/open)	500 / 690 mm
Barrel length	170 mm
Rate of fire	600 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity	20 or 42 rounds

Halcon ML-63 submachine gun (Pistola ametralladora Halcón, Modelo Liviano 1963) was developed in 1963 by Argentinean arms-making company Fabrica de Armas Halcon. This weapon saw extensive use by Argentinean armed forces during conflict with Great Britain over Falkland islands. It was also used by Argentinean police until early 1990s.

Halcon ML-63 submachine gun is a simple blowback weapon that fires from closed bolt.It has a sliding "hammer' or striker, which is cocked when bolt closes, and is released when trigger is pressed. It has dual trigger setup, which allows to fire either single shots (front trigger) or full automatic (rear trigger). Charging handle is located on the right side and moves along with the bolt. Weapon is manufactured mostly from steel stampings, and fitted with plain barrel that has a massive muzzle compensator. Magazine housing is extended to provide comfortable forward grip for non-firing hand.  Halcon ML-63 submachine gun was usually equipped with simple telescoping buttstock, made of steel wire, although it can be replaced with detachable fixed wooden butt. Standard iron sights feature L-shaped flip-up rear sight with settings for 50 and 100 meters range.

Halcon M/943 submachine gun (Argentine)

Halcon M/943 submachine gun (Argentine)

Halcon M/943 submachine gun

Caliber	.45ACP
Weight	4.05 kg
Length	850 mm
Barrel length	292 mm
Rate of fire	700 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity	17 or 30 rounds

Halcon M/943 submachine gun (Pistola ametralladora Halcón, modelo 1943) was developed by Argentinean arms-making company Fabrica de Armas Halcon. It was manufactured for Argentinean army and police; lighter and more compact variant of the same weapon was manufactured as Halcon M/946 for Argentinean Air Forces (Carabina ametralladora Halcón, modelo Aeronáutica Argentina 1946). This weapon is rarely encountered outside of South America.

The Halcon M/943 submachine gun is a simple blowback weapon that fires from open bolt. Weapon can fire single shots and full automatic, thanks to the fire mode selector, located on the left side above the trigger. Charging handle is also located on the left side and does not move when gun is fired. Halcon M/943 submachine gun is fitted with heavily finned barrel and a massive muzzle compensator, and has a wooden pistol grip / buttstock of peculiar shape. The Halcon M/946 submachine gun wass similar in design except that it had a shorter barrel and a MP40-type underfolding buttstock

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History of military helmets

History of military helmets

A "Brodie helmet" used by British Commonwealth officers in both World Wars and by US forces mainly in the First.

Helmets are known to have been worn by Ancient Greeks and Romans, throughout the middle Ages, and up to the end of the 1600s by many combatants. At that time, they were purely military equipment, protecting the head from blows, swords, arrows, (low-velocity) musket fire and similar risks. Some helmets had a sort of extension made of leather strips called pteruges to protect the neck, particularly common in the Middle East.

Helmets were first made of boar's tusk and leather, then bronze and iron during the Bronze and Iron Ages, but soon came to be made entirely from forged steel in many societies after about 950A.D. Military use of helmets declined after 1670, and rifled firearms ended their use by foot soldiers after 1700. By the 18th century cavalry units, who protected their bodies with steel cuirasses, frequently wore metal skull protectors under their hats, called "secrets".

The Napoleonic era saw ornate cavalry helmets reintroduced for cuirassiers and dragoons in some armies; they continued to be used by French forces during World War I as late as 1915, when they were replaced by the new French Adrian helmet. Ornate helmets were soon replaced by functional steel helmets by warring nations.

The Prussian Pickelhaube spiked helmet offered almost no protection from the heavy artillery used during World War I, and in 1916 was replaced by the German steel helmet, or Stahlhelm. World War I and its increased use of heavy artillery had renewed the need for steel helmets, which were quickly introduced by all the combatant nations for their foot soldiers. In the 20th century steel helmets offered protection for the head from shrapnel and spent, or glancing, bullets.

Today's armed services often use high-quality helmets made of ballistic materials such as Kevlar, which have excellent bullet and fragment stopping power. Some helmets also have good non-ballistic protective qualities to protect the wearer from non-ballistic injuries, such as concussive shock waves from explosions, motor vehicle incidents, and falls. Military helmets can be worn with radio earmuffs, and other equipment such as night vision goggles can be added. Military helmets are often worn with a removable cotton-polyester helmet cover, which allows the user to change the pattern of the camouflage (e.g., from dark green forest camouflage to tan-coloured desert camouflage).