Description
Physical description
MP34/I smg
Label
This weapon was designed by Theodore Emil Bergmann, son of the owner of the Bergmann arms factory. It appeared in three variants, the Model 1932, Model 1934 and the Model 1935/1. The BMP32 was produced under license in Denmark but, in 1934, Walther began production of the BMP34 in Germany.
The BMP34 was unusual in having a magazine that fed from the right side of the gun - something that the maker claimed was ergonomically superior due to the firer never having to change the grip of his left hand on the forestock of the weapon. It also employed a turn-bolt cocking mechanism, with the cocking handle sited on the rear of the receiver.
The BMP34 was sold around the world during the latter half of the 1930s.This particular gun was purchased by Abyssinia prior to the Italian invasion and is accordingly stamped with a Lion of Judah crest. It probably came into British hands after liberation in 1940.
History note
The MP34 submachine gun was based on a 1918 design of the German company Rheinmetall. Banned from producing military weapons under the terms of the peace settlement, Rheinmetall secretly outsourced its research and development to the Solothurn company in Switzerland. The submachine-gun was perfected as the S-100. As Solothurn lacked the capacity for volume production, it reached an agreement with the Steyr arms company of Austria - forming the joint enterprise Steyr-Solothurn AG. The S-100 was sold as the Bergmann MP 34 to Portugal, Abyssinia and a number of South American countries.
This example was purchased by Abyssinia prior to the Italian invasion and is accordingly stamped with a Lion of Judah crest. It probably came into British hands after liberation in 1940. The painted mark implies original ownership by RSAF Pattern Room.
The MP34 was an expensive and high-quality product. It had two unusual features. First, the return spring lay in the butt, being connected to the bolt by a rod. Secondly the magazine housing featured an integral magazine-loading device.
Stamped on top of receiver
Original Bergmann Patent B.M.P.34.
Stamped on left side of receiver
Ethiopian Lion of Judah mark
Stamped right of receiver
693
Stamped on right of butt
IWM 807 over 46