(Machine Pistol Model 36)
The Machine Pistol Model 36 was designed by Berthold Geipel of the Erfurter Maschinen und Werkzeugfabrik firm in 1935 in response to a joint Heer and Luftwaffe requirement for a light automatic weapon suitable for use by parachutists and vehicle crews of the expanding Panzertruppen. It drew upon earlier work of Heinrich Vollmer but was constructed primarily of stamped steel rather than machined parts, and employed electro-spot welding as much as possible. A handguard, made of a synthetic material derived from bakelite, is located between the magazine housing and the pistol grip. German soldiers are trained to grasp the handhold on the underside of the weapon to avoid burns from an overheated barrel.
While widely issued to Luftwaffe paratroopers, in the Heer issue is restricted to platoon and squad leaders, or to vehicle crews as a defence weapon should they be forced to abandon their vehicles. Proposals have been brought forward to expand the issue of the MP36 more widely throughout the Heer, though these have been resisted up to the present time. The weapon is currently in production and is available for export to friendly countries.
Three firms are presently engaged in executing Heer and Luftwaffe orders for the MP36:
Erfurter Maschinen und Werkzeugfabrik GmbH, Erfurt
C. G. Haenel Waffen und Fahrradfabrik KG, Suhl
Österreichische Waffenfabrik AG, Steyr