The following report on the MP 34 submachine gun was published in Foreign Military Weapons and Equipment, Vol. III, Infantry Weapons, Pamphlet No. 30-7-4, Department of the Army, 1954.
9-mm Submachine Gun MP 34 (Steyr-Solothurn)
(MASCHINENPISTOLE MP 34)
This weapon was manufactured by both Austria and Germany during World War II. In the German Army it was used largely for rear-area troops. Prior to 1940, large numbers of this submachine gun were sold to Japan. It was replaced by the later and more advanced designs of submachine guns developed by the Germans. Models of this weapon stamped “MP 34 (o)” indicate that the weapon was issued for Austrian use and fired the long 9-mm Steyr cartridge. Models used by the Germans fire the 9-mm parabellum cartridge and were made with an attachment for mounting a bayonet on the right side of the barrel jacket.
Large numbers of these weapons were captured by the Soviets during World War II, and the satellite countries acquired many of these weapons at the end of the war. Some satellite countries probably still hold them in reserve stocks.
The MP34 can be recognized by: (1) The one-piece wooden stock; (2) the projecting magazine holder on the left side of the receiver; (3) the built-in magazine loading device on the top of the magazine holder; and (4) the type operating bolt handle found on bolt-action rifles.
RECOGNITION FEATURES
CHARACTERISTICS
System of operation Blowback, selective automatic and semiautomatic fire Caliber 9-mm (cal. .354) Weight: Gun without magazine 4.2 kg (9.3 lb) Gun with loaded 32-rd magazine 4.8 kg (10.2 lb) Length over-all 850-mm (33.5 in) Length of barrel 200-mm (7.8 in) Sights: Front Fixed blade Rear Leaf with open notch graduated to 500 meters in 100 meter increments Muzzle velocity 418 mps (aprx 1,371 fps) Effective rate of fire 90-120 rpm Effective range 200-m (220 yd, aprx) Ammunition Austrian 9-mm ball (Steyr),
German 9-mm Parabellum ball
