Firearms Curiosa

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British prototypes

BIWARIP
Biwarip machine-carbine
 Year(s):
1938		 Cartridge: 9x19mm Weight:
5.1lb		 Length:
26in		 Magazine:
30 rounds		 Designer(s):
N/A		 Manufacturer:
N/A
Notes:
Very light, difficult to control in full-automatic fire, possible inspiration for the STEN and Patchett gun
BSA-ANDREWS
BSA-Andrews
 Year(s):
1943		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
6.2lb		 Length:
25in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Mr. Andrews		 Manufacturer:
Birmingham Small Arms Company		 Notes:
Folding pistol grip, extra mag could be used as shoulder stock
BSA
BSA Mk.I
 Year(s):
1945
 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
6.8lb		 Length:
27in		 Magazine:
30 rounds		 Designer(s):
N/A		 Manufacturer:
Birmingham Small Arms Company		 Notes:
Cocked by sliding the fore-end forward and back again, folding mag housing
BSA
BSA Mk.II		 Year(s):
1947		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
6.8lb		 Length:
27in		 Magazine:
30 rounds		 Designer(s):
N/A		 Manufacturer:
Birmingham Small Arms Company		 Notes:
Redesigned fore-end and curved magazine
BSA
BSA Mk.III		 Year(s):
1951		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
6.8lb		 Length:
27in		 Magazine:
30 rounds		 Designer(s):
N/A		 Manufacturer:
Birmingham Small Arms Company		 Notes:
Redesigned fore-end and bayonet fittings
NIA
Dawson & Buckingham SMLE		 Year(s):
1918		 Cartridge:
.303		 Weight:
11lb		 Length:
44in		 Magazine:
10 rounds		 Designer(s):
Joseph Dawson and Hiram Buckingham		 Manufacturer:
N/A		 Notes:
SMLE with gas tube attached to bolt, converted for automatic fire
DINELY
Dinely machine-carbine		 Year(s):
1938		 Cartridge:
.32 ACP		 Weight:
8.2lb		 Length:
27in		 Magazine:
N/A		 Designer(s):
Mark Dinely		 Manufacturer:
N/A		 Notes:
Barrel made from sawn-off Ross rifle barrel
FRANCIS
Francis self-loading carbine		 Year(s):
1943		 Cartridge:
7.63mm		 Weight:
8lb		 Length:
32in
 Magazine:
12 rounds		 Designer(s):
Howard Francis		 Manufacturer:
N/A		 Notes:
SMLE rifle converted for semi-automatic fire, exhibited feeding problems
HOWELL
Howell automatic rifle		 Year(s):
1918		 Cartridge:
.303		 Weight:
11lb		 Length:
44in		 Magazine:
10 rounds		 Designer(s):
Mr. N. Howell		 Manufacturer:
Birmingham Small Arms Company		 Notes:
SMLE with gas tube attached to bolt, converted for automatic fire
JUREK
Jurek Mk.I		 Year(s):
1945		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
5.4lb		 Length:
21in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Marian Jurek		 Manufacturer:
  Marian Jurek		 Notes:
Modified after the war and sold to Services Armament Co. in the USA
JUREK
Jurek Mk.II		 Year(s):
1945		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
5.5lb		 Length:
17in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Marian Jurek		 Manufacturer:
  Marian Jurek		 Notes:
Modified after the war and sold to Services Armament Co. in the USA
LANCHESTER
Lanchester Model 1
 Year(s):
1940
 Cartridge:
9x19mm
 Weight:
6.7lb
 Length:
20in
 Magazine:
32 rounds
 Designer(s):
George Lanchester		 Manufacturer:
Sterling Armaments Corporation		 Notes:
Stripped-down version of the Lanchester Mk.I
LANCHESTER
Lanchester Model 2
 Year(s):
1940
 Cartridge:
9x19mm
 Weight:
6.5lb
 Length:
31in
 Magazine:
32 rounds
 Designer(s):
George Lanchester		 Manufacturer:
Sterling Armaments Corporation		 Notes:
Improved safety mechanism and left-hand cocking
MCEM
MCEM-1
 Year(s):
1942
 Cartridge:
9x19mm
 Weight:
6.4lb
 Length:
25in
 Magazine:
30 rounds
 Designer(s):
Harold Turpin		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
Modified STEN trigger mechanism, twin magazines welded together
MCEM
MCEM-2
 Year(s):
1942
Cartridge:
9x19mm
 Weight:
5.0lb		 Length:
14in		 Magazine:
18 rounds		 Designer(s):
Jerzey Podsenkowski		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
MCEM
MCEM-3		 Year(s):
1945
 Cartridge:
9x19mm
 Weight:
7.5lb
 Length:
28in
 Magazine:
20 rounds
 Designer(s):
Harold Turpin		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
Improved model of MCEM-1, added bayonet fittings
NIA
MCEM-4		 Year(s):
1945
 Cartridge:
9x19mm
 Weight:
N/A
 Length:
N/A
 Magazine:
N/A
 Designer(s):
Lt. Kulikowski		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
Trialed with suppressor
NIA
MCEM-5		 Year(s):
1945		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
N/A		 Length:
N/A		 Magazine:
N/A		 Designer(s):
Mr. Sparc?		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
Very little known about weapon
MCEM
MCEM-6
 Year(s):
1945		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
6.7lb		 Length:
14in		 Magazine:
18 rounds		 Designer(s):
Jerzey Podsenkowski, Lt. Ichnatowicz		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
Improved model of MCEM-2, added bayonet fittings, heavier bolt
NORM
Norm carbine		 Year(s):
1943		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
8.8lb		 Length:
29in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
George Norman		 Manufacturer:
Birmingham Small Arms Company		 Notes:
Cocked via a slide, unusual foregrip wrapped around muzzle
ROFSTEN
ROFSTEN		 Year(s):
1944		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
8.2lb		 Length:
31in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
N/A		 Manufacturer:
Royal Ordnance Factory, Fazackerly		 Notes:
Modified STEN gun, cocked via ring in the rear
VESELEY
Veseley V42/3		 Year(s):
1942		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
7.1lb		 Length:
33in		 Magazine:
60 rounds		 Designer(s):
Joseph Veseley		 Manufacturer:
Birmingham Small Arms Company		 Notes:
Magazine split into two 30-round compartments
VIPER
Viper		 Year(s):
1945		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
4.7lb		 Length:
21in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Derek Hutton-Williams		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
Machine pistol-like weapon, magazine doubled as pistol grip


STEN variants

STEN
STEN Mk.I		 Year(s):
1941		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
 7.2lb
 Length:
33in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Harold Turpin and Reginald Shepherd		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
Wooden body and folding foregrip, flash hider over muzzle
STEN
STEN Mk.I*		 Year(s):
1941		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
7lb		 Length:
31in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Harold Turpin and Reginald Shepherd		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
Stripped-down version of STEN Mk.I
STEN
STEN Mk.II		 Year(s):
1942		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
6.6lb		 Length:
30in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Harold Turpin and Reginald Shepherd		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
Barebones version of STEN, mass-produced in large numbers
STEN
STEN Mk.II (Wooden stock)		 Year(s):
1942		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
7lb		 Length:
30in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Harold Turpin and Reginald Shepherd		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
STEN Mk.II with Lee-Enfield pattern wooden stock
STEN
STEN Mk.III		 Year(s):
1943
 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
7lb		 Length:
30in
 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Harold Turpin and Reginald Shepherd		 Manufacturer:
Line Brothers Limited		 Notes:
Cheaper version of STEN Mk.II
STEN
STEN Mk.III (Wooden stock)
 Year(s):
1943
 Cartridge:
9x19mm
 Weight:
7.4lb
 Length:
30in
 Magazine:
32 rounds
 Designer(s):
Harold Turpin and Reginald Shepherd		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
STEN Mk.III with Lanchester pattern wooden stock
STEN
STEN Mk.IVA		 Year(s):
1943		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
7.5lb		 Length:
27in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Harold Turpin and Reginald Shepherd		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
Proposed arctic-weather STEN variant with retractable stock; never saw service
STEN
STEN Mk.IVS
 Year(s):
1943		 Cartridge:
9x19mm
 Weight:
8.4lb
 Length:
N/A
 Magazine:
32 rounds
 Designer(s):
Harold Turpin and Reginald Shepherd
 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield
 Notes:
Silenced version of STEN Mk.IVA, only one ever made
STEN
STEN Mk.IVB
 Year(s):
1943		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
7.5lb		 Length:
24in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Harold Turpin and Reginald Shepherd		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
Improved balancing, rejected due to discomfort during firing
STEN
STEN Mk.V
 Year(s):
1944		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
8.6lb		 Length:
30in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Harold Turpin and Reginald Shepherd		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
Better quality STEN variant with wooden furniture and Lee-Enfield sights

STEN Mk.VI
 Year(s):
1944		 Cartridge:
9x19mm
 Weight:
9.5lb		 Length:
33in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Harold Turpin and Reginald Shepherd		 Manufacturer:
Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield		 Notes:
Suppressed version of STEN Mk.V
STEN
STEN Mk.II (Canadian prototype)		 Year(s):
1942		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
N/A		 Length:
30in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Antoni Rosciszewski		 Manufacturer:
Small Arms Limited		 Notes:
Two-stage trigger for single shots and automatic fire, magazine operated by breech block
STEN
M.I.53
 Year(s):
1953		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
N/A		 Length:
30in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
N/A		 Manufacturer:
Imperia Limited		 Notes:
Belgian submachine gun using leftover STEN parts from WWII
STEN
MR-64		 Year(s):
1964		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
N/A		 Length:
N/A		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Juan Azicorbe and Gordon Ingram		 Manufacturer:
Erquiaga Arms Company		 Notes:
Cheap STEN variant designed to arm Cuban guerrillas


American prototypes

ATCHISSON
 Year(s):
1970		 Cartridge: .22 LR Weight:
N/A		 Length:
N/A		 Magazine:
  70 rounds
 Designer(s):
Maxwell G. Atchisson		 Manufacturer:
Military Armament Corporation
Notes:
Only one prototype made
ATMED
 Year(s):
1940		 Cartridge:
.45 ACP		 Weight:
N/A		 Length:
N/A		 Magazine:
20 rounds		 Designer(s):
N/A		 Manufacturer:
Atmed Manufacturing Company		 Notes:
Modified Hyde Model 35, first gun to pass the mud tests at Aberdeen Proving Grounds
COMPACT
 Year(s):
1954		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
N/A
 Length:
24in		 Magazine:
30 rounds		 Designer(s):
Jack Purcell		 Manufacturer:
Interstate Engineering Corporation		 Notes:
Modified version of Ingram Model 6
COOK
Cook submachine gun
 Year(s):
1950		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
N/A		 Length:
23in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Loren Cook		 Manufacturer:
N/A		 Notes:
Very basic SMG with tubular body and stock
FOOTE
Foote MP970
 Year(s):
1970		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
N/A		 Length:
15in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
John P. Foote		 Manufacturer:
Military Armament Corporation		 Notes:
Basic SMG made from stamped metals
INGRAM
Ingram Model 5
 Year(s):
1946		 Cartridge:
.45 ACP		 Weight:
N/A		 Length:
N/A
 Magazine:
  20 rounds		 Designer(s):
Gordon B. Ingram		 Manufacturer:
Lightning Arms Company		 Notes:
Only one prototype made

Australian prototypes

BSA-ANDREWS
 Year(s):
1943		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
6.2lb		 Length:
25in		 Magazine:
32 rounds		 Designer(s):
Mr. Andrews		 Manufacturer:
Birmingham Small Arms Company		 Notes:
Folding pistol grip, extra mag could be used as shoulder stock
CHARLTON
Charlton automatic rifle		 Year(s):
1941		 Cartridge:
.303		 Weight:
16lb		 Length:
44in		 Magazine:
10 rounds		 Designer(s):
Philip Charlton		 Manufacturer:
Electrolux Limited		 Notes:
SMLE converted for automatic fire; originally manufactured in New Zealand
EKINS
Ekins automatic rifle 		Year(s):
1944		 Cartridge:
.303		 Weight:
 N/A		 Length:
 44in		 Magazine:
  10 rounds		 Designer(s):
William Ekins		 Manufacturer:
No.2 AEME		 Notes:
SMLE with gas tube attached to bolt, converted for automatic fire
KOKODA
Kokoda MCEM-1
 Year(s):
1943		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
8.4lb		 Length:
27in		 Magazine:
33 rounds		 Designer(s):
Major S. Hall		 Manufacturer:
Lithgow Small Arms Factory		 Notes:
Redesigned Owen gun with bottom feed, retractable stock, foregrip and flash hider. Not to be confused with British MCEM-1
KOKODA
Kokoda MCEM-2
 Year(s):
1951		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
8.4lb		 Length:
30in		 Magazine:
33 rounds		 Designer(s):
Major S. Hall		 Manufacturer:
Lithgow Small Arms Factory		 Notes:
Redesigned cocking mechanism and bayonet fittings. Not to be confused with British MCEM-2
MITCHELL
Mitchell submachine gun		 Year(s):
1943		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
N/A		 Length:
N/A		 Magazine:
30		 Designer(s):
Allen Mitchell		 Manufacturer:
Allen Mitchell		 Notes:
Used STEN magazine, barrel heated up quickly and trigger mechanism exhibited faults
SR11
Robinson SR-11
 Year(s):
1943		 Cartridge:
9x19mm		 Weight:
2.9lb		 Length:
10in		 Magazine:
16 rounds		 Designer(s):
Russel Robinson		 Manufacturer:
Arms Development Company		 Notes:
Machine pistol-type weapon with single-strut stock

Misc. items

Nambu 8mm

Egyptian Thompson

Chaineux revolver

SerLea-ACE

Woodhull carbine

Turner carbine

BSA-Kiraly

Brondby carbine

Patchett machine carbine

German weapons

Fest FMP-1

Heinemann MP32

Percussion weapons

Enouy rifle

Enouy revolver

Baker revolver

Snowdon revolver

Harvey revolver

Witton & Daw revolver

Lang revolver