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