Welgun
Birmingham Small Arms Company · Submachine Gun · Prototype · 1942
Also known as: Welwyn gun, Norm Welgun
Overview
The Welgun is a British prototype submachine gun developed during the Second World War by the Special Operations Executive (SOE) at its Station IX research facility near Welwyn Garden City, with engineering and manufacturing input from the Birmingham Small Arms Company. Chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, it used a simple blowback action firing from an open bolt with a wrap-around bolt that telescoped over the barrel to keep the weapon short and compact. It fed from standard 32-round Sten magazines, fired at roughly 500 rounds per minute, and featured a folding stock for concealment and air-drop to resistance fighters. Despite performing well in trials and proving notably accurate, the cheaper Sten was retained and the Welgun never entered series production.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3100 g (109.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 700 mm (27.56") |
| Barrel Length | 200 mm (7.87") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Magazine Capacity | 32 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 365 m/s (1198 fps) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 500 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Folding Stock, Compact Design, Wrap Around Bolt, Dust Cover, Sten Magazine Compatible
Service history
Operators
- Special Operations Executive
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Production years: 1942-1943
Prototype only; approximately six examples produced at Station IX for trials. Never adopted for series production.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Station IX / Birmingham Small Arms
Discontinued: 1943
Notes
Only a small number of prototypes were built, with around six examples produced at Station IX by 1942 for demonstration. The Welgun was found to be the most accurate weapon at 250 yards in comparative trials but failed cold-weather testing. A planned requirement for 100,000 units at 5,000 per month never materialised because the Sten Mk IV was adopted instead.
Background
The Welgun took its name from Welwyn, home of SOE's Station IX, the clandestine research lab that also produced the Welrod silent pistol and Welbike folding paratrooper motorcycle. Compact and air-droppable, it was intended to arm resistance fighters and special forces, but lost out to the mass-produced Sten despite being praised as a superior weapon in trials.