Choroszmanów
Grzegorz Choroszman Workshop · Submachine Gun · Out Of Production · 1943
Also known as: Pistolet maszynowy Choroszmanów
Overview
The Choroszmanów is a clandestine Polish submachine gun designed and hand-built by gunsmith Grzegorz Choroszman and his sons during the German occupation of Poland in 1943-1944. Chambered in 7.62x25mm Tokarev and fed from 35-round box or 71-round drum magazines, this blowback, open-bolt, full-automatic weapon was closely modeled on the Soviet PPD-40 and PPSh-41 and issued to Polish partisans. Roughly 27 examples were produced across three progressively refined models.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3000 g (105.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 815 mm (32.09") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 35 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
Calibers
- 7.62x25mm Tokarev · primary — also known as 7.62 Tokarev, 7.62x25mm, 7.63x25mm Mauser
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: 35-Round Detachable Box Magazine, 71-Round Drum Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety (Later Variants)
- Features: Clandestine Workshop Construction, Barrel Improvised From Heating-Installation Pipe, Design Derived From Soviet PPD-40 And PPSh-41, Accepts 35-Round Box Or 71-Round Drum Magazine, No Fire-Mode Selector (Full-Automatic Only)
Service history
Conflicts
- World War II (1943-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 27 · Production years: 1943-1944
Approximately 22 of the first model, 4 of the second and 1 of the third; hand-built in a clandestine workshop.
Origin
Country of origin: Poland
Designer: Grzegorz Choroszman
Discontinued: 1944
Notes
Made in a private gunsmith workshop from improvised materials, including barrels fashioned from bicycle-frame and heating-pipe stock; total production is estimated at about 27 across all three models.
Background
When steel was scarce under occupation, the Choroszman family improvised barrels from bicycle frames and later from heating-system pipes, turning household scrap into working submachine guns for the Polish resistance.