MCEM-2
Royal Small Arms Factory Enfield · Submachine Gun · Prototype · 1944
Also known as: Machine Carbine Experimental Model No. 2, MCEM-II, Podsedkowski machine carbine
Overview
The MCEM-2 (Machine Carbine Experimental Model No. 2) was a British experimental 9x19mm machine pistol designed circa 1944 by Polish emigre engineer Jerzy Podsedkowski at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield. Remarkably compact at about 14 inches, it used a wrap-around telescoping bolt over the barrel, an 18-round magazine housed in the pistol grip, and a detachable wireframe stock sheathed in a canvas holster cover. It was rejected at the 1946 General Staff trials for an excessive rate of fire and was never produced.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2700 g (95.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 356 mm (14.02") |
| Barrel Length | 203 mm (7.99") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Magazine Capacity | 18 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Rate of Fire | 1000 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Features: Magazine In Pistol Grip, Wrap Around Telescoping Bolt, Bullpup Layout, Detachable Holster Stock, Tubular Sheet Metal Receiver
Production
Production years: 1944-1947
Prototypes only; rejected during the 1946 trials and never produced
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Designer: Jerzy Podsedkowski
Discontinued: 1947
Notes
Weight (2.7kg) and barrel (8in) are single-source and approximate. The bullpup machine-pistol layout with wrap-around bolt and grip-fed magazine foreshadowed the Sa vz. 23 and Uzi. Rejected for ~1000+ rpm rate of fire exceeding the required spec.
Background
Designed by Polish emigre Jerzy Podsedkowski - who had earlier worked on the Vis wz.35 pistol before fleeing occupied Poland - the MCEM-2 was one of the first SMGs to pair a wrap-around telescoping bolt with a magazine-in-grip layout, an architecture later made famous by the Czech Sa vz. 23 and the Israeli Uzi.