SIG MKMO
Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft (SIG Neuhausen) · Submachine Gun · Out Of Production · 1933
Also known as: Maschinenkarabiner Militärmodell Oben, SIG MKMO
Overview
The SIG MKMO (Maschinenkarabiner Militärmodell Oben) was a Swiss submachine gun designed by Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft at Neuhausen and introduced in 1933. A high-quality, expensive weapon machined from solid steel, it featured a long 500 mm barrel, a folding magazine housing that swung forward against the stock, and a delayed-blowback action in its original form. The simplified MKMS variant of 1935 adopted a plain one-piece blowback bolt. Its high cost limited sales, and only around 1,200 examples of all four variants were produced.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4250 g (149.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1025 mm (40.35") |
| Barrel Length | 500 mm (19.69") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 40 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 900 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9x19mm
- 7.65x21mm Parabellum — also known as 7.65mm Luger, .30 Luger
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Folding Magazine Housing, Wooden Rifle Stock, Milled Steel Receiver, Select Fire
Variants
Service history
Operators
- Swiss Police
- Finnish Defence Forces · adopted 1936
- Pontifical Swiss Guard
Conflicts
- Continuation War (1941-1944)
Production
Estimated total produced: 1,228 · Production years: 1933-1942
Total across all four variants (MKMO, MKMS, MKPO, MKPS); 282 MKMS purchased by Finland
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Designer: Gotthard End
Discontinued: 1942
Notes
The 'O' (Oben/top) and later 'S' (Seitlich/side) designations refer to the position of the cocking mechanism. The folding magazine housing allowed the magazine to be stowed forward alongside the barrel jacket when not in use.
Background
The MKM family was so finely machined and costly that few buyers could justify it as a military weapon, yet a handful ended up guarding the Pope, issued to the Pontifical Swiss Guard at the Vatican.