SIG MKMS
Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1933
Also known as: Maschinenkarabiner Militarmodell Seitlich, MKMS
Overview
The SIG MKMS is a Swiss submachine gun developed by Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft at Neuhausen and introduced in the 1930s. A simplified military model in the SIG machine-carbine family, it used a delayed-blowback action paired with an unusually long barrel and a select-fire, hammer-fired mechanism feeding from a 40-round magazine. Its defining feature was a swiveling magazine housing, designed by Hungarian engineer Pal Kiraly, that allowed the long magazine to fold forward and lie flush along the wooden stock for carrying. Beautifully machined but expensive and slow to produce, only about 1,200 examples of the entire family were built before production ended in 1941.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3900 g (137.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 1025 mm (40.35") |
| Barrel Length | 500 mm (19.69") |
| Action Type | Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 40 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 850 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, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Folding Magazine Housing, Long Barrel, Side Ejection, Select Fire, Wooden Rifle Stock
Variants
Service history
Operators
- Swiss Police
- Finnish Civil Guard
- Vatican / Swiss Guard
Conflicts
- World War II (1939-1945)
Production
Estimated total produced: 1,228 · Production years: 1933-1941
Total of 1,228 guns produced across the MKMO, MKPO, MKMS and MKPS models combined; high cost and low sales ended production in 1941.
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Designer: Pal Kiraly, Gotthard End, Jakob Gaetzi
Discontinued: 1941
Notes
The MKMS and MKPS were offered in several chamberings including 7.65x21mm Parabellum, 9x19mm Parabellum and 7.63x25mm Mauser. The folding magazine housing is the weapon's signature feature.
Background
The SIG machine carbines are widely regarded as among the most beautifully made submachine guns ever produced. Their swiveling magazine housing, allowing the long magazine to fold alongside the stock, was patented by Hungarian engineer Pal Kiraly, who later applied similar ideas to the Danuvia 39M.