Yugoslavian M56 - New Spec - "Poor Man's MP40"

Top three photos of my M56 are courtesy of Rytons who sold me it.

As you can see, the M56 submachine gun was very much a poor man's MP40, which it copied after WW2, and as I write, this is the closest I ever got to owning the iconic Schmeisser (Erma) machine gun - apart from the one my Action Man had!

It was blowback operated, full automatic-only weapon that fired from open bolt. The bolt system is of simple design, with exposed, large diameter return spring. The cocking handle is located at the right side of the bolt and doubles as a manual safety - pushing it inwards locks the bolt in open or closed position. The stock is copied from MP40 and folds down and forward to save the length. Sights are of open type, with flip-up rear, marked for 100 and 200 meters range. One unusual feature of M56 is that it has a bayonet lug on the barrel and thus can accept a knife-bayonet.

Yugoslavia
Sub Machine Gun M56
Serial number D46059
Caliber 7.62mm
Barrel length 10"

Deactivated 13.03.2007
Certificate present

£250

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PPs42 (Type 54)

Middle of the three

Type 54 (Chinese produced PPS 42, designed by A. Sudarev)

Type 54 (PPS42)

China
Type 54 Sub machine gun
Serial number 2114409
Barrel length 240mm

Corner of plastic grip chipped off

Deactivated 13.03.2000
Certificate present

£185

Hotchkiss Universal (new spec)

click image to look close up

Produced for French paratroops, this is a fascinating design, as it folded up tightly. Originally the barrel also telescoped in and out, making it even more compact; the barrel is now welded in place. The cocking handle does not move but several other parts do, and if you are anything like me you won't be able to stop playing with the folding mechanism. The magazine will no longer retain rounds as its lips have been cut off as part of an unsympathetic deactivation.

A really great deac.

French
Sub Machine Gun - Hotchkiss
serial number CMH1751
calibre 9mm
barrel length 10.5"

Deactivated 25/1/99
Certificate present

£250