Brief History Courtesy of http://hza-kulmbach.com/
Building more in less time
The German "Wehrmacht" in September 1939 marched into Poland seriously under equipped. That included the degree of actual planned motorized vehicles, the number of full-auto firearms - including submachine-guns but also Light- and Heavy-Machine-guns - number of tanks and more. After the fast victory and over the next following years Germany had no other choice than aquiring captured military equipment, so basically "everything which did shoot" was integrated into service under the category "Fremdes Gerät“ (meaning foreign equipment).
Starting with "Operation Barbarossa" and the attack against the Soviet Union, the losses on soldiers and material grew enormously and fastly. Especially the shortage and urgent demand on Infantry weapons could not be met with the existing manufacturing capacities. The critical situation became even worse when in 1942 British and American tactical bombing started.
It was then in this critical situation, when it became obvious that drastic measures had to be taken to firstly reduce the amount of material used, secondly reduce the overall machining- and assembly-times required and lastly simplify all designs currently in production to optimize them towards mass-production. One of these first weapons was the "Maschinenkarabiner - Mkb 42 (H)", serving as godfather to the later "MP 44"and StG 44.
One concept meets the set requirements
The assault-rifle concept was intended to provide a fighting platform to the infantry-men, which would allow for an effective attack- and impact-distance of about 600 meters, while the rifle should still be controllable in full-auto firing mode, but also enable precision shooting in semi-auto firing mode. This was especially important as the soldier was now in a position to fire without being forced to move the rifle out of the targeting-line thus targets could be aquired, attacked and neutralized without operating the bolt-action. While - if need be - on short distance assaults - offensive or defensive - switching to "D" for full-auto - would provide a deadly lead-spitting firepower.
"Haenel" wins the race
Two versions had advanced into the final round of the competition being the Mkb 42 (W)" from Walther and the "Mkb 42 (H)" from Haenel. The Wather-concept with a rotating bolt system and tube type reciever was good, however the Haenel-concept with its tilting bolt system finally won the race. The weapon was engineered to shoot from the open bolt position, just like the "MP 38". The advantage of this open bolt configuration was, that during full-auto fire, the barrel would receive better cooling by the air that would pass through the barrel. As the intention however was that the weapon should be mainly operated in semi-auto - also to save ammunition - it was modified. The MP43/1 was born, that would only fire from the closed bolt configuration. Important to mention is the selection of the frame-material, being sheet metal. By cold-stamping operations the metal was pressed into shape. With only few operating steps a simple Coal-box or lantern could as easily be produced as a firearm frame, housing, hand-rail, gas-tube or trigger groups. Lessons learned of civilian mass-production were applied to military manufacturing. That is also the reason why civilian companies had to kind of "handhold and coach" the arms factories until they had mastered the cold-stamping operation-steps to perfection. Lots of Know-how, experience, time and skills were required to build the dies and tools, but once completed, only sufficiently dimensioned stamping-presses and quality sheet-metal was required to stamp lots of parts in a mass-production-environment.
The "Waffenamt" disobeys directions given
Already back in December of 1941 / January 1942 the first prototypes were made by "Haenel", located in Suhl. Those prototypes still were fully machined / milled and were specified with the internal manufacturers-code "MK 42 H.S.“ (standing for "Maschinenkarabiner 42 Haenel / Schmeisser"). Shortly after, the following prototypes were renamed to „Maschinenpistole 42 S“ (for schwer = heavy) and then to "Mkb 42". After also company "Walther" presented their prototypes, the name was finally changed to the known "Mkb 42 (H)".
Despite the disapproval of the the "Führer" as stated April 14th of 1942, the German "Heereswaffenamt" (fortunately) authorized testing the next day.
Reasoning behind his disapproval was that further development would require mass production of the new cartridge, the 7.92mm x “Kurz” or Short round. Hitler believed that more efforts should be put into the mass production of the 7.92mm x and 9mm pistol cartridges in use by a variety of weapons already in use.
There are opinions that the new weapons were re-designated “Maschinen Pistole” (MP) rather than “Maschinenkarabiner” to hide the fact that development was still, in fact, taking place.
The official report of the "Infantry-school" clearly states "high appreciation" of this new weapon, but at the same time a valid point of criticism was the operation from an open-bolt. This report then lead to the improved follow-on development of the "MP 43/1", which operated from a closed-bolt and therefore was much more suited for precision-shooting.
Already outdated when issued to field-testing
Around 10.000 of the "Mkb 42 (H)" were manufactured and sent to the Eastern-Front for big-scale field-testing, even knowing that with the improved new "MP 43/1" they were already outdated. Reasoning was that intelligence had to be gathered fast on the potential tactical benefits of such a type of assault weapon in the field.
In spring of 1943 the "Führer" set other priorities. The tank-program (named after him) especially ate up the majority of all industrial capacities, so testing, re-engineering and production-readiness of weapons not approved by him, dropped significantly in the priority-listing. As of June 1943 the monthly demand of the "MP 43/1" was supposed to be a 4-digit number, but almost three months later in August, still only a handful of hand-made prototypes made it to the front. The good experiences made with the "MP 43 B" (Internal army test designation) however lead to a version - renamed to "MP 43/1" - superseding the meanwhile "aged" "Mkb 42 (H)". Also the "MP 43 A (Internal army test designation)" was replaced by the "MP 43/2" (Internal army test designation) and at this point it was clear that a further version with an even further improved barrel-geometry, would be issued to the troops as the "MP 44".
During a visit to the Eastern Front, Hitler is reported to have asked his Generals what they needed to ensure victory over the Russian Red Army. “More of these new rifles” was the reply. Bearing in mind Hitler had rejected further development of the new selective fire rifles, his response was “What new rifles?”
Demonstrations of the MP43 & MP44 were quickly arranged and upon seeing the new rifles and witnessing their performance, he was so impressed he re named the rifle “Sturmgewehr” or “Assault Rifle” and immediately authorised production.
The Model Gun
It has been almost 20 years since Shoei last manufactured their replica of the MKb42. As always, production runs are limited to small numbers, in 2012 only approximately 80 examples of the Dummy Cartridge version and approximately 35 Blowback models were produced. At the time of writing this review, according to Shoei, only one Blowback MKb42 has been sent to the UK. It looks like I have a very rare model gun in my collection.
The box contains the modelgun itself, magazine, 10 Blowback cartridges (note the additional 20 I'd ordered), a magazine loading tool, Cartridge dismantling tool, Instruction set including a copy of the Dummy cartridge version. A nice surprise was finding 5 dummy cartridges, a dummy cartridge chamber and bolt with an Allen key to change them over when required.
As expected from Shoei, quality is absolutely superb. The gun is all metal and wood. Stamped aluminium has been used to make the Receivers, Zinc Alloy to make the Bolt assembly as expected and wood for the stock and grips.
Shoei’s own photographs are much better than mine so I’ve reproduced them here from
Each model is stamped with its’ own unique serial number signifying year of manufacture and individual model number. Mine has 1226, i.e. manufactured 2012, model number 26
Accurate stamped marks are reproduced on the Receiver, Stock Body, Barrel, Bolt Assembly and Magazine: (as can be seen in following photos)
Photo courtesy of http://www.shoeiseisakusho.co.jp/index.html
The underside of the Lower Receiver is stamped as were the real guns, with Factory Codes and Inspectors Stamps
COS = Gebrueder Merz, Merz-Werke, Frankfurt, Main = Stamped / Pressed Sheet Metal product Manufacturer
WaAA44 = WaffenAampt Inspectors Approval Stamp
fxo = C.G. Haenel, Waffen- u. Fahrradfabrik, Suhl = Weapon Manufacturer
37 = to be confirmed
Eagle Stamp = Army Approval Stamp
37 = to be confirmed
The Blowback model is supplied with optional Dummy Cartridges, Bolt Carrier and Chamber
Accessories supplied with the model:
Top Row Left to Right - Chamber for Dummy Cartridges, Bolt Carrier for Dummy Carts, Bags of Cartridge Pistons and Primers
Mid Row Left to Right - 5 x Dummy Cartridges, 10 x Blowback Cartridges
Bottom Row Left to Right - Bag containing Allen Key & Cartridge Unloading Tools, Magazine Loading Tool
Firing the Model
Shoei’s previous attempts at producing Blowback models (MP44 for example) have not been too successful. Shoei redesigned the cartridge which now uses two 0-rings effectively sealing all expanding gases from the fired caps inside the cartridge body. As no pressure escapes, all the pressure is directed at the internal piston giving a very strong blowback. One 7mm and one 5mm are used in each cartridge.
The gas seal is so effective, no igniting cap sound nor smoke escapes. However, the mechanical sounds made by this model during firing are loud enough to make the experience enjoyable. It is, in fact, almost as loud as some other models I have.
As most of us know by now, using two caps per cartridge does produce significant and very strong forces. This particular model needs a lot of power to cycle its’ bolt and gas tube assembly but this much power does give brass cartridges and zinc bolts a hard life.
Cartridge Loading info:
https://mp40modelguns.forumotion.net/t3769-loading-shoei-mkb42h-blowback-cartridges-2012-versionUnlike the Dummy Cartridge version, the Blowback models’ Bolt is fixed to the Carrier by a single small diameter (M4) screw.
To ensure good firing performance this screw needs checking and tightening regularly. The shock transmitted to this screw by the open bolt firing method is considerable and WILL loosen the screw and bolt assembly quickly despite their being a spring washer beneath the screw head.
When the screw is loose, the bolt can move relatively easily causing miss feeds, failed extraction of cartridges and damage to cartridge rims should the wide extractor claw fail to clip over the rim.
Bolt Face and Extractor
As we have come to expect, Zinc Alloy is comparatively soft and is damaged all too easily. As I found with mine, a loose bolt will show signs of wear along its’ running edges which is easily dressed smooth and clean again with a small file. I also found that a stiff and sticking bolt as reported by Jim with his Dummy Cartridge model, which was evident on my firing version too became smoother and easier to pull back after dressing the bolt’s edges.
Stripping Procedure
Refer also to MKb42(H) Dummy Cartridge instructions:
Remove Magazine and ensure Bolt is closed
Remove Stock. First, push spring clip into the Pin, then push the pin through the Receiver. Ensure the stock is supported as you withdraw the pin as the Recoil Spring can push the stock off forcibly
As the Stock leaves the receiver(s), the Lower Receiver with Trigger Group will pivot downwards
Remove the Recoil Spring and Ring
Remove the Bolt and Gas Tube assembly by pulling the charging handle backwards along the guide slot.
Under normal circumstances, that’s all that is required. All parts can now be inspected, cleaned, re lubricated and reassembled by reversing the above procedure
Swapping the Detonator Chamber and Bolt Carrier from Firing to Dummy Cartridge modes is explained fully on Shoei’s own Instruction Manual seen here:
Tue Apr 02, 2013 10:49 pm
(kidding - basically I've no use for it so simply asked out of curiosity).
