Solothurn-Steyr S1-100 (MP34)

History

After World War I, Germany faced strict military restrictions under the Treaty of Versailles, which included bans on certain weapons and limitations on small arms designs. To circumvent these restrictions, Germany developed weapons in other countries. One notable example is the S1-100 submachine gun, later known as the "MP34." Rheinmetall, a German company, initiated its design, but due to export limitations and lack of manufacturing facilities, production moved to Waffenfabrik Steyr in Austria in 1929. The submachine gun gained popularity and was adopted by the Austrian police as the "Steyr MP30."

The Austrian Armed Forces also embraced the S1-100, designating it as the "Steyr MP34" and using a different cartridge. This well-constructed submachine gun was efficient, featuring adjustable aiming, a wooden receiver with a shoulder rest, and a short, cooled barrel with a bayonet mount. It gained popularity in Asia, Africa, and South America, with various cartridge options. Notably, China purchased it in significant quantities, and Nazi Germany acquired a stockpile when they annexed Austria in 1938.

Despite its initial success, Austrian production of the MP34 gave way to the more cost-effective German MP40 series during World War II, which became the standard submachine gun for the Wehrmacht until the war's conclusion. Towards the war's end, the MP34 was mainly in the hands of second-line troops. Various versions and adaptations of the original MP18 design also emerged during this period.

Specification

Basics

Year of Service: 1930

Origins: Switzerland

Categories: Submachine Gun (SMG)

Manufacturer: Rheinmetall - Nazi Germany / Solothurn - Switzerland / Steyr - Austria

Operator: Austria; Bolivia; Chile; China; El Salvador; Imperial Japan; Nazi Germany; Portugal; Switzerland; Taiwan; Uruguay; Venezuela

Rate of Fire: 500 Number of revolutions

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length: 808mm (31.81 inches)

Run Length: 200 mm (7.87 inches)

Cured weight: 9.70 lbs (4.40 kg)

Attractions: Front and rear iron

Action

Automatic

Bullets are automatically ejected from the breech, new bullets are removed from the chuck and inserted into the chamber, and the bullets will fire continuously as long as the trigger is pulled and ammunition is supplied.

Backflush operation

The air pressure created by the rearward movement of the fired case provides the necessary bolt movement, case ejection and stripping of the new case from the magazine.

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber: 9x23mm Steyr; 9x19mm Parabolic; 9x25mm Mauser Outlet

Circle/Feed: 20 or 32 rounds detachable magazine

Variant

MP30 ("Machine Pistol Model 1930") - name of the Austrian police.

MP34 ("Machine Gun Model 1934") - Designation of the Austrian Army.