ETVS submachine gun

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Pistolet Mitrailleur Modèle ETVS
TypeSubmachine gun
Place of origin France
Service history
Used byFrance
Germany (Captured)
WarsWorld War II
Production history
DesignerCaptain Martin[1]
Designed1933
ManufacturerÉtablissement Technique de Versailles
Produced1933-1939
No. built100
Specifications
Mass5.95 kilograms (13.1 pounds)
LengthStock extended: 26.4 inches (67 centimetres)
Stock folded: 16.5 inches (42 centimetres)
Barrel length8.27 inches (21.0 centimetres)

Cartridge7.65×20mm Longue
Caliber7.65
ActionBlowback
Rate of fire500rpm
Muzzle velocity380 metres per second (1,200 feet per second)
Feed system32-round detachable box magazine

The Pistolet Mitrailleur Modèle ETVS, also known as the Type ETVS or simply the ETVS, was a French prototype submachine gun designed by Captain Marlin and produced by the Établissement Technique de Versailles.[2] It was used during World War II.

History[edit]

The ETVS was developed in the 1930s in response to a commission from the French Army, who at that time were looking for a submachine gun for military service.[3] It was trialed against other submachine gun designs, including the Petter Mle 39 and the MAS-38. The ETVS was considered inferior to these weapons and was rejected. Development of the ETVS gun ceased after its rejection from military trials.

When World War II broke out, neither the MAS-38 nor the Mle 39 had been produced in significant quantities to arm enough soldiers. The French Army was very short on submachine guns. The Army hurriedly brought Thompson submachine guns from the United States and pressed any available submachine guns they had into service. This included about 50-100 ETVS trial submachine guns.[4] These guns were captured by the Wehrmacht after the Battle of France and pressed into German service as the Maschinenpistole 721(f). Due to its unique chambering, the Maschinenpistole 721(f) was mainly use by occupation divisions in occupied France.

Design[edit]

The ETVS was a blowback-operated submachine gun chambered for the French 7.65×20mm Longue cartridge. It was designed to be compact and easy to carry, and featured a folding stock and folding magazine which wasn't a feature on the majority of submachine guns of the time.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "E.t.v.s."
  2. ^ "ETVS submachine guns – LAI Publications".
  3. ^ "MAS 1938 SUBMACHINE GUN - Small Arms Review". 3 November 2010.
  4. ^ "Falling Short: How Years of Submachine Gun Research and Hesitation Left French Fighting Forces Fragile in the Face of War - Small Arms Review". 12 April 2019.

Attribution