Manowar's Hungarian Weapons |
Danuvia 39.M on top and Danuvia 43.M on bottom |
Made by Danuvia Gépgyár, Budapest, 1939-43 Quantity: approx. 11,000 (not all sources agree) Caliber: 39.M 9x25mm Mauser. Delayed blowback, selective fire Muzzle velocity 425-463 m/sec, Cyclic rate: 730-780 rpm 40-round staggered row foldable/detachable box magazine 1046mm [41.2"] overall, 500mm [19.68"] barrel Weight 3.7kg [8.2 lbs], 4.15kg with loaded mag Effective range 600m Tangent ramp type rear sight graduated 50-600 meters |
In 1940 1566 39.M's were ordered by the military for the Police [Rendõrség] and Gendarmerie [Csendõrség], however the Honvédség liked it so much, that they withheld this first shipment for their own use.
For the Police & Gendarmerie they sent 1000 German Bergman M1935/I 9mm machine pistos instead. The 39.M functioned well under subzero conditions on the Russian front. The only complaint was the inconsistency of ammunition supply, because this was the only weapon on the front issued with the 9x25mm Mauser cartridge. Cartridge dimensions: Case Length: 24.9mm [.980"], Rim Dia.: 9.9mm [.389"], Overall 35mm [1.377"] long, Bullet Wgt: 125gr/8.15g. |
The standard Model 39 submachine gun has a one-piece stock. After testing the 39M for paratroopers they found it too long, so a version with a folding wooden butt was produced for paratroopers as the Model 39/A (or 39/AM). These guns were supplied with a special carbine sling. 276 folding stock Model 39/A guns were delivered in 1941. |
Function: The fire selector/safety is the circular cap located on the rear of the receiver and is operated by rotating the cap to align with
one of the three settings: 'E' for semiautomatic fire, 'S' for full automatic fire and 'Z' for safe setting. Direct translation E = Egyenként (one-by-one), S = Sorozat (in-a-row), Z = Zárva (closed). After a loaded magazine is inserted, a bolt handle is pulled back, the bolt stays in the rear position. After the trigger is pulled, a spring loaded bolt moves forward, pushes a cartridge into the chamber, and the firing pin is released initiating the firing. Blowback gas starts the reloading process again. The weight of the heavy bolt carrier provides the necessary delay. At the single shot (semi-auto) setting, the bolt stays in the rear position. |
By 1942 the demand overwhelmed the production. Quality of the production of spare parts started to slide, which caused problems on the front. Most of the problems
were the non-heat treated magazines' lips wearing out too quick. The leadership again considered the German Bergmann and Schmeisser submachine guns, but decided to stay with the Kiraly 39.M, and
reinstated the strict quality control. The Hungarians received an amount of MP40 machine pistols from the Germans. Unfortunately these MP40's had the same problems, their non-heat treated magazines
only lasted 500-600 rounds due to excessive lip wear.
The large number of captured Soviet 7.62x25mm PPSh41 submachine guns were not a significant help. They were very inaccurate, 'spray-and-pray' guns. The magazines tended to jam and 5-10 rounds
had to be removed from the drums to get them to start feeding properly.
By 1943 the military's demand grew to 162,000 39M's. Manufacturing reached 4000 a month.
On Oct 12 1942 a new submachine gun was introduced by Kiraly. This improved version eliminated the common problems associated with the 39M. See the 2 guns side by side at the top of this page.
The new designation was Kiraly-Danuvia 43.M Geppisztoly.
This Submachine Gun was issued with a standard 35.M type Sword bayonet. 480mm overall, 340mm long double edged blade. 15mm dia socket sleeve.