Bergmann Industriewerke

The Bergmann MP-18 is the world's first practical submachine gun, designed by Theodor Bergmann in 1918. It was developed for the German Army during World War I to provide infantry with a high volume of close-range firepower. The MP-18 fires the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge from a 32-round drum magazine. It uses a simple blowback action with an open bolt. The MP-18 established the basic concept of the submachine gun that would dominate close-quarters battle for decades.