"M42" UD (United Defense) Submachine Gun

by
posted on April 24, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
qathompson1.jpg

Q. In a history of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) I was reading, the author made reference to procurement of the M42 submachine guns, but did not explain any further. Can you tell me what an M42 submachine gun is? Was this gun ever issued to conventional American or Allied troops?

A. No M42 submachine guns were issued to the American Armed Forces during the war, but it was supplied to several allied countries during the war, and it was an item of issue to the OSS for use in various clandestine-related operations. The M42 was invented by Carl Swebilius, who was affiliated with the firm of High Standard. High Standard developed the prototype and produced a few early versions of the gun, but the Marlin Firearms Co. manufactured approximately 15,000 of these guns.

Most were chambered in 9 mm, but a few .45 ACP versions were made as well. The M42 could accept a conventional box magazine and also had the ability to be used with staggered side-by-side magazines. Government records indicate that 2,405 9 mm Marlin MD 42 submachine guns were airdropped in France from January to October of 1944 for use by OSS-related resistance operations.

The MD 42 was an unremarkable submachine gun with no outstanding virtues or glaring vices. Since it was not an issue item to U.S. armed forces, it is a little- known arm today and extremely few examples survive.

-Bruce N. Canfield

Originally published September, 2006

Latest

Star Model B Ihtog 1
Star Model B Ihtog 1

I Have This Old Gun: Star Model B

Of the many Spanish-made firearms to emerge throughout the 19th and 20th century, one of the most recognizable is the Star Model B, largely due to its similarity to the Colt Model 1911.

New For 2025: Kimber Next Generation 1911

For its latest M1911 offering, Kimber Mfg. borrowed design elements from its double-stack 2K11 pistol to create what it calls the Next Generation 1911.

Review: Charter Arms Double Dog

Charter Arms is an American gunmaker that has offered its own versions of compact, double-action revolvers at fair prices for more than 60 years.

Rifleman Q&A: Mysterious “Broomhandle” Bring-Back

"My favorite gun is inoperable, so I have not shot it. It is one of two weapons that my dad brought back from the Philippines after World War II, the other being a sword."

New Jersey Town Supports CCW With Fee Refund

The city of Englishtown, N.J., recently made a move to reduce that financial barrier, sparking widespread optimism that a statewide, even nationwide, trend may be on the horizon.

Review: Savage Arms Revel

Lever-action rifles have experienced a revival in recent years, and Savage Arms is getting in on the act with its Revel series rimfires. To understand it, you may have to read (backward) between the lines.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.