I was in the small town of Viatski Polyani (misspelled) 12 hour train ride east of Moscow and I asked about a factory on the out skirts of town. My interperter said they made bikes in the factory but they used to make machineguns. This got my attention. I asked if she knew what kind and she had no idea but that there was a small museum that might tell the answer. It located it on the third floor of an odd building. Much to my suprise the person at the desk knew a wealth of info. They produced the PSSh-41.
Here is the town in the early 40's (the town just celebrated it's 400th anniversary)
I never did like the looks to much of this gun and never thought much about it but after talking to this Russin lady I have have some respect for this gun. It was invented by Georgii Shpagin who was a "tinker" and he came up with a easially produced gun (stamped) not milled and it was brought to the attention of some officals
.
(here is his patient)
They decited to make this gun in this town and they converted the existing textile factory to make the guns. They took 10 train loads of materials and retooled the factory in 30 days! and they they produced 2.5 million guns in that town alone!
Here is one picture of the trains arriving.
The guns were mainly made by women and children.
The people sacrificed so the men would have guns and they gave current soldiers as they headed to the battle field food ,etc- to help with the effort to defeat the Germans
A total of 5 million were produced in Russia. Georgii Shpagin only lived to 46 or 47 here is the paper when he died but he had secured his place in Russian history.
They used this gun with great affect and here are a few "action shots"
After the war this factory made some AK's then custom 308 AKs here are a few pictures
You see this gun on allot of statutes in Russia and I now have some respect for it. I hope you enjoyed the pictures and history.
gun stats:
Cartridge: 7.62x25 (interchangeable with 7.63 Mauser; aka- .30 Mauser)
Type of Operation: Blowback
Cyclic rate: 900 rpm
Muzzle velocity: c.1600fps (488mps)
Type of Fire: Selective: full-automatic and semi-automatic
Length: 33.10 in. (828mm)
Barrel: 4 grooves, right-hand twist
Barrel Length: 10.60 in (265mm)
Weight unloaded: 8 lbs. (3.64 kg), with drum 12 lbs. (5.40 kg)
Type of Feed Mechanism: Single position feed, stamped sheet-metal, curved box magazine.
Also, a drum magazine similar to the PPD type, but possessing two feed lips.
Magazine capacity: 35 round detachable box or 71 round drum
Weight of Loaded Magazines: 1.5 lbs, box type (.680 kg), 4 lbs. drum type (1.840 kg)
Sights: Tangent with open "U" notch, adjustable from 50 to 500 meters. On the later models,
there is an open "U" notch "L" flip rear sight set for 100 and 200 meters.
I would not make a trip just for this but if yuou are in the area it might be worth your time if you like this gun.
Here is the town in the early 40's (the town just celebrated it's 400th anniversary)
I never did like the looks to much of this gun and never thought much about it but after talking to this Russin lady I have have some respect for this gun. It was invented by Georgii Shpagin who was a "tinker" and he came up with a easially produced gun (stamped) not milled and it was brought to the attention of some officals
.
(here is his patient)
They decited to make this gun in this town and they converted the existing textile factory to make the guns. They took 10 train loads of materials and retooled the factory in 30 days! and they they produced 2.5 million guns in that town alone!
Here is one picture of the trains arriving.
The guns were mainly made by women and children.
The people sacrificed so the men would have guns and they gave current soldiers as they headed to the battle field food ,etc- to help with the effort to defeat the Germans
A total of 5 million were produced in Russia. Georgii Shpagin only lived to 46 or 47 here is the paper when he died but he had secured his place in Russian history.
They used this gun with great affect and here are a few "action shots"
After the war this factory made some AK's then custom 308 AKs here are a few pictures
You see this gun on allot of statutes in Russia and I now have some respect for it. I hope you enjoyed the pictures and history.
gun stats:
Cartridge: 7.62x25 (interchangeable with 7.63 Mauser; aka- .30 Mauser)
Type of Operation: Blowback
Cyclic rate: 900 rpm
Muzzle velocity: c.1600fps (488mps)
Type of Fire: Selective: full-automatic and semi-automatic
Length: 33.10 in. (828mm)
Barrel: 4 grooves, right-hand twist
Barrel Length: 10.60 in (265mm)
Weight unloaded: 8 lbs. (3.64 kg), with drum 12 lbs. (5.40 kg)
Type of Feed Mechanism: Single position feed, stamped sheet-metal, curved box magazine.
Also, a drum magazine similar to the PPD type, but possessing two feed lips.
Magazine capacity: 35 round detachable box or 71 round drum
Weight of Loaded Magazines: 1.5 lbs, box type (.680 kg), 4 lbs. drum type (1.840 kg)
Sights: Tangent with open "U" notch, adjustable from 50 to 500 meters. On the later models,
there is an open "U" notch "L" flip rear sight set for 100 and 200 meters.
I would not make a trip just for this but if yuou are in the area it might be worth your time if you like this gun.
