United Defense M42

[Magnum PI]

Has anyone encountered one of these weapons here in Canada?

In a private collection or a museum? I believe they are rather scarce as most were supplied to resistance fighters in Europe later in WWII. Some also went to the Philippines. Designed at High Standard and manufactured by Marlin. Prototypes in both 9mm and 45ACP but produced only in 9mm. The magazines held 25 rounds and there were also "doubles" made by welding two singles face to face.

 

[Mr Wolverine]

I have never even seen one let alone handled one. I would love to get my hands on one. I have read that lots of them were used on the island of Crete after the German invasion and in that general area by various "special forces". Where did the photo come from?

 

[machman]

Forgotten Weapons covered it recently.
http://www.forgottenweapons.com/marlin-ud-42-from-the-dutch-resistance/

 

[Magnum PI]

I have never even seen one let alone handled one. I would love to get my hands on one. I have read that lots of them were used on the island of Crete after the German invasion and in that general area by various "special forces". Where did the photo come from?

At a Thompson Collectors Association show and shoot in Ohio one of the members brought this gun to the range. I was thrilled to be allowed to shoot it as I never thought I'd ever encounter a UD42. I asked if I could take a few pictures of it when the shooting was done and this was one of them. A big concern is there is no supply of spare parts if anything breaks. Much slimmer and sleeker than a Reising. Sweet little rig but still a bit heavier than you might expect.

 

[Mr Wolverine]

At a Thompson Collectors Association show and shoot in Ohio one of the members brought this gun to the range. I was thrilled to be allowed to shoot it as I never thought I'd ever encounter a UD42. I asked if I could take a few pictures of it when the shooting was done and this was one of them. A big concern is there is no supply of spare parts if anything breaks. Much slimmer and sleeker than a Reising. Sweet little rig but still a bit heavier than you might expect.

Thank you, you "lucky dog" they always appealed to me.

 

[buzzmagoo]

Kinda a Thompson Sten mix ! From the look of it .

 

[yorgi]

I have never even seen one let alone handled one. I would love to get my hands on one. I have read that lots of them were used on the island of Crete after the German invasion and in that general area by various "special forces". Where did the photo come from?

Stanley Moss's book "Ill met by moonlight", the story of the abduction of General Kreipe in Crete, there are multiple period pictures of Cretan resistance fighters posing with their UD42's.

 

[Mr Wolverine]

Stanley Moss's book "Ill met by moonlight", the story of the abduction of General Kreipe in Crete, there are multiple period pictures of Cretan resistance fighters posing with their UD42's.

Exactly, and after visiting Crete, walking the battle fields and reading all I could find on their WWII conflict, the UD42 peeked my interest, she always got good reviews. Stanley Moss's book is a great read, so much forgotten history.