Shpagin PPSh Submachine Gun with a Commemorative Inscription, 1945

This submachine gun of Georgy Shpagin's system stands out among millions of identical weapons thanks to a commemorative inscription. It is engraved on a light-coloured shaped quadrangular plate fixed to the right side of the butt. The catalogue dates this example to 24 April 1945 and gives Moscow as the place of origin.

The PPSh was adopted for service on 21 December 1940 and fires a 7.62 mm pistol cartridge. Around 6 million of these submachine guns were produced during the war. It works by the recoil of a free-moving blowback bolt, and a selector by the trigger allows the firing mode to be chosen.

The barrel is enclosed in a jacket that hinges open together with the receiver cover. The sight is set for firing at 100 and 200 metres, and a trap in the butt holds the cleaning kit. The stock is wooden, the metal parts are blued, and the barrel jacket is stamped.