MP 3008

The MP 3008 (Maschinenpistole 3008) was a German emergency submachine gun manufactured towards the end of World War II. Also known as the "Volksmaschinenpistole" ("People's Submachine Gun"), it was intended as a readily produced, inexpensive weapon to arm the Volkssturm (People's Storm) and other last-ditch defense forces.

The design of the MP 3008 was heavily influenced by the British Sten submachine gun. Its simplified construction was meant to expedite production using less sophisticated tooling. Unlike other German submachine guns of the war, the MP 3008 featured a side-mounted magazine, similar to the Sten, further simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing the need for complex tooling.

The MP 3008 fired the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge and typically used the same 32-round magazines as the MP 40. While functional, its crude construction and lack of refinements meant that reliability and accuracy were often compromised. The quality of materials and workmanship varied significantly depending on the production facility, reflecting the desperate conditions under which it was manufactured.

While the MP 3008 was produced in relatively large numbers compared to other late-war emergency weapons, it ultimately saw limited combat service and had little impact on the outcome of the war. The weapon is now a collectible firearm, representing a tangible example of Germany's efforts to arm its population in the face of imminent defeat.