Viper MkI: A Simplified Steampunk Sten

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  • čas přidán 25. 04. 2019
  • / forgottenweapons
    Cool Forgotten Weapons merch! shop.bbtv.com/collections/forg...
    The Viper Mk I was an experimental submachine gun developed in the UK for use by military policemen in post-WW2 occupation West Germany. It was a simplified Sten gun (full-auto only, without the semiauto option normally included in the Sten trigger mechanism) put into a wooden housing. It was intended to be carried slung over one shouldered fired under the arm with just one hand. To this end, it had neither sights nor trigger guard. The whole concept seems pretty questionable, and while multiple different Viper submachine guns were designed to fill this role, none were ever adopted.
    Many thanks to the Royal Armouries for allowing me to film and disassemble this very rare rifle! The NFC collection there - perhaps the best military small arms collection in Western Europe - is available by appointment to researchers:
    royalarmouries.org/research/n...
    You can browse the various Armouries collections online here:
    royalarmouries.org/collection/
    Contact:
    Forgotten Weapons
    PO Box 87647
    Tucson, AZ 85754

Komentáře • 2,3K

  • @immimm9586
    @immimm9586 Před 5 lety +2683

    When hearing SIMPLIFIED STEN I think of someone beating the primer of the cartridges with a hammer

    • @AdamWhistle1
      @AdamWhistle1 Před 5 lety +96

      I think the next step on simplification would have been that, more or less. Maybe with a cranky.

    • @Tacticaviator7
      @Tacticaviator7 Před 5 lety +55

      I though of a pipe gun

    • @texasforever6950
      @texasforever6950 Před 5 lety +25

      @Luke Z idk bro, us Texans like it too

    • @aroniense21
      @aroniense21 Před 5 lety +31

      I mm I mm so the Cobray Terminator?

    • @afs101
      @afs101 Před 5 lety +19

      Throwing handfuls of brass

  • @MrRugbylane
    @MrRugbylane Před 5 lety +4132

    Sten owner: "My Sten is the most rudimentary machine pistol on the planet"
    Viper owner: "Hold my beer.... on second thoughts I can keep holding my own beer".

    • @takeawaykitty.
      @takeawaykitty. Před 5 lety +39

      This disserves more than 4 likes here is the 5th if I could give more I would, well done sir

    • @MrRugbylane
      @MrRugbylane Před 5 lety +7

      @@takeawaykitty. :) thanks

    • @RNKel1
      @RNKel1 Před 5 lety +45

      You mean hold my tea?

    • @alf8916
      @alf8916 Před 5 lety +4

      Lmao

    • @RasputinReview
      @RasputinReview Před 5 lety +11

      Owen gun owner: :^)

  • @spudgunn8695
    @spudgunn8695 Před 5 lety +641

    They needed to be able to shoot it one handed, as the other hand would be holding an English-German phrase book!😂🤣😂

    • @Im_The_Slep
      @Im_The_Slep Před 3 lety +5

      Wanker

    • @samholdsworth3957
      @samholdsworth3957 Před 3 lety

      Nein!

    • @josecbritos
      @josecbritos Před 3 lety +27

      I wonder how do you say “my hovercraft is full of eels” in german 🤔🤔

    • @spudgunn8695
      @spudgunn8695 Před 3 lety +19

      @@josecbritos mein luftkissenboot ist voller Aale .
      You're welcome!😘

    • @spudgunn8695
      @spudgunn8695 Před 3 lety +6

      @@josecbritos sorry I screwed up the translation first time!

  • @ianmacfarlane1241
    @ianmacfarlane1241 Před 4 lety +387

    Advertising for 200 new positions at armaments manufacturer -
    "Gunsmith?"
    "No, cabinet maker".

  • @Chrisket
    @Chrisket Před 5 lety +6172

    A simplified Sten? Pretty sure the next step down is a brick that you just chuck at people...

    • @bleh8789
      @bleh8789 Před 5 lety +267

      You mean a cramped Mosin?

    • @Killatomate85
      @Killatomate85 Před 5 lety +392

      you fail to grasp the brilliance of this design. you cannot miss your target because you are not aiming at a target in the first place. spray and -pray- win.

    • @Arynkows
      @Arynkows Před 5 lety +41

      So L.M.P. 1889 then -> czcams.com/video/olLjXYKfUYA/video.html

    • @davidhonfi2683
      @davidhonfi2683 Před 5 lety +31

      god damnit I wanted to make that joke dude.....:(

    • @seankeaney823
      @seankeaney823 Před 5 lety +61

      My first thought was: Simplified Sten isn’t that like a more complex Rube Goldberg Machine?

  • @kaffykathy8729
    @kaffykathy8729 Před 5 lety +2502

    "We need to make a one handed SMG."
    "Why sir?"
    "Well what happens if we get attacked during Tea Time?"

    • @PHOBOS300
      @PHOBOS300 Před 5 lety +97

      to free up your other hand for another gun

    • @cleanerben9636
      @cleanerben9636 Před 5 lety +190

      @@PHOBOS300 In your other hand you unscrew your pommel from your sword so you can finish the enemy rightly.

    • @Dick_Gozinya
      @Dick_Gozinya Před 5 lety +146

      "Bloody hell! My monocle keeps falling off when I shoot the Sten gun! Tell Q to make me one I can shoot one-handed, so I can keep my monocle in!"

    • @ketsuekikumori9145
      @ketsuekikumori9145 Před 5 lety +73

      Isn't it obligatory British politeness to give them baddies a two-finger salute while shooting them?

    • @flightlesschicken7769
      @flightlesschicken7769 Před 5 lety +46

      @@cleanerben9636 I approve of this statement. The gun is just there to buy time while you unscrew the pommel.

  • @PNSHDSako
    @PNSHDSako Před 4 lety +622

    “At first I was joking about them threading the wood”
    Say sike
    “And lo and behold”
    Please-

  • @MidnightRobotics
    @MidnightRobotics Před 3 lety +169

    "That's a Sten? Oh, next thing you'll tell me is that it has to be disassembled like a nerf gun lmao"
    *Viper opens like a nerf gun*
    ._.

  • @BennettIsAmazing
    @BennettIsAmazing Před 5 lety +1691

    Why one handed? DUAL WIELDING OF COURSE!

    • @ArcturusOTE
      @ArcturusOTE Před 5 lety +50

      Macedonian shooting as they used to say

    • @Lobosatirico
      @Lobosatirico Před 5 lety +45

      What they wanted was for the officer to be able to fetch a new magazine while shooting, so the reload time was minimised. It makes no sense though.

    • @556deltawolf
      @556deltawolf Před 5 lety +45

      I think another reason could've been because the occupation forces would mostly serve as police and the idea is that with a particularly stubborn criminal you could use your free hand to do the arresting but still have your weapon drawn in case you needed it. Still impractical. @@Lobosatirico

    • @SeraphinaPZ
      @SeraphinaPZ Před 5 lety +4

      Dual wielding is great and all, but can it shoot .32 ACP?

    • @brottarnacke
      @brottarnacke Před 5 lety

      Can't believe he even had to ask. :-D

  • @bleh8789
    @bleh8789 Před 5 lety +2076

    Finally I can scratch my taint while laying down automatic fire as God intended

    • @kieronwithano
      @kieronwithano Před 5 lety +109

      I've been having a rough day but this comment just made my night.
      Thank you random stranger on the internet.
      Also good taste in albums.

    • @bleh8789
      @bleh8789 Před 5 lety +38

      @@kieronwithano

    • @brucebaxter6923
      @brucebaxter6923 Před 5 lety +10

      yee haw

    • @kaplox
      @kaplox Před 5 lety +30

      The best comment I have ever seen. I hope Gun Jesus sees this.

    • @siegfriedsiegfried726
      @siegfriedsiegfried726 Před 5 lety +5

      god bless

  • @Tobascodagama
    @Tobascodagama Před 5 lety +448

    "We need something even cheaper than the Sten to issue to military police."
    "Great. Here's my idea. First off, instead of stamped or milled metal, let's have everything, even the screw threads for the barrel nut, hand-crafted out of wood."

    • @StrawberryShmello
      @StrawberryShmello Před 3 lety +46

      *dual wielding these things and wearing sunglasses while they burst into flames and heavy metal plays*
      G R O O V Y

    • @joshuahadams
      @joshuahadams Před rokem +4

      @@StrawberryShmello looking like the worlds smallest dual-mounted AA emplacement.

    • @OCTO358
      @OCTO358 Před 10 měsíci +1

      Why not bakelite, I wonder

    • @tomaspabon2484
      @tomaspabon2484 Před 7 měsíci +3

      ​@@OCTO358I assume thats what would've been done if it had somehow been adopted. Its hard to justify the cost of a mold for a prototype

  • @KRIMZONMEKANISM
    @KRIMZONMEKANISM Před 5 lety +686

    "One-handed weapons suit me just fine, they leave one hand free for making rude gestures." - Inigo, unofficial follower from Skyrim

    • @GoredonTheDestroyer
      @GoredonTheDestroyer Před 4 lety +11

      That's a mood.

    • @MayDayMei98
      @MayDayMei98 Před 4 lety +22

      The Viper Sten does seem like the sort of weapon one would use while making rude gestures at the enemy.

    • @kure7586
      @kure7586 Před 3 lety +12

      Actually this could make sense. Policeman need to be able to communicate with the populous and he doesn't speak German. If he doesn't holds the weapon in both hands at least he can gesture to stop or go left. It's a stretch though.

    • @S0renz
      @S0renz Před 3 lety +6

      Why use one Viper when you can use two? It leaves the other hand free for another one-handed weapon.

    • @jidk6565
      @jidk6565 Před 7 měsíci

      Best Skyrim follower

  • @Agentcoolguy1
    @Agentcoolguy1 Před 5 lety +460

    They developed this so that British officers can hose down ruffians with one hand while holding their cup of tea in the other, as God intended.

    • @thedeterminedsoul4900
      @thedeterminedsoul4900 Před 4 lety +9

      Ah yes. Doing God's work.

    • @DatBoi-mo9vc
      @DatBoi-mo9vc Před 4 lety +7

      This is a proof of concept if all you have is a knife, a block of wood, a tube, and one single spring

    • @ILikeToLaughAtYou
      @ILikeToLaughAtYou Před 4 lety +3

      For king and country!

    • @JDWDMC
      @JDWDMC Před 4 lety +1

      A pipe, actually.

    • @JDWDMC
      @JDWDMC Před 4 lety +6

      @@spyczech What on EARTH is a muffet?

  • @cargo_vroom9729
    @cargo_vroom9729 Před 5 lety +434

    "What if, now stick with me, we made a gun that makes no sense."
    "I'm listening."

  • @killerdove123
    @killerdove123 Před 5 lety +294

    The damn thing needs a “This side up” sticker

  • @DarknessViper99
    @DarknessViper99 Před 5 lety +471

    “Let me just casually grab this Sten Mk. II we have lying around for comparison.”
    Say what now?

    • @peterlewerin4213
      @peterlewerin4213 Před 4 lety +59

      Of course I always have a Sten Mk II with me. I'm not some kind of animal.

    • @ledichang9708
      @ledichang9708 Před 4 lety +33

      It's the Royal Armoruy.

    • @waynemongo
      @waynemongo Před 4 lety +1

      @@peterlewerin4213🙂

    • @alvaricoke41
      @alvaricoke41 Před 4 lety +15

      Now I'm feeling dumb for not having a Sten Mk. II for technical purposes.

    • @bobcostas6272
      @bobcostas6272 Před 3 lety

      >he doesnt carry a sten in the keester bag 24/7

  • @sadkat9162
    @sadkat9162 Před 5 lety +878

    Obviously, they were doing rude gestures with the other.

  • @ericx777
    @ericx777 Před 5 lety +3629

    A poorly trained, overzealous cop firing a full-auto weapon with no sights from the hip in an urban environment... what could go wrong?

    • @elroyscout
      @elroyscout Před 5 lety +147

      Probally everything

    • @paperclass4009
      @paperclass4009 Před 5 lety +317

      civilians ? nah more like acceptable casualties

    • @User0768
      @User0768 Před 5 lety +141

      Don't forget the possibility of sparking an international incident if some major accident occurred in Berlin.

    • @JennyGormanRitter
      @JennyGormanRitter Před 5 lety +43

      You guys do understand that MP is an actual job, right? It's a soldier, nothing more, nothing less.

    • @martinm6368
      @martinm6368 Před 5 lety +164

      ​@@JennyGormanRitter, if you think that gun was appropriate for MPs, I think it's you who doesn't understand the actual job. Hint: It's not mowing down crowds of unarmed people.

  • @sliceofbread2611
    @sliceofbread2611 Před 5 lety +431

    "They just threaded the wood."
    i want that on a t-shirt

  • @curtiskeele6183
    @curtiskeele6183 Před 5 lety +633

    I've never just sat and laughed at a gun before. makes you wonder if "experimental" meant "our manufacturing capacity has been decimated due to all of the bombs from WW2 and Ralph says he can make a bloody lot of these in his garage".

  • @svtirefire
    @svtirefire Před 5 lety +564

    A super-simplified mechanism, wrapped up in the most complicated machined wood stock ever made.

    • @fuzzydunlop7928
      @fuzzydunlop7928 Před 5 lety +73

      This is how I feel about soft shell tacos that are too intricately folded.

    • @borismuller86
      @borismuller86 Před 5 lety +30

      It’s honestly the sort of thing a carpenter would make to show off...

    • @antonw-uw4ov
      @antonw-uw4ov Před 5 lety +24

      svtirefire wood is very easy to machine compared to any metal, it does'nt stick to the cutting tools, require no lubricants or cooling to cut and does not dull the tools. So regadless of it being a bad idea to make gun parts from wood; it's very fast and easy.

    • @svtirefire
      @svtirefire Před 5 lety +26

      @antonw194200 I'll agree that wood machines quicker than metal, but wood most certainly does dull tools!

    • @antonw-uw4ov
      @antonw-uw4ov Před 5 lety +13

      Technically speaking yes, but practically no. Steel and aluminum will dull endmills and such in a matter of hours, wood will probably take years, i haven't really managed to dull a bit on wood so i would not know… but I'm guessing it would take a while…. My point is that from a manufacturing standpoint the tool life on a mill that only sees wood is almost endless compared to a mill that sees a lot of brass, aluminum and steel.

  • @jonathanferguson1211
    @jonathanferguson1211 Před 5 lety +255

    As is often the case, more research gets done after filming wraps. We have the surviving documentation on the Viper. This type was invented in 1943 (by Derek Hutton-Williams), so definitely not for police or border guards. The only mention of its intended purpose is actually 'over the beach' Commando-style operations (including the casing being intended to float!), the other hand being free for grenade use, with an additional covert role (in which case you could use the free hand as a support hand). This first pattern gun (they had no official designation) went nowhere. The totally different 'No.3' version appeared in 1945 feeding from Mp40 mags. It's possible that this was proposed as a border guard weapon.

    • @ptonpc
      @ptonpc Před 5 lety +8

      Thank you. That makes sense.

    • @decnet100
      @decnet100 Před 5 lety +7

      This should probably get upvoted by Ian, so people can stop guessing what it was actually intended for :) I may have gotten the purpose entirely wrong in my own reasonings, but at least I was right about the year of development probably giving the best hints in that regard. Cheers!

    • @ptonpc
      @ptonpc Před 5 lety +1

      @@decnet100 Agreed. It should be pinned

    • @wisecrack3461
      @wisecrack3461 Před 5 lety +1

      Any sources I can look into? I wanna look into this gun some more :D

    • @willdavis7846
      @willdavis7846 Před 5 lety +1

      So this is like a special forces kinda gun? Like used in certain missions and shit?

  • @MrSaywutnow
    @MrSaywutnow Před 4 lety +147

    "It's not entirely clear what they were doing with the other hand."
    Firing another viper?

  • @theorangeofallahpbuh1840
    @theorangeofallahpbuh1840 Před 4 lety +105

    It’s literally just a tube with side holes and a spring encased in wood

  • @bluemonday09
    @bluemonday09 Před 5 lety +324

    I wonder if this was created due to a rule or law that the police couldn't carry rifles or sub-machine guns, but could carry pistols (with pistols defined as guns used one handed)

    • @tigercustardman3567
      @tigercustardman3567 Před 5 lety +42

      Id argue that the one handed design was because its for policemen, who would need to use the other hand for different tasks (checking documents, handcuffing people etc)
      Military police in this period were carrying Enfields and Stens already, they probably wanted the same degree of firepower but better handiness (basically what the Skorpion would offer)

    • @dirus3142
      @dirus3142 Před 5 lety +9

      @@zoiders That makes sense. The other hand is reaching for documents while still being able to cover the person in question. Then again, you could have had a second guy covering the one asking for documents.

    • @kohinarec6580
      @kohinarec6580 Před 5 lety +6

      @@zoiders I thought of that too and made a fool of myself by suggesting that idea after you in this comment section.
      A tip of my hat to you sir but keep those hands visible!

    • @TheSuburban15
      @TheSuburban15 Před 5 lety +2

      My first reaction was - pistol arm brace v1.0. Or, I guess, Mark 1 in British parlance.

    • @juliosunga3530
      @juliosunga3530 Před 5 lety

      if that is ur definition of a pistol, i guess my dick would count as one

  • @SibbTigre
    @SibbTigre Před 5 lety +357

    This gun would have been perfect for all bad-guys in films that never used the sights on their firearms.

    • @benpeters5851
      @benpeters5851 Před 5 lety +15

      And here I thought it was only communist countries that didn't care about aiming.

    • @borismuller86
      @borismuller86 Před 5 lety +5

      You wouldn’t want our hero getting hit now would you?

    • @styx7027
      @styx7027 Před 5 lety +6

      so it is perfect for the stormtroopers?

    • @Floris_VI
      @Floris_VI Před 5 lety

      So about every bad guy?

    • @Hebdomad7
      @Hebdomad7 Před 5 lety +1

      Weapon of choice for the imperial storm trooper school of marksmanship?

  • @pco1984
    @pco1984 Před 5 lety +185

    How about for use at checkpoints?
    You then already have a gun at the ready and you can check papers at the same time, decreasing reaction time between "holy shit this guy has a gun" and "get the coroner" as they wouldn't have to step back, grab a firearm, rack, aim and fire.... that's pretty much the only situation I can think of...

    • @flyboymike111357
      @flyboymike111357 Před 3 lety +9

      Wrestling one guy who threw a molotov and a volksturm tween comes around the corner with a panzerschreck.

    • @YourSideHoe
      @YourSideHoe Před 3 lety +8

      That’s actually pretty on point

  • @jabiliuson1270
    @jabiliuson1270 Před 4 lety +33

    "yes, they simplified a Sten"
    *this is beyond science*

  • @repletereplete8002
    @repletereplete8002 Před 5 lety +232

    Has the added benefit it can double as a cricket bat.

  • @OddballSherman
    @OddballSherman Před 5 lety +193

    "Wouldn't it be hilarious if they threaded the wood?"
    Chuckles, unscrews nose cap.
    "They actually threaded the wood!"
    Falls off chair laughing.

  • @jacobmccandles1767
    @jacobmccandles1767 Před 4 lety +55

    "Simplified Sten"? That cracks me up. Isn't that like trying to simplify a rock?

  • @rileybailey8873
    @rileybailey8873 Před 4 lety +14

    "Yes Tom, I do realize we already have a cheap sub machine gun"
    "Make it cheaper, and it better be finished when we meet for Biscuits and tea"

  • @chubbycatfish4573
    @chubbycatfish4573 Před 5 lety +423

    This looks like an alpha version 0.0000000001 FN P90.

    • @vabu94
      @vabu94 Před 5 lety +15

      More like P90 2.0
      With modern polymer body and a little more work on the metals it would look pretty nice.

    • @94EyeEagle
      @94EyeEagle Před 5 lety +6

      or mp7?

    • @gustavgnoettgen
      @gustavgnoettgen Před 5 lety +4

      "But we have to talk about the magazine... Later"

    • @zgmfx-09a
      @zgmfx-09a Před 5 lety +7

      89 models earlier

    • @rifles_up2263
      @rifles_up2263 Před 5 lety +2

      😂first gen

  • @TheDrLeviathan
    @TheDrLeviathan Před 5 lety +208

    Taken from the manual:
    "While firing at those woebegone ne'er-do-wells, your free hand should be holding your tea, using your cane, or tipping your hat."

    • @riflegreen937
      @riflegreen937 Před 4 lety +9

      Proper handling for proper gentlemen.

    • @afunnyman
      @afunnyman Před 4 lety +9

      The weapon of choice for a redditor

  • @NoahLappen
    @NoahLappen Před 4 lety +36

    6:00 that's not a simplified Sten...
    that's a tube with a sear

  • @Ben_not_10
    @Ben_not_10 Před měsícem +2

    People talk about Bubba and his kitchen table but Nigel in his shed is almost more terrifying

  • @jasonirwin4631
    @jasonirwin4631 Před 5 lety +127

    Simplified Sten? is that where you just throw a hand full of 9mm at some one.

  • @bofoenss8393
    @bofoenss8393 Před 5 lety +146

    I just love the incredulous tone in Ian's voice at "they actually managed to simplify the Sten gun(?)"

    • @styx7027
      @styx7027 Před 5 lety +6

      who would not be? during the war, you could build a Sten gun in your garage with only a few tools and a parts kit

    • @andrewlee-do3rf
      @andrewlee-do3rf Před 5 lety +3

      @@styx7027 So tru. That's how the Germans did it with their own versions (MP 3008). Apparently it was so damn simple to build that contracts to build the guns were given to small workshops (not dedicated factories)

  • @ArmchairDeity
    @ArmchairDeity Před 3 lety +35

    Ian: “This was never adopted”
    Me: like the elderly cat at the shelter... yanno the one with one eye, 3 legs, no tail, and a bum pancreas?
    Imaginary Ian: Yes, Jared. Exactly like that one.

  • @UTubeHandlesSuck
    @UTubeHandlesSuck Před 3 lety +8

    "They actually threaded the wood."
    I now have the perfect name for my new rock band.

  • @aidanfarnan4683
    @aidanfarnan4683 Před 5 lety +302

    US MP: "You're drunk Private." *pulls out nightstick*
    UK MP "I'M DRUNK SIR!" *Fires wildly into the sky.*

    • @davidgreen5099
      @davidgreen5099 Před 5 lety

      @Caffeinated Wizard I know, i just wear the insults proudly.

    • @davidgreen5099
      @davidgreen5099 Před 5 lety

      @Caffeinated Wizard 😊😊😊😊 I had an older friend that flew the Airlift.

    • @greenbrickbox3392
      @greenbrickbox3392 Před 4 lety

      @Marginally Sapient Cactus lol the average private is closer to the stereotype than to George Marshall

  • @johnfisk811
    @johnfisk811 Před 5 lety +54

    The key thing here is the sling system. Clearly a concealable SMG worn under a coat. The other hand opening the coat. I suspect the RMP reference is a cover story.

    • @ethanyeung6216
      @ethanyeung6216 Před 3 lety +9

      a smg for flashers, finally a weapons system that caters to people like me

    • @antjeeismann4684
      @antjeeismann4684 Před rokem

      I'd Imagine that the side Magazine would make this kinda incomfortable

    • @universal_exports3276
      @universal_exports3276 Před 3 měsíci

      RMP duties also include close protection, so it makes sense for one handed operation while the other is keeping a grip on your principle.

  • @JL-cn1qi
    @JL-cn1qi Před 5 lety +14

    " Are they still walking around doing that silly Hitler mustach with their fingers ?"
    -" Yep, doesn't look like that one is getting old anytime soon"
    " Goddammed! Allright, ... show me damn Sten schematics again"

  • @chrissheppard5068
    @chrissheppard5068 Před 5 lety +13

    Its so some military police rozzer can mow down the bad guys while also directing traffic. Multitasking at its worst. The designer behind this then went on to make the SA80.

  • @TheNovaks47
    @TheNovaks47 Před 5 lety +16

    I can just imagine someone staring at a Sten, and thinking, "Too complex, this needs to be simplified".
    It's amazing the thought and care that went into making such an utterly useless firearm.

  • @walkercobb2808
    @walkercobb2808 Před 5 lety +261

    This feels like a gun designed by somebody who knows the minutiae and details of how to make a functional gun, but none of the broad strokes of ergonomics or important features. Like some kind of inverse SA-80.

    • @abk4202020
      @abk4202020 Před 5 lety +3

      Thank God I had my m4

    • @jayzenitram9621
      @jayzenitram9621 Před 5 lety +4

      Exactly! How the hell do you hang that from your right shoulder when the mag sticks out of the left side of the gun?

    • @tSp289
      @tSp289 Před 5 lety +3

      @@jayzenitram9621 Remember both the Sten and this were being produced by a country that had almost literally no money left. Quick, dirty, works (sort of).

    • @crc_mircea
      @crc_mircea Před 5 lety +9

      @@tSp289 You mean dirty deeds done dirt cheap

    • @liamkerr7183
      @liamkerr7183 Před 4 lety

      @@jayzenitram9621 I imagine they didn't just walk around with it loaded especially considering the fact that it has a sketchy safety

  • @ChiTownGuerrilla
    @ChiTownGuerrilla Před 5 lety +5

    Such a cool gun. Basically a tube, bolt, barrell, trigger and mag! Awesome

  • @KRiSK9000
    @KRiSK9000 Před 5 lety +7

    0:48 Akimbo. They were visionary men.

  • @trogdor8764
    @trogdor8764 Před 5 lety +115

    An automatic weapon for firing from a motorcycle so you can keep one hand on the handlebars...? Or perhaps from behind a riot shield, though this gun seems to precede that concept...

    • @alekpo2000
      @alekpo2000 Před 4 lety +7

      shooting a riot whit a machinegun? just spraying bullets lol

    • @pauladams1829
      @pauladams1829 Před 4 lety +8

      Be good for winter troops skiing? No trigger guard so no need to take off your gloves.

    • @matthewbrasel2737
      @matthewbrasel2737 Před 4 lety +2

      Perhaps for while the mp was checking papers

    • @MisterSingh.
      @MisterSingh. Před 7 měsíci +1

      you were right in the first sentence

    • @trogdor8764
      @trogdor8764 Před 7 měsíci

      @@MisterSingh. Either that or from some other moving vehicle like a train?

  • @leokafig5354
    @leokafig5354 Před 5 lety +443

    Is it possible, that this was designed for Motorcycle Police? A lot of Police Motorcycles had the throttle on the left side of the handle bar, so they could shoot handguns properly. A machine gun would provide even more Firepower.
    (I´m imagening very awesome Police chasings with those sten guns.)

    • @PonzooonTheGreat
      @PonzooonTheGreat Před 5 lety +71

      @Jim Man still much better than pinking away with a pistol on a moving bike.

    • @petebeatminister
      @petebeatminister Před 5 lety +19

      I think this is well possible.

    • @smoketatum6730
      @smoketatum6730 Před 5 lety +20

      Thats exactly what I was thinking too. I cant see another explanation for this. Short bursts are best way for moving targets.

    • @420JackG
      @420JackG Před 5 lety +61

      Motorcycle police were my first thought as well. No trigger guard so you can wear road gloves, single arm sling.... screams bike gun.

    • @ugafangpulliam
      @ugafangpulliam Před 5 lety +52

      Precisely what it is. There are pictures and videos showing British soldiers and police training as well as patrolling with these guns on motorbikes. The idea was to shoot your twenty round burst at the first instant of trouble to get the upper hand ... shoot the tyres of a car, get a fleeing prisoner to dive into a ravine, etc. Then pull out your pistol ... on or off your motorcycle ... for more accurate fire and subduing of fleeing personnel.

  • @iaminside1
    @iaminside1 Před 4 lety +31

    "We modified a Sten to make it weird."
    "Why not just use the Sten?"
    "Do you see this silly looking wooden thing? C'mon?"

  • @JugglesGrenades
    @JugglesGrenades Před 3 lety +3

    "A simplified STEN gun." Never thought I would hear those words used together.

  • @argenti3609
    @argenti3609 Před 5 lety +21

    2 reasons why you need a one handed smg.
    A: another SMG or weapon
    B: to drink tea

  • @munkSWE88
    @munkSWE88 Před 5 lety +214

    I'm guessing you use the other hand for a riot shield/flashlight or checking documents

    • @v.w.singer9638
      @v.w.singer9638 Před 5 lety +59

      Exactly. I would guess they envisaged groups of demobbed German troops, SS, and militia, wandering the streets without jobs and desperate. The MP goes, "You lot, halt! Show me your ... " and the group produce clubs and knives and rush him. Post war Germany was literally Mad Max territory in some places. I'm not saying this happened a lot, but what the Brits thought might happen.

    • @clawrence034
      @clawrence034 Před 5 lety +21

      ​@@v.w.singer9638 Especially given the recent history of demobilization after WW1, The western allies definitely didn't want to let history repeat itself. The Western Allies were worried about a communist uprising and definitely didn't want to have to rely on those demobilized SS troops to crush it, like they had done with the freikorps vs the Spartacist revolt. Having a large military police presence was part of this post war anti-communist strategy along with the Marshall plan, and the CIA's interventions in the Italian election of 1948 and elsewhere.

    • @fuzzydunlop7928
      @fuzzydunlop7928 Před 5 lety +7

      @@zoiders Can't say I'll lose much sleep over those. We're talking about the closing of the final act of the most barbarous war in both content and scope - am I supposed to be aghast because the Soviets did what Soviets had spent the entire war doing? If the US didn't want those people killed, they should've have given their details to the Russians - now, if the US WANTED those people out of the way it would be very convenient for us to quietly give their dossiers to the ruskies and then hold it against them later if/when the relationship turned sour - which almost everyone in the know knew was a 'when' instead of an 'if'.
      What the US should've done was hand over those Japanese murderers to the Communists - the same ones who had spent the war dropping pathogens on entire Chinese cities - instead of protecting and downplaying the Japanese atrocities. My point is that there are no 'good guys' in realpolitik.

    • @donjurga
      @donjurga Před 5 lety

      Oh that's it. And I thought it was the perfect gun for shooting / wanking akimbo style. Man has to deal with Testosteron, this gun - the ideal solution

  • @grayharker6271
    @grayharker6271 Před 20 dny +1

    I lived in Germany in the early 70s. Pursuing Polize would blow a whistle, and everyone on the street or train station were expected to drop down while the police shot at fleeing suspects! I had three different encounters with the polize every time. The first thing they did was draw their pistol and point it at me!

  • @vampyr2936
    @vampyr2936 Před 3 lety +6

    When you need to make more STENs but ran out of bedposts but you still have plenty of 2×4s

  • @TotalRookie_LV
    @TotalRookie_LV Před 5 lety +194

    Simplified STEN? Pardon, did I hear that right?

  • @DrEisenhower
    @DrEisenhower Před 5 lety +12

    Just when you thought British small arms design couldn't get more niche, this thing pops out of the archives and decks you in the jaw.

  • @pablorambo123
    @pablorambo123 Před 5 lety +9

    I would use this 100% for room clearances, imagine opening a door and being able to comfortably suppressor any attackers. Or maybe it was used by MP's in prisons?

  • @dsandoval9396
    @dsandoval9396 Před 5 lety +121

    2:05 "...hose down fleeing criminals in occupational West Germany..."
    First thing that came to mind was "...also known as refugees..."

  • @SquireComedy
    @SquireComedy Před 5 lety +42

    As if it wasn't simple enough...

    • @jamiebell314
      @jamiebell314 Před 5 lety +1

      Holy crap its SQUIRE!!! You are a comedy gem sir, and also you got me totally addicted to war thunder for years

    • @tlshortyshorty5810
      @tlshortyshorty5810 Před 5 lety

      How's the Swordfish?

  • @rad666a
    @rad666a Před 5 lety +58

    I find it rather startling you can even simplify the Sten.

    • @davehopkin9502
      @davehopkin9502 Před 5 lety +6

      Easy, you throw 9mm cartridges at the enemy.......

  • @Zippity181
    @Zippity181 Před 5 lety +4

    When Ian holds a gun from after WW2 then references it’s use in the 30’s we don’t correct him, we just agree WW2 ended in 1935. Gun Jesus has spoken!

  • @getmeoutofsanfrancisco9917

    Wow. The epitome of steel really being short of supply.

  • @filmcameras4evr45
    @filmcameras4evr45 Před 5 lety +8

    “We need something we can shoot one handed!”
    “I’ve got it!!! A Sten with some wood on it!”
    “Errr, guys, a pistol, maybe?”
    “STEN WITH WOOD!”

  • @garyneilson1833
    @garyneilson1833 Před 5 lety +85

    If it's for UK Military police then the other hand would be used for raising the barrier

    • @AdamWhistle1
      @AdamWhistle1 Před 5 lety +1

      Barrier? Could you please elaborate?

    • @desmoog
      @desmoog Před 5 lety +1

      Gary Neilson or whilst checking documents

    • @dongblak7048
      @dongblak7048 Před 5 lety +6

      For holding a cup of tea.

    • @gfarrell80
      @gfarrell80 Před 5 lety +2

      @@dongblak7048 yes... holding a cup of tea, or, if they were English bobbies, blowing a whistle.

    • @bilbobaggins4785
      @bilbobaggins4785 Před 5 lety +1

      @Nasim Aghdam what?!

  • @AINGELPROJECT667
    @AINGELPROJECT667 Před 4 lety +4

    "Now that we can fire these one handed, what do we do with our free hand?"
    "Hold another Viper, obviously."

  • @brianwilson2546
    @brianwilson2546 Před 27 dny +1

    Ian: “You would think that this would pose a tremendous hazard to any innocent folks who might be around.”
    1940s British MP: “They’re not innocent, they’re Germans!”

  • @bruceinoz8002
    @bruceinoz8002 Před 5 lety +10

    That's some neat wood-working.
    A "production" version would surely have an injection-moulded "plastic" stock kit that could easily include a triggerguard.
    Then again, there was the Patchett / Sterling looming over the horizon...

  • @artemoz726
    @artemoz726 Před 5 lety +197

    Occupational Germany? MP? I guess you hold documents of people you check in your left hand and you can still use the gun with your right hand. This explains the lack of sights too.

    • @OAlemaozinho
      @OAlemaozinho Před 5 lety +6

      Right, would've been my guess as well.

    • @antongrahn1499
      @antongrahn1499 Před 5 lety +14

      Its the best guess i think, but you could use a pistol. No Wonder it never got off the ground.

    • @brucebaxter6923
      @brucebaxter6923 Před 5 lety +12

      thanks for stating the obvious.
      Zu papieren bitte!

    • @HerrCherno
      @HerrCherno Před 5 lety +7

      Makes sense at first but I guess you really need two hands to properly check papers. Imagine someone handing you their passport, which would be more than a small card (it's a folded booklet-type), and you have to clumsily try to open it with one (weak) hand :)

    • @HingerlAlois
      @HingerlAlois Před 5 lety +12

      Bruce Baxter
      Die Papiere bitte...

  • @POTUSJimmyCarter
    @POTUSJimmyCarter Před měsícem +1

    This is a forgotten weapon in that the military forgot why they actually asked for it to exist in the first place.

  • @balderfrey20
    @balderfrey20 Před 5 lety +10

    THREADED THE WOOD. That is what im calling it from now on.

  • @NicktheMac
    @NicktheMac Před 5 lety +27

    "Simplified" and "Sten" in the same sentence... My first thought was "Pry bar".

  • @Qardo
    @Qardo Před 5 lety +25

    Man walks into the board room: Gentlemen. We need need to make a simpler Sten. All for a man to use in one hand.
    *Those in the room look at each other*
    Yeah. That is how I view this idea came to light.

    • @fuzzydunlop7928
      @fuzzydunlop7928 Před 5 lety +5

      That's likely pretty accurate - though perhaps instead of the board room it was a game of telephone as the order was passed down the pipe - each response in the chain being "....really? Oookay..."

  • @ryanmoore4717
    @ryanmoore4717 Před 4 lety

    I see the appeal. the stock holds your smokes and lighter, the gun leaves one hand free so you can smoke while glaring at people. brilliant.

  • @jamiemoore2550
    @jamiemoore2550 Před 5 lety +16

    Great video,pardon my French but this is what my grandfather would've called "A bas**rd thing of hell with no name" hello from wales... R.I.P. POPS...⚡🐉⚡

  • @Gojiro7
    @Gojiro7 Před 5 lety +12

    This thing is the living embodiment of Shoot first, Ask questions never XD

  • @GermDGator
    @GermDGator Před 5 lety +7

    Yes Ian, it is quite hard to believe that there is a simplified STEN gun. I’m actually impressed.

  • @33482
    @33482 Před 5 lety +66

    Simplified Sten: *Exists*
    Fallout Pipe guns: Am i a joke to you?

    • @silasisaspicyboi7458
      @silasisaspicyboi7458 Před 4 lety +1

      Judge Dredd I know right?

    • @SantaClaus-kk8zr
      @SantaClaus-kk8zr Před 3 lety +1

      The comment authenticator OWO Oh heaven forbid you get offended by memes.

    • @silasisaspicyboi7458
      @silasisaspicyboi7458 Před 3 lety

      Santa Claus it’s just over used you know

    • @33482
      @33482 Před 3 lety

      Memes: *exist*
      Offended People: Are we a joke to you?
      Me: Yes 😃

  • @SS-zg5dv
    @SS-zg5dv Před 4 lety +4

    "What were they doing with the other hand..."
    Dual-wielding sten guns, of course.

  • @5chr4pn3ll
    @5chr4pn3ll Před 5 lety +10

    ...Every once in a while you manage to find something that just astounds.
    What were they thinking? And why have I never known about this monstrosity?

  • @dominicksmeech2994
    @dominicksmeech2994 Před 5 lety +3

    Most people are amazed at,"It's simpler than a sten gun!!!", meanwhile I'm just admiring the beauty and complexity of the woodworking in the stock. Somehow, the people who made this not only managed to make the sten simpler, but also more externally attractive.

  • @nigelwhitaker9774
    @nigelwhitaker9774 Před 3 lety

    Wow... I thought I knew a bit about many wartime weapons, but this one is completely unknown to me ! Carry on the good work Ian (Proud to be a Patreon subscriber).

  • @Treblaine
    @Treblaine Před 3 lety +7

    "What are they doing with their other hand?" I've seen lots of photographs of British soldiers dragging someone by the scruff of the neck and awkwardly holding a Sterling Submachine gun in the other hand, apparently the British soldier was trying to arrest someone and using the gun to ward others off from trying to spring the arrested person loose.

  • @wstr1470
    @wstr1470 Před 5 lety +27

    Although the later 1950s police shows were not procedurals by any modern meaning, the ubiquity of 'Bobbies' handcuffing themselves to at least compliant or semi-compliant arrestees, (effectively disabling one arm) must mean there was a kernel of truth, in the 'come along' posture being one of the common prisoner handling methods of the time. It is even still occasionally used today in low risk Prison to Court transport.
    Therefore maybe the one-handed requirement was for the scenario of being ambushed when bringing a local in; given the then expected anti-occupation hostility and the greater threat in a nation awash with weapons?

    • @richardmontgomery8863
      @richardmontgomery8863 Před 5 lety +1

      Wstr Back when crims said ‘it’s a fair cop, you got me bang to rights’, or some such guff.

    • @wstr1470
      @wstr1470 Před 5 lety +2

      @@richardmontgomery8863 Stone me I've been perishing nicked have I not. * constable cuffs ear * . I've learnt me lesson guv'nor and no mistake.

  • @jamesnorlin1273
    @jamesnorlin1273 Před 5 lety +43

    Description says “WW@“. Love the channel. Thanks Ian!

    • @LovableCoolGuy
      @LovableCoolGuy Před 5 lety

      wwat are you talking about? it clearly says WW2.

    • @jamesnorlin1273
      @jamesnorlin1273 Před 5 lety

      LovableCoolGuy Because it’s been corrected since I posted my comment.

    • @borismuller86
      @borismuller86 Před 5 lety

      Stands for “Wh-WHAT?”

  • @alexalvarenga3482
    @alexalvarenga3482 Před 4 lety +2

    Ian (jokingly): Do you think they just threaded the wood?
    *looks at threaded wood*
    Ian (bewildered): ...well, I’ll be darned.

  • @patrickshannon4854
    @patrickshannon4854 Před měsícem

    I would’ve liked to have been a fly on the wall during the engineers presentation of that unique “whatsit”. What a bizarre firearm. The most interesting part is the craftsmanship & ingenuity that went into the design & fabrication of the wood stock.

  • @revolverDOOMGUY
    @revolverDOOMGUY Před 5 lety +76

    "you, engeneer, take the Sten gun and simplify it!"
    Engenner: "Ok, HOW!"

    • @liamkerr7183
      @liamkerr7183 Před 4 lety +12

      Normally I'm not a spelling or grammar Nazi but you did it twice so here ya go
      Engineer

    • @fuz5567
      @fuz5567 Před 4 lety +3

      how did you misspell engineer twice

    • @esh.831
      @esh.831 Před 4 lety

      I see what you did there mate 😂

  • @jameswarner8038
    @jameswarner8038 Před 5 lety +22

    Simplified sten gun, great band name

    • @bartoszlasota6547
      @bartoszlasota6547 Před 5 lety +2

      But their music should be as simple and primitive as it is humanly possible, I guess.

    • @kaplox
      @kaplox Před 5 lety +4

      Bartek - Beating on rocks with sticks and Neanderthalic screeching. My kind of music.

    • @rhinovirus2225
      @rhinovirus2225 Před 5 lety +1

      "Glorified version of a pellet gun "

    • @edmundscycles1
      @edmundscycles1 Před 5 lety +1

      That will start playing completely y accident if you drop the drummer

  • @BladeRicsi
    @BladeRicsi Před 4 lety +1

    I never thought that sten gun can be more simplifiable:)

  • @RomiWadaKatsu
    @RomiWadaKatsu Před 3 lety +5

    "Aah there it is, the murderous thief robbing the bank, you can get a clear shot"
    "Nope sorry, will have to mow down the entire room in the name of justice"
    RATATATATATA

  • @jerrykendall2426
    @jerrykendall2426 Před 5 lety +37

    Never trust a brit alone in his shed, he'll cook up the next best sniper rifle made out of plumbing parts

  • @dak4465
    @dak4465 Před 5 lety +19

    THE BEST DESCRIPTION: its cheap done well

    • @gunner678
      @gunner678 Před 5 lety +2

      Agreed, bull pup type weapon devoid of Sharpe bits to catch whilst in hot pursuit of a black marketeer.... I like it.

  • @bradcraig2978
    @bradcraig2978 Před 5 lety

    omg that took my by surprise!
    had no idea the Royal armouries had these weapons
    ima visit tomorrow

  • @axtmann
    @axtmann Před 5 lety

    I have a background in industrial design and while I have no firsthand knowledge of this gun, the wood stock looks to me exactly like the kind of carved wood patterns that used to be common for prototyping plastic products. 3D printers and CNC mills and urethane hard foams weren't available back then to make mould patterns or working prototypes. The hollow cavities, large radius corners, the buttstock grip, the stepped sealing lip around the outer edges as well as the threading for the barrel nut all seem designed with plastic moulding in mind. Especially early plastics that were difficult to force into moulds with sharp corners.

  • @reverendharrypowell2390
    @reverendharrypowell2390 Před 5 lety +78

    This looks like it came straight out of Mad Max or Mortal Engine

  • @charliemanson4808
    @charliemanson4808 Před 5 lety +45

    Guard dogs, they would have an attack dog in their other hand.
    Charlie 🇬🇧

    • @charliemanson4808
      @charliemanson4808 Před 5 lety +2

      @@CommiTsunami these things where an option for the border crossing areas...bizarre the things us old military guys know!
      Although this is before my time 👍

    • @estebanjimenez2145
      @estebanjimenez2145 Před 5 lety +2

      Probably end up shooting the dog with that thing.

  • @jakedee4117
    @jakedee4117 Před 3 lety

    A very fine piece of wood working, life was so different before molded plastics became a thing.

  • @Britishshooter
    @Britishshooter Před 5 lety +1

    My best guess is for use on a MP motorcycle in pursuit of vehicles breaching checkpoints or failing to stop. Because the right hand is occupied on the throttle, this is designed to be fired from the left hand. Check out the curve on the stock top created to fit under the left shoulder for control. This is a left handed 'tire blow out' weapon for use at very close range from a bike. Mainly for non lethal 'psychological effect', mostly on drunk soldiers and smugglers in occupied Germany. Not designed to kill, just to scare.