9x19mm

The first record of any British interest in 9mm dates to 1936 when the Small Arms Committee considered adoption of a sub-machine gun (or machine carbine as it was termed by the British) for both infantry and armoured units.

Between 1936 and 1938 tests were held of a number of different sub-machine guns, concentrating on the Finnish Suomi SMG.

The British philosophy at the time was to use the weaponn in "hosepipe" mode using magazines loaded with 100% tracer, and for these trials tracer ammunition made by ICI Kynoch was used. These trials were abandoned in 1939.

Left: Kynoch made tracer for trials. Right: base of Kynoch tracer bullet.

New trials took place in 1939 with a number of foreign weapons, including a "Schmeisser" in 9mm Mauser calibre which was favourably reported on with the comment that it would be equally effective in 9mm Parabellum.

In 1940 Britain also tested the Beretta SMG using Italian ammunition.

Meanwhile, orders had been placed with Smith & Wesson for a new 9mm carbine which was semi-automatic only (a full auto version had also been tested) and plans were made for copying the Bergmann MP28 II to become the Lanchester SMG made by Sterling Armament company.

Pilot production of 9mm Parabellum ammunition commenced at Woolwich in 1941.