VAP SMG?

[joseyclosey]

Been visiting the Imperial War Museum at Duxford this weekend and while looking around the Airborne Assault exhibition i came across what was described as a VAP sub machine gun made by Browning in 1940 as a parachutists weapon. It never went into production due to manufacturing costs and problems. Considering it looks to be chambered for the 30.06 (perhaps) i thought it a looked more like an assault rifle.

Anyone have a link to more info on this weapon?

I took a few pics because i found it unusual.












Some of the other weapons in the exhibition including a tacky gold plated Dragunov retrieved from one of Saddams palaces.

[BOLOMK1]

I believe the weapon is actually a Vesely V42,produce @1942 by BSA.
It used a unique double column magazine in 9mm.The rounds were loaded in tandem with the front column
being fired first.Didn't work and wasn't adopted.See "Military Small Arms of the Twentieth Century",Hogg and Weeks,1973,pgs 2.45 and 2.46.
The one photo appears to show engraving saying
"TO THE GENERAL
CAM BROWNING CB DSO
FROM VAP HOLDINGS"
Near as I can make out.
John

[joseyclosey]

Thanks John, thats the one. You learn something new every day.

Joe

[riptidenj]

Very Interesting. Except for the position of the magazine it looks a lot like a Villar Perosa submachine gun.