The development of the MP38, MP40, and MP41 magazine loader was an evolution of the loader used with the MP28,II. While the basic function remained largely the same, there were significant design improvements. Both loaders are designed to be placed over the top of the magazine and secured in position using a small locking knob.
The MP28,II loader featured a relatively long lever to depress the cartridges into the magazine, whereas the later MP38 loader introduced a push-button mechanism. The push-button design offered a practical advantage, as it was more compact and required less space. Additionally, from a manufacturing perspective, the MP38 loader was more efficient to produce due to its use of sheet metal stampings for the push-button mechanism, as opposed to the machined lever of the MP28,II.
The updated MP38 magazine loader was specifically designed to fit into the loader pouch integrated into the left magazine pouch, enhancing portability. In contrast, the MP28,II loader was not compatible with magazine pouches and had to be carried separately. These design changes reflect both functional and production-oriented advancements in the evolution of the loader.
Magazinlader / Magazine loader
Photo credit: Bas Martens
Official introduction:
On the 21.st of October 1938 it was announced in the “Allgemeine Heeresmitteilungen” that the tests of newly developed magazine loading tool were completed and that the new magazine loader for the MP38 was going to be introduced. The translation of the announcement is as follows:
Berlin, the 21st of October 1938
-248-
653. Magazine loader for the M.P.38
The tests with the magazine loader for M.P.38 for filling the magazine of the M.P. 38 have been completed. The magazine loader for M.P.38 will be introduced.
1. Name: Magazine loader for M.P.38,
2. Short description: Mag. Loader f. M.P.38,
3. Material: 1,
4. Device Category: J,
5. Requirement code: J 53002,
6. Manufacturing documents:
a) Device drawing 01 E 3262 with secondary drawings and lists
b) Preliminary terms of delivery (in consolidated statement
c) Instruction drawings (in consolidated statement)
d) Machine drawings (in preparation)
The equipment of the units with the magazine loader for M.P.38 will be accordingly to the equipment of the M.P.38 later arranged.
D.R.h. 4.10.38
-72 a/b/ 14 – In 2 (III b).
The “Allgemeine Heeresmitteilungen” of the 21.st of October 1938
The first Haenel 122 38 magazin loader
The new magazine loader was first introduced in the earliest MP38 manual, “Beschreibung der Maschinenpistole 38 (MP38)” (Description of the Machine Pistol 38, MP38). This initial version of the magazine loader differs significantly from the later wartime models. Notably, the metal bar that pushes the cartridges into the magazine is not a single piece with the pushdown button. In the early version, a thin sheet metal bar is welded to the button. As the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words"—refer to the image on the right for clarity.
This early version of the magazine loader is exceptionally rare. Based on my estimation, only around 2,000 units were produced. Why 2,000? This aligns with the approximate production of the first batch of MP38s in 1938 and 1939. Beyond the construction differences, this version also features a smoother finish compared to the later, wartime-produced loaders.
The early loaders are marked with the code "122," indicating production by Haenel. This makes sense, as Haenel was also the sole producer of MP38 magazines during 1938 and 1939. As detailed elsewhere, Haenel (and Hugo Schmeisser) initially held the license to produce the magazine due to Schmeisser's patent on the feeding system. This arrangement meant that Erma could not bypass the clever Schmeisser brothers.
Photo credit: Bas Martens
Manufacturing cost loader housing
On the left you find a picture of an "Abrechnungskarte" from the Haenel company. This is a German term that can be translated to "billing card" or "settlement card" in English. It refers to a document or card used to record and process financial transactions, settlements, or accounting information. In this case this document kept track of the costs involved in the production of the Magazin loader housing at Heanel. The total cost for the work proces on the housing of the magazine loader were 7,11 Reichsmark. Just to give an idea of this value. A draft beer would cost between 0,30 and 0,50 RM in 1942.
Production cost of the housing for the MP40 magazine loader.
Arbeitsgang Work process Cost
Kpl. Naht schweißen Weld complete seam -, 95
Lochen Punching - ,31
o. Form Naht schleifen Grind seam without form 1,50
inn. Entgrat. Kalibrier u. stempeln (Jahres. Nr.) – Deburring inside, calibrating, and stamping (year nr,) 3,--
MP38 +40 aufrollen Roll MP38 +40 -,40
Gansieren Scouring -,60
T. Brünieren Brunishing (a type of metal finishing process) -,35
As of 1940 more factories joined in the production of the magazine loader. The factories that produced the magazine loader are in order of appearance:
Factory Code Waffenamt
C.G.Haenel, Waffen und Fahrrad-Fabrik, Suhl 122 37
Erma, Erfurt 27 C10
Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG,Werk Steyr (A) 98E 815
Eisenwerke G.Meurer GmbH, Tetschen/Elbe agp 706 (or blank)
Erma, Erfurt ayf C10 (or blank)
Carl Ullrich & Co. Metallwaren, Oberschönau ghn C10
C.G. Haenel, Waffen und Fahrrad-Fabrik, Suhl fxo 37
C.G. Haenel, Waffen und Fahrrad-Fabrik, Suhl Haenel (Commerc. logo) 37
Frankische Eisenwerke, AG Niederscheld bte B37
Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG, Werk Graz kur 815
Photo credit: Bas Martens
The Magazine Loader in Official Manuals
The magazine loader is illustrated and described in all official military manuals. While the "Merkblatt" series and the Luftwaffe manual focus on its handling, the D167/1 provides a detailed description of the magazine loader itself.
The Merkblatt series explains the proper use of the magazine loader as follows:
V. Handling the MP38 and 40
and shooting training.
Filling the Magazine (Figure 4).
14. The magazine loader is placed with its back to the left on the magazine until it locks into place; then the magazine is placed upright on a surface.
The left hand pushes the pressure piece of the loader all the way down.
The right hand places the cartridges (individually), with the cartridge base facing to the rear, under the magazine lips and pushes them to the left into the magazine, while simultaneously releasing the pressure piece. When 32 cartridges are loaded, the bottom cartridge becomes visible in the inspection hole. Overfilling leads to malfunctions.
Description from the D167/1
The D167/1 manual provides a concise description of the loader's construction:
"Magazine Loader:
e) Magazine Loader for MP38
(Figure 5)
14. The magazine loader h is placed onto the upper part of the magazine. In its rear wall, the spring-loaded button is positioned upwards, and the catch piece is located downwards
Technical Specifications in the D167/2
In the D167/2 parts list, the magazine loader is cataloged as follows:
- Part Number: 114
- Specification Number: J 53002
- Drawing Specification: 01 E 3322
Interestingly, the magazine loader also served as a storage compartment for the magazine brush. It was stored in a small side pouch sewn onto the right side of the 3-cell or 6-cell magazine pouch.
Magazine loader details in the Merkblatt series of manuals
Magazine loader depicted in the Merkblatt series of manuals
Magazine loader details in D167/1
Codes and years per manufacturer
The magazine loader for the MP38, MP40, and MP41 was produced by six different manufacturers. Below is an overview of these loaders, including their respective manufacturer codes and production years.
C.G. Haenel, Waffen- u. Fahrradfabrik, Suhl
122 38
122 39
122 40
122 40 (type 2)
fxo 41
fxo 42
Haenel (MP41)
ERMA - Erfurter Maschinenfabrik B. Geipel GmbH, Erfurt
27 40
ayf 40
Eisenwerke G.Meurer GmbH
agp 40
agp 41
agp 42
agp 43
Carl Ullrich & Co. Metallwaren
ghn 40
Frankische Eisenwerke AG
bte 41
bte 42
bte 43
Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG, Werk Steyr
98E 40
98E 41
98E 42
Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG, Werk Graz
kur 41
kur 44
kur 42
kur 42 (mirror)
kur 43
kur 43 (mirror)
Spare Parts for the magazine loader
The “Gross Vorrat MP” box was an essential supply container designed to carry spare parts for the MP38 and MP40 submachine guns. These boxes ensured that soldiers and armorers had quick access to critical components needed for maintenance and repair in the field. Interestingly, the Gross Vorrat was not limited to just weapon parts—it also included spare components for the magazine loader, a crucial tool for efficiently loading magazines under combat conditions.
So far, I have only encountered magazine loader housings marked ayf 40 (indicating production by Erma Werke in 1940), complete with their corresponding small supplementary parts. Notably, the housings shown in the accompanying photo do not bear a Waffenamt stamp—a German military acceptance mark typically found on equipment to confirm its inspection and approval. This absence of stamps is consistent across all components stored in the Gross Vorrat MP box, suggesting they were either pre-production parts or parts intended for supply stock without individual military inspection marks.
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