This SMG is a Sten gun copy made by the Polish Resistance. The gun’s owner didn’t have any details about its origin, and I have been unable to find any reference to it either. The gun is marked on the trigger housing and receiver endcap “BATHAU 19412 TDM”, and has no other visible markings.
Despite a different outward appearance, the gun is mechanically a copy of the Sten – the bolt in particular looks like a very close copy. The stock, grip, and trigger housing differ from the standard Sten design, suggesting that this was probably one of a small number of guns made by a small shop.
The stock is fairly well thought out – a folding design like this is much more effective for clandestine activities than the military stock, as it allows the gun to be concealed more easily.
You can see all the other photos of this weapon in the gallery below, and download the whole batch at high resolution in this zip archive.
I believe japs only issued some 50ooo machine pistols in ww2 the Asian war always looked on as a backwater although us used b29 and atomic bomb both top secret on japan
Looks like KIS gun check about this gun i seen some pictures in poor quality maby its the one
Hi chaps! My great grandfather- he lived in Suchedniow village and during II World War make a few copies of Sten weapon for Polish guerilla from Swietokrzyskie voivodeship (during WWII this region was called kieleckie voivodeship). For long time this fact was a big secret in my family and we don’t know to much about number of copies made by great grandfather…
Unfortunately this SMG from photos above it’s not a Polish copy of famouse Sten gun. Propably it’s a KIS gun, but I’m not sure for 100%.
There is a link to the photo of Polish Sten made in Suchedniow (in “FUT” eng. “Factory of Technican Equipment”) in the hands of engineer K.Czerniewski, on the right hand side is Feliks Zolbach. http://www.odkrywca.pl/forum_pics/picsforum26/03_copy50.jpg
P.S Great page- regards from Kielce, Poland!
Hi !
I can say this is not a KIS machine pistol. Some KIS photos were published, mostly in poor quality because these are usually unauthorized copies. I have seen originals of these photos of KIS, made by my father’s uncle, Feliks Konderko “Jerzy”, who was one of several owners of KIS and also a photographer of Polish guerilla troops commanded by “Ponury” and then by “Nurt”.
Again, for sure, this is NOT a KIS machine pistol.
I once owned this gun. Yes, believed to be Polish manufacture for their resistance forces. Incredible seeing it again. I’m glad its in good hands.