Did you know that Hungary had a special weapon in WWII?

When it comes to World War II weaponry, Hungary is rarely mentioned among the major arms producers. Yet, during the late 1930s, the Hungarian Royal Army made a bold choice that led to the development of a unique firearm: the Király submachine gun, also known as the Danuvia after its place of manufacture.

From foreign models to Hungarian innovation

According to Portfolio’s report, at the time, smaller nations had two options for equipping their soldiers with modern firearms: purchase weapons from abroad or attempt to produce their own. Hungary opted for a middle path. Pál Király, a talented Hungarian engineer who had previously worked with Switzerland’s SIG Sauer on the MKMO and MKMS submachine guns, redesigned the MKMS into what became the Király 39M.

In 1939, the Hungarian military tested the 39M against Germany’s soon-to-be-legendary MP40. The German weapon was cheaper, lighter, and featured a folding stock. Still, the Hungarian design impressed with a more advanced bolt system and higher firepower. Crucially, it was domestically produced, which tipped the scales in its favour. The weapon was officially adopted as the 1939M.

Distinctive design and evolution

The 39M initially featured a wooden stock and adjustable sights, in line with the standards of the era. But as the war intensified, the weapon underwent multiple redesigns: a folding stock (1939/A M), later a switch to metal (1943M), and eventually the complete removal of wooden parts (1944M).

What set the Király apart from its European counterparts was its versatility and robustness, according to Portfolio. It could be fitted with a bayonet (unusual for submachine guns at the time), and its magazine housing could be folded for transport. Its most distinctive feature, however, was its use of the powerful 9×25 mm Mauser cartridge. This gave it greater range and penetration than both German and Soviet submachine guns, though it also introduced reliability issues.