SIG Bergmann

Standard model SIG Bergmann ("SIG M1920") - 7.65×21mm Parabellum

Japanese contract Type Be - 7.63×25mm Mauser

Later model SIG Bergmann ("SIG M1930") with selective-fire trigger - 7.63×25mm Mauser

The SIG Bergmann (unofficially referred to as the "SIG M1920") is a Swiss submachine gun that was produced by SIG from about 1920 to 1927. It was a derivative of the Bergmann MP18/I, made under license from Theodor Bergmann; the production rights were granted to SIG after Bergmann's own factory, which manufactured the MP18/I during World War I, closed down in 1919. Unlike the original MP18/I, the SIG Bergmann did not feed from the TM 08 trommelmagazin, but instead fed from straight box magazines of a 50-round capacity.

The SIG Bergmann submachine gun was offered for international export during the interwar period, with sales to Brazil, Bolivia, China, Finland, Japan, and Thailand. The Japanese contract model was adopted as the Type Be (for "Beruguman") and was issued to Imperial Navy Marines. The vast majority of export sales of the SIG Bergmann were made in 7.63×25mm Mauser and 7.65×21mm Parabellum, though 9×19mm Parabellum guns were made in small numbers for the Swiss Army. The SIG Bergmann was widely copied by Chinese manufacturers during the 1920s and 1930s. Some Chinese copies were made with vertical magazine feeds, including the Tsing Tao 16th Year submachine gun.

Some examples of the SIG Bergmann were built with selective-fire pressure triggers, which gave single shots when half-pressed and fully-automatic fire when fully depressed.

Due to their similar appearance, SIG Bergmann is often confused with the Bergmann MP18/I and the later Haenel MP28/II. The SIG Bergmann can be distinguished from these guns by its round cocking handle and its proprietary magazine feed, which has the release catch mounted on the underside of the feed housing rather than the top. Other key distinguishers include the lack of a fire selector button above the trigger group (a feature present on the MP28/II), and an adjustable tangent rear sight (as opposed to the flip-up notch sight of the MP18/I). The only factory markings present on the SIG Bergmann are Brevet Bergmann ("Bergmann patent") and a serial number stamped on the magazine housing.

In the later 1920s, an updated variant of the SIG Bergmann was introduced (sometimes unofficially called the "SIG M1930"), which had a selective-fire trigger by standard, a large wooden foregrip, and a rearranged magazine feed which took magazines from the right, similar to the Bergmann MP35/I, and ejected from the left. The magazines were also modified with rectangular windows cut into the surface to act as an ammunition indicator. This model was offered for export sale in both 7.65×21mm and 7.63×25mm, but achieved no known sales and was soon discontinued.

Specifications

(1920 - 1927)

• Type: Submachine Gun

• Caliber: 7.63×25mm Mauser, 9×25mm Mauser, 7.65×21mm Parabellum, 9×19mm Parabellum

• Weight: 9 lbs (4.1 kg)

• Length: 31.9 in (81 cm)

• Barrel length: 7.9 in (20 cm)

• Capacity: 50 rounds

• Fire Modes: Automatic, semi-automatic (pressure trigger variant)

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The SIG Bergmann and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Television

Show Title	Actor	Character	Note / Episode	Air Date
The Rat Patrol	Eric Braeden	Capt. Hans Dietrich	The Moment of Truce Raid	1966-1968
The Rat Patrol	Albert Paulsen	Col. von Helbing	The Life or Death Raid	1966-1968

Video Games

Game Title	Mods	Notations	Release Date
Battlefield: 1942			2002
Forgotten Hope			2003
Men of War		SIG M1920	2009
Far East War	"Mp-18 submachine gun"	SIG M1920	2013
Enlisted		SIG M1920	2021
		SIG M1920 / Type Be
		SIG M1930