The Madsen M-50 or M/50 is a submachine gun introduced in 1950. It was produced by the Danish company Dansk Industri Syndikat of Copenhagen, Denmark. The company was colloquially known as Madsen after its founder Vilhelm Herman Oluf Madsen.
Overview
This firearm was a modified variation of the M/46. The only major improvement was the simplified retracting handle. Introduction of the M/50 occurred on November 7, 1950, at Mosede, Denmark, until 1953.
The M/50 is made of stamped sheet metal. It is an open bolt design which means it fires when the bolt is in the locked back open position with a fixed firing pin. The M/46 and M/50 share a unique design: the firearm is stamped from two pieces of sheet metal which are shaped with an integral rear pistol grip and magazine housing. The two pieces fit together like a clam shell with the hinge at the rear of the pistol grip. The firearm is held together with a barrel locking nut which is threaded onto the fore section of the two receiver halves. The pistol grip is hollow, providing storage space for a magazine loading tool.
The folding stock is made of tubular steel covered with leather and folds onto the right side of the firearm. The M/50 fires in full-auto only. It also features a safety lever (also known as grip safety), unusually placed in front of the forward magazine housing. To fire the M/50 the operator must grip the magazine housing and hold down the safety lever.
Users
(produced under license as the INA Model 953 in .45 ACP)
: the M-50 underwent intensive trials in 1951–1952 against the BSA model 1949 and the Sterling submachine gun. The latter was eventually selected. In use with Green Berets serving alongside Montagnards in MIKE Force units
Non State Users
Malayan Communist Party
Brazilian Communist Party
Ação Libertadora Nacional
Ulster Defence Association
Red Hand Commando
Loyalist Volunteer Force
References
Nelson, Thomas B. The World's Submachine Guns. International small arms publishers: Cologne, Germany, 1963.