| Lanchester | |
|---|---|
 Lanchester Mk.1 | |
| Type | Submachine gun |
| Place of origin | United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1941–1960 |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | World War II Indonesian National Revolution[1] Malayan Emergency[2] Mau Mau rebellion[2] Rhodesian Bush War Suez Crisis[3] Dominican Civil War Nigerian Civil War 2023 Israel-Hamas war |
| Production history | |
| Designer | George Lanchester |
| Designed | 1940 |
| Manufacturer | Sterling Armaments Company |
| Produced | 1941–1943 |
| Variants | Mk.I, Mk.I* |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 9.57 lb (4.3 kg) |
| Length | 33.5 in (850.9 mm) |
| Barrel length | 8 in (203.2 mm) |
| Cartridge | 9×19mm Parabellum |
| Action | Blowback, Open bolt |
| Rate of fire | 600 round/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 1,245 ft/s (379 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 150 m (490 ft) |
| Feed system | 32- or 50-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Front blade; rear adjustable |
The Lanchester is a submachine gun ("machine carbine") manufactured by the Sterling Armaments Company between 1941 and 1945. It is an evolution from MP28/II and was manufactured in two versions, Mk.1 and Mk.1*; the latter was a simplified version of the original Mk.1, with no fire selector and simplified sights. It was primarily used by the Royal Navy during the Second World War, and to a lesser extent by the Royal Air Force Regiment (for airfield protection). It was given the general designation of Lanchester after George Lanchester, who was charged with producing the weapon at the Sterling Armaments Company.