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EPK (Pyrkal) Machine gun
Encyclopedia
The EPK Machine Gun was designed by EPK, a Greek
defense company (in English, "Greek Powder and Cartridge Company", GPCC) later known as Pyrkal
. The gun's creation is connected to EPK's ambitions to become a major producer of infantry weapons and a relevant 1937 proposal to the Greek government. The proposal was followed by the development of a modern machine gun
of EPK-own design, as well as construction of a small number of prototypes in 1939. The whole project, including building of infrastructure for massive production of the gun was underway when war with Italy broke out on October 28, 1940, and subsequent events prohibited its completion. A total of no more than (probably) 10-15 was built, their fate (except for one given as a present to a member of the Greek Royal Family) remaining unknown. Later publications suggested that this 7.92 mm weapon exhibited characteristics at the time closer to those of a submachine gun
; others, though, including Pyrkal
itself, have argued that the weapon was indeed a very advanced design for its time, featuring pioneering elements of a whole class of assault rifle
types that appeared later. Its construction is close to the Thompson submachine gun
with ergonomics and weight are somewhat compatible with the present day Ultimax 100
light machine gun.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
defense company (in English, "Greek Powder and Cartridge Company", GPCC) later known as Pyrkal
Pyrkal
Founded in 1874, Pyrkal is one of the oldest Defence Industries in Greece and the main producer of ammunition and explosives in the country. Throughout its history it has been one of the largest Greek companies, in fact a reflection of the history of Greek Industry itself...
. The gun's creation is connected to EPK's ambitions to become a major producer of infantry weapons and a relevant 1937 proposal to the Greek government. The proposal was followed by the development of a modern machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
of EPK-own design, as well as construction of a small number of prototypes in 1939. The whole project, including building of infrastructure for massive production of the gun was underway when war with Italy broke out on October 28, 1940, and subsequent events prohibited its completion. A total of no more than (probably) 10-15 was built, their fate (except for one given as a present to a member of the Greek Royal Family) remaining unknown. Later publications suggested that this 7.92 mm weapon exhibited characteristics at the time closer to those of a submachine gun
Submachine gun
A submachine gun is an automatic carbine, designed to fire pistol cartridges. It combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the cartridge of a pistol. The submachine gun was invented during World War I , but the apex of its use was during World War II when millions of the weapon type were...
; others, though, including Pyrkal
Pyrkal
Founded in 1874, Pyrkal is one of the oldest Defence Industries in Greece and the main producer of ammunition and explosives in the country. Throughout its history it has been one of the largest Greek companies, in fact a reflection of the history of Greek Industry itself...
itself, have argued that the weapon was indeed a very advanced design for its time, featuring pioneering elements of a whole class of assault rifle
Assault rifle
An assault rifle is a selective fire rifle that uses an intermediate cartridge and a detachable magazine. Assault rifles are the standard infantry weapons in most modern armies...
types that appeared later. Its construction is close to the Thompson submachine gun
Thompson submachine gun
The Thompson is an American submachine gun, invented by John T. Thompson in 1919, that became infamous during the Prohibition era. It was a common sight in the media of the time, being used by both law enforcement officers and criminals...
with ergonomics and weight are somewhat compatible with the present day Ultimax 100
Ultimax 100
The Ultimax 100 is a Singaporean 5.56mm light machine gun, developed by the Chartered Industries of Singapore by a team of engineers under the guidance of American firearms designer L. James Sullivan. The gun is extremely accurate due to its low recoil.Work on a new light support weapon for the...
light machine gun.