Smith and Wesson Model 40 Light Rifle

Smith & Wesson Model 1940 Light Rifle
In 1939 the British gov't asked Smith & Wesson to design a 9mm light rifle for the British military. The design was developed in the US using commercial 9mm Luger ammo. The more powerful British 9mm service ammo broke several receivers within 1000 rounds of testing. The contract was cancelled after 60 prototypes, 750 Mark Is, and 200 Mark IIs with strengthened receivers. Of 1010 known examples, few were ever issued for military service. The gun apparently did not get past the proving ground test stage. At the end of the war, five examples were placed in UK military museums and the rest were destroyed or dumped at sea.
The buttstock was Tennite plastic, the gun fired semi-auto-only (one shot per trigger pull) even though it generally resembled a submachinegun. The forward grip was metal and housed the magazine and the cartridge ejection chute. The enclosed downward ejection system kept out dirt, but made clearing a jam difficult.
Model 1940 Light Rifle
Type: Semi-Automatic Carbine
Place of origin: United States
Production history:
Designer: Edward S. Pomeroy
Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
Specifications:
Weight: 9 pounds (4 kg)
Length: 32 inches (81 cm)
Barrel length: 9.75 inches (25 cm)
Cartridge: 9×19mm Parabellum
Action: Blowback, Open Bolt
Feed system: 20-round box magazine
At 9 pounds it was pretty heavy for a "light rifle".

"A Bad Investment: S&W Model 1940 Light Rifle"
by Bruce Canfield - American Rifleman, Wednesday, October 17, 2012
https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2012/10/17/a-bad-investment-sw-model-1940-light-rifle/
US legality: ATF Curio & Relics List lists the "Smith & Wesson, model 40, Light Rifle, caliber 9mm parabellum" as a Curio & Relic, more likely to be valued as a collectible than as a weapon. NFA rules apply: they are still as Short Barrel Rifles (SBS) and open-bolt semi-auto theoretically convertible to full-auto.
https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/g...r-relics-list-1972-2007-atf-p-530011/download

A lot more of these than were thought to be extant came out of the woodwork after being declared C&R. A collector here had one of each, Mk I and Mk II, in excellent condition, and he wasn't the only one.
The project was a huge money loser for S&W. Fortunately the British were making cheap STEN guns for the job and agreed to take revolvers instead of demanding their money back.

There is SOME value to anything. One suggestion is that if the missing parts are not obvious, a military museum might well want it for display since they are pretty rare. If you donate the gun, your tax deduction can be "flexible."

I hadn't looked at the pictures before replying, but even so, I think that relic could be made into a decent display piece.

Jim

It certainly looks to haven been buried at some point.

That'd explain the condition and missing parts for sure.

Very cool, but if it fired from an open bolt NFA rules would apply and it would be highly Verboten to even own the receiver....and now that you've put it on the internet, your best bet is to cut it in half right now and document the destruction with many good pictures!

NIGHTLORD40K said:

Very cool, but if it fired from an open bolt NFA rules would apply and it would be highly Verboten to even own the receiver....and now that you've put it on the internet, your best bet is to cut it in half right now and document the destruction with many good pictures!

Click to expand...

I think that existing semiauto open bolt rifles are exempt.