A refined and streamlined successor to the MP38, the MP40 made extensive use of metal stampings and synthetic materials to make a weapon robust enough to withstand the stress of war while being simple enough to manufacture to keep up with the demand. Nearly every armed branch and paramilitary organization in Germany made use of the MP40, and many also found their way into the hands of opposition forces such as the French Resistance and Poland's Home Army, making it one of the signature weapons of the war. "44/cos" (Merz Brothers) marked on the underside of the receiver tube and "MP40 bnz.43" (Steyr) on the end cap, with a hooded blade front and two-leaf notch rear sights, Bakelite side panels, and an underfolding steel stock.