The machine pistol that mimics a scorpion's tail

Wars & Conflicts · Published 16 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Designed for concealment and rapid fire, the Škorpion vz. 61 is a masterpiece of compact engineering. It can be stowed like a standard handgun but deployed as a submachine gun, making it a preferred tool for special forces and clandestine operations worldwide.

Developed in the late 1950s by Miroslav Rybář, the Škorpion (officially the Samopal vzor 61) was designed to provide high-volume fire in a small form factor. Its signature look comes from a folding metal wire shoulder stock that wraps over the receiver, resembling a scorpion's tail. This design allows the weapon to be carried in a leather holster like a traditional pistol for fast deployment, while still offering improved accuracy and controllability when the stock is extended.

The weapon operates on a straight blowback system using .32 ACP ammunition. Because this cartridge produces very low recoil, the gun lacks a complex delay mechanism; it relies solely on the weight of the bolt and return springs to manage pressure. To make the high rate of fire manageable for humans, Rybář engineered an inertial rate reducer inside the wooden pistol grip. This device uses a spring-powered hook and a weighted plunger to slow the firing speed from 1,000 rounds per minute down to approximately 850 rounds per minute.

The Škorpion has a storied history of use by both state actors and non-state groups. It served as a personal sidearm for Czechoslovak special forces and vehicle drivers, and was used by the East German Nationale Volksarmee. In the late 20th century, it gained notoriety in the hands of the Italian Red Brigades during the 1978 kidnapping of Aldo Moro, and later appeared in various criminal attacks across France and Sweden. More recently, its utility has been confirmed in modern conflicts, with over 2,000 units supplied to Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

Beyond its military pedigree, the Škorpion has become a staple of pop culture. It served as the inspiration for the Klobb gun in the video game GoldenEye 007 and appeared in major films like The Matrix and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

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