May 18, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2022
Utterly fabulous original Rheinmettal manufactured MG 42/59 machine gun! One of only 5 known specimens which are original and fully transferable in the United States. This near mint specimen was provided to an American firm which was developing electric mounting apparatus, and reportedly came into the United States in or prior to 1968. It was allegedly never fired as part of the development of the electric mounting apparatus development, and later sold into private hands. This gun was manufactured by Rheinmettal in 1964, as indicated by markings on the receiver. Marked “MG-42” on the left side of the receiver, this machine gun is actually an MG42/59 which was upgraded by adding the parts to make it into the MG-3 configuration. The previous owner added the anti-aircraft rear sight on the shroud, and installed the feed tray which will accept either the German non-disintegrating belts, or the American M13 disintegrating links. The gun has the heavy V950 (950 grams) heavy bolt and Type R buffer which produces a cyclic rate of 700-900 rounds per minute. Original Rheinmettal marked bolt marked, “USE ONLY WITH RATE REDUCING BUFFER” and “TYPE V“. Butt and grip panels are unmarked attractive hard brown composite. Barrel bears Rheinmettal logo and “7.62X51 vcl 140” and is on “cyq” marked extension. Barrel door and handgrip also marked with Rheinmettal logo. Feed tray equipped with latch to take modern German assault belt carriers. No bipod present. Electronic NFA registry indicates “COLT” as the manufacturer and “MG42” as the model with “7.62” as the caliber. Approved incoming Form 4 indicates “Rheinmettal, West Germany” and “Colt Industries-Firearms Division” in the Manufacturer’s/ Importer block. PROVENANCE: From the collection of esteemed NFA firearms enthusiast and collector J. R. Moody. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is near excellent original smooth gray finish with some slight loss of finish to the feedway where the belt would travel and slight loss of finish to top of receiver under the top cover. Near excellent brown hard composite butt is very clean and attractive. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright. Bolt near excellent. Mechanics are crisp and smooth. This is a full-auto-only machine gun. As one of only very few of such original guns available for private ownership in the United States, combined with superb condition, this particular machine gun combines all the elements of a “perfect storm” opportunity for the forward-thinking canny investor/collector. It is a landmark piece in the history of development of German machine guns, and since it has already been shot, albeit only a little, it can be taken to the range occasionally for evaluation and recreation. A fabulous gun in all respects! THIS IS A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEM AND REQUIRES BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. THIS ITEM IS FULLY TRANSFERABLE ON AN ATF FORM 3 OR 4. JWK 2022-03-20
Caliber/Bore
7.62x51mm NATO