October 30 - November 2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria, & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2018
The Steyr MP-30 and its close decendent, the MP34o were among the the last of the milled steel receiver machine guns, and also one of the most powerful of the pistol caliber sub-machine guns, the Steyr MP30 was designed and intended to be used as a police arm and also for export. It was produced in several calibers, including .45 acp, 9 mm Mauser, 9 mm Steyr, 9 mm Parabellum, 7.63 Mauser, and 7.65 mm. The 9mm Mauser is a very powerful a pistol cartridge and one friend of this cataloger who has one of these guns states that it "really barks and jumps!" The early models were mostly chambered in 9mm Mauser, and the later ones, after 1938 were chambered mostly in 9 mm parabellum. There was a significant contract in 9mm parabellum produced for Portugal in 1942, but it seems a least a portion of these were redirected into the hands of German security forces as this cataloger has talked to several Veterans, or relatives of Veterans who bagged them from German prison camp guards during or immediately after WW2. All these so captured bore the Portugese creast. This specimen is marked with “W” Austrian Eagle and “34” proof on left side of receiver below hinge of top cover. Visible numbers appear matching including receiver, bolt, cover latch, safety, and stock. Stock has the distinctive sweep and profile particular to the MP-30. Safety forward of the trigger guard also indicative of the MP-30. One original 32 round 9mm Mauser magazine included. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is fine original finish with scattered areas of light corrosion. Top cover release latch, bolt handle, and sling hardware finish handle thinning to a gray brown patina. Light brown corrosion in recessed areas from storage, as well as on forward flat of trigger guard, most of which should clean-up with some effort. Stock exhibits moderate dings and handling marks but still remains very solid and serviceable. Barrel has been welded to receiver at the chamber, with the chamber being plugged with weld. Sufficient heat was used during this process to “crater” the area of the receiver surrounding the mouth of the chamber. Bolt face was ground down sufficiently so it closes all the way forward when released. Bore condition not observed due to chamber being plugged. Bolt is extremely clean and in the white with the face and extractor ground down well behind the extractor claw, with some heat discoloration. Mechanics are otherwise crisp apart from the deactivation steps already noted. This is a select-fire machine gun. Actually, quite a nice example of its kind which with the appropriate amount of expertise, effort and parts could be restored to a firing condition. THIS IS A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEM AND REQUIRES BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. THIS ITEM IS FULLY TRANSFERABLE ON AN ATF FORM 5 AS A CURIO AND RELIC ELIGIBLE DEACTIVATED MACHINE GUN. THIS GUN MAY BE REACTIVATED UPON APPLICATION AND APPROVAL BY THE BATF, SUBJECT TO ANY STATE AND LOCAL RESTRICTIONS. JWK 18-57