October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
Fine Erma manufactured specimen of the classic German machine gun marked "ayf 42" on end cap with numerous Nazi proof marks throughout. Both "WaA280" and "WaA44" denoting both Erma and cos (Mertzwerke) manufacture. Mertzwerke was a subcontractor for sheet metal parts for many German weapons including the MP40. Actual serial number is 6670j; visible numbers appear matching on receiver tube, lower assembly, swing out shoulder loop, bolt, mainspring assembly, sight hood, barrel resting bar, barrel retention nut and even the rear sight. Barrel appears to be an unnumbered replacement. The MP40 was designed to be a compact burst fire weapon originally intended for dismounted vehicle and armor troops but as time passed it was fielded in ever increasing numbers to all unit formations. This specimen was manufactured in 1942. Production continued until it was subsumed by the fielding of the MP44/Sturmgewehr weapons as Germany devoted more and more of its sheet metal manufacturing capacity to that arm and less to the MP40. Accessories include one original Erma manufactured magazine. Overall appearance and finish are very good to fine. Over 75% original blue finish thinning to a grey patina at the high edges with the exterior of the barrel and barrel hook almost devoid of finish. Outer high surfaces of barrel nut also almost devoid of finish. Bakelite has typical handling marks with one barely noticeable chip at the detent knob. Mechanics are fine. Bore has some slight roughness but still shiny and bright. Bolt face is extremely fine. This is a fully automatic only machine gun. A very nice German World War II collectible which is seldom seen with as many matching parts as this one has. 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 AS CURIO AND RELIC ELIGIBLE. JWK 2019-10-75.