December 6-8, 2023 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/6/2023
High condition example of the German EMP which was manufactured between 1931 and 1938. Primarily used as a police weapon in the pre-war years, a significant number of these made their way to Spain and saw use in the Spanish Civil War. Some of these later were purchased by the French (albeit Spain did not include enough magazines so that there would be one for each gun). Of the guns that remained in Germany, a significant number of these later found their way into combat service in military formations. One can find photographs of German troops brandishing these. There is no doubt that this model saw service in France in 1940 on both sides. This is a particularly desirable specimen with a clear original Nazi eagle cartouche on the on the left side of the stock. These guns are instantly recognizable by their vertical wood foregrip. 1 original 9mm Parabellum magazine is included. Typical "EMP" over the serial number at the top rear of the receiver. This is a select-fire machine gun with "E" (semi) and "D" (full-auto) next to the selector switch on the right side. There are two safety provisions on this machine gun. When the bolt is in the forward position a bolt-lock switch on the top of the receiver may be flipped upward to the "S" position. This locks the bolt forward so that even if the weapon is dropped, the bolt cannot move to the rear and potentially accidentally clear the back of the magazine and fire a round. The other safety is simply a slot in the back of the receiver where the bolt handle can be manipulated into, once drawn to the rear. Matching numbers are on the receiver end cap, and magazine well housing. Wood of stock channel and bolt are non-matching, but match each other, but also are non-visible unless the gun is disassembled. Copy of original amnesty registration form with redacted original registrant information is included. This gun has only undergone one transfer from the Estate of the original registrant to Morphy Auctions. This gun was amnesty registered as a deactivated gun. Chamber is plugged in such a way as reactivation will be straightforward and non-invasive. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine to near excellent original finish with scattered areas where speckled spots of very light brown patina have been oiled and lifted. Also some light loss of finish at the high points to a gray patina. This in no way detracts from the handsome appearance of this piece, of which the original wood is near excellent with an absolutely clear eagle over swastika stock cartouche. Dropping a light down the bore reveals a near mint brilliant mirror bore. Bolt and bolt face near excellent. Mechanics are crisp. This is among the best examples of this model this cataloger has ever seen come to auction. Pretty fabulous considering the consignor states he used to use it as a boy playing with his friends in a nature preserve wooded area behind his house. A great example of an ERMA EMP submachine gun accompanied by a copy of its original amnesty registration paperwork. 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 CURIO AND RELIC ELIGIBLE. JWK 2023-12-82