September 10-12, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/10/2024
Austrian Steyr MP-30 machine gun marked with “W” Austrian Eagle and “33” proof on left side of receiver below hinge of top cover, indicating manufacture in 1933. Top rear of butt plate on non-matching stock has unit markings “LAR 9. 9”. This indicates Lehr Alpen Regiment Nr. 9, 9th weapon. These weapons were manufactured for both police and military and could be ordered in a variety of calibers, including 7.65 Luger, 7.63 Mauser, 9mm Parabellum, 9mm Steyr, 9mm Mauser, and .45 ACP (for export). This gun was originally manufactured in 9mm Mauser (9x25 mm), also known as 9mm Export. The original bolt, barrel, and one 32 round magazine are included with this gun should the owner wish to embark on shooting it in 9mm Mauser. However, currently this gun has been converted to fire the far more popular (and easy to acquire) 9mm Parabellum cartridge. The “short” bolt and magazine have been numbered to match this gun and a spacer inserted to the inner front of the magazine housing held in with cap screws. A small zip-lock bag of spent 9mm Parabellum cases was included with this gun from the consignor as evidence that this gun functions. The MP-30 went through an evolution and eventually became the MP-34O (for Osterreich) after the union between Germany and Austria in 1938. At this point, the guns (as well as the personnel) in Austrian military service were absorbed into the German military. Subsequent production standardized to the 9mm Parabellum cartridge by late 1940, but there were enough existing guns and ammunition in 9mm Steyr and 9mm Mauser for them to remain in service with police, or to be fielded with security forces at static bases such as airfields where consumption of large quantities of ammunition was not anticipated. This gun incorporates a loading guide milled into the magazine housing, which allows the magazine to be snapped into place through the bottom of the housing retained by a latch, and then charged through the top of the housing using stripper clips. The Austrians were very keen on the use of stripper clips to load their weapons dating back to their Steyr-Hahn pistols. The opening at the top and bottom of the magazine housing on his weapon has been welded and re-cut to accommodate the 9mm Parabellum magazine, and will no longer accommodate the 9mm Mauser magazine. Visible numbers match between receiver, bolt, 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. Electronic NFA Registry indicates "STEYR WERKE AG” as the manufacturer. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is very good to fine original finish with scattered areas of light pitting, with much more significant loss of finish with and brown and gray patina to the top cover and buttplate. Long bolt handle exhibits a gray brown patina, while bolt in gun is quite clean. Stock exhibits moderate dings and handling marks. Mechanics are crisp. Bore is in gun is very fine, shiny and bright while 9mm Mauser bore is dark with pitting. This is a select fire machine gun with "E" and "D" selector. These Austrian Steyr guns were extremely well-made, and were among the last of the milled steel sub-machine guns produced before the stamping process became the norm. 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 2024-09-009.
Manufacturer
The David Co. Inc.