September 10-12, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/10/2024
Consignor indicates he purchased this gun, and the magazine pouches with magazines offered in Lot 1025, from the son of the original veteran, Robert Bruce Jones, who captured the items at the Battle of the Bulge, at St. Vith, in December 1944. The son sold these to the consignor in 1983, and the consignor has provided a notarized statement to this effect. Some contemporary fabricated 7.92x33 mm cartridges are included with this lot. This gun is marked with "(eagle) / 280" on the underside of the receiver forward of the magazine housing, indicating ERMA manufacture, “cos” is also marked in several places, which indicates Mertzwerke supplied sheet metal stamped parts. Original matching factory applied numbers throughout, including on handgrip assembly, operating rod, bolt, and buttstock hardware. This weapon was manufactured in 1944, as indicated on the left side of receiver. Rolled up paper instruction booklet in buttstock trap. Three original 30-round “fxo” (C.G. Haenel) magazines are included with this lot, a signed notarized statement from the consignor, and redacted copy of the original transfer form from the previous owner to the consignor dated 1983. The MP44 series of weapons was the first assault rifle design which uses an intermediate cartridge; the 7.92x33mm cartridge was not so powerful as the 8x57mm full power rifle round but significantly more powerful than the 9mm Parabellum pistol round. This rifle was a highly effective improvement over the standard bolt action rifle because not only was it semi-automatic with a large magazine capacity, but it also could provide automatic fire fulfilling a soldier's needs in many situations. The fact that the cartridge was smaller in length and in weight meant that the soldiers could carry more ammunition readily available. Electronic NFA Registry indicates, “SCHMEISSER (GE GERMANY)“ as the manufacturer. This can be requested correction upon paper transfer. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is fine original finish with scattered areas of gray and brown patina. Just as what one would expect of a combat used arm. Buttstock is of the later, 5 ½ inch high profile type with very clean and attractive wood, un-sanded and original finish. Action is very smooth. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright. Bolt face is also near excellent. Mechanics are crisp. This is a select-fire machine gun. The MP44 was an important historical development in the field of military weapons and the provenance of this piece elevates it to among the most desirable of its kind. See the magazine pouches and magazines which were captured with this machine gun being offered as a separate lot. Very seldom does an offering like this occur, which is so wonderfully and unquestionably original in condition with provenance to a noteworthy engagement. 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 2024-09-033.
Accessories
3 Magazines total, Notarized consignor statement, small bag of original ammunition, and made ammo.