September 9, 10, & 11, 2025 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/9/2025
This is a refinished German ERMA manufactured EMP machine gun with fine matching barrel, but without a bolt assembly. These guns were primarily used as a police weapon in the pre-War years, with a significant number of these making their way to Spain and used the Spanish Civil War. Others were taken into German military service and quite a few were used by the Germans in their invasion of France in 1940. One can find photographs of German troops brandishing these. It is noteworthy that the French acquired a number of these from Spain prior to 1940. These guns are instantly recognizable by their vertical wood foregrip, and the exceptional quality of fit and finish which was the standard of 1930s German arms production. No bolt nor magazine are present with this lot. This is a select-fire machine gun with "E" (semi) and "D" (full-auto) indicated 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 in the same manner later incorporated into the MP-40 machine gun. Visible numbers are matching between the barrel, receiver end cap, and magazine housing. Electronic NFA registry indicates “ERMA WERKE” as the manufacturer. PROVENANCE: From the machine gun collection of William “Happiness is a Warm Machine Gun” Fleming. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is near excellent lustrous blue finish on receiver, barrel, magazine housing, receiver end cap, and trigger guard. Barrel shroud has a matte blue finish. Wood has been lightly sanded and refinished but the selector markings remain barely discernible. Bore is extremely fine, shiny and bright. Mechanics of trigger mechanism “snap” properly when actuated but without a bolt the mechanics are officially unknown. This cataloger can attest that this model is a fun piece to shoot at the range. A great example of the quality machine guns being produced in Germany during the interwar period and which found their way into combat during World War II. This needs only the appropriate parts to be complete. 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 2025-09-113.