November 18, 2020 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/18/2020
This is a Steyr manufactured MP-34 in .45 ACP which was originally sold as part of a small contract to Guatemala. It is import marked on the left side of the receiver, “INTER AMERICAN SACTO CA”. The stock serial number, 1243, and bolt serial number, 1274, do not match the receiver serial number 1259. This .45 caliber version of the MP34 is immediately recognizable as different from the far more common smaller caliber versions because the large magazine housing designed to accommodate the .45 magazines does not incorporate the provision for stripper clip loading. One original 20 round magazine is included with this lot. This particular models only safety is a slot milled into the top cover to hold the bolt to the rear in the same manner which would be later be incorporated into the MP-38 and MP-40 machine guns (among others). The Austrian Steyr firm manufactured MP-30 and later MP-34 machine guns for domestic police and military, and also for export to other nations including; Portugal, Greece, Japan, South America, and others, including a few to the United States. They were produced in a number of calibers according to the preference of the purchaser, including 7.65 Luger, 7.63 Mauser, 9mm Parabellum, 9mm Steyr, 9mm Mauser, and 45 ACP. Of these, the .45 version is the most sought by collectors within the United States. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most seldom encountered here. The MP-34 is an exceptionally well-made machined steel machine gun. This particular gun was imported from Guatemala as part of a group consisting of 7 guns and 6 magazines (all they had). It was imported in 1979 by Roger Cox as part of a collaborative effort between the Law Enforcement Ordnance Company of Athens, GA and InterAmerican Import/Export Co of Sacramento, CA. The consignor of this gun personally packed it and the others for shipment in Guatemala, and later purchased this gun for a nominal sum and has had it until now. The consignor also related to this cataloger that a New York City police precinct had ordered several of these guns in .45 in the 1930’s new from the factory, together with six magazines per gun with three cell magazine pouches. Unfortunately for the collector market, these were all taken out and dumped into the ocean years ago when they were deemed obsolete and no longer needed. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is good original finish with scattered areas of pitting ranging from minor to moderate, with the worst being at the top cover latch and on top cover forward of the rear sight. The finish is thinning to a gray patina at the high edges in particular with more of a brown patina on barrel shroud and buttplate. Bolt handle exhibits a gray brown patina. Stock exhibits moderate dings and handling marks with a small 3/8” long wedge shaped chip missing on right side just above trigger guard, but still remains very solid and serviceable. Mechanics are crisp. Bore is good, with quite a bit of shine, starting to show pitting. Long bolt has never been welded and is extremely fine. This is a select-fire machine gun with “E and “D” selector. Any shortcomings of condition this gun has are overcome by the highly desirable caliber. These guns are so few in the United States that this gun is worthy of consideration for a top-quality extensive restoration. It is one of the last of the high-quality milled steel machine guns being produced prior to World War II and a sought after collectible machine gun. THIS IS A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEM AND REQUIRES BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. THIS ITEM IS TRANSFERABLE ONLY TO ACTIVE FFL/SOT DEALERS ON AN ATF FORM 3 BUT MAY BE RETAINED BY SOLE PROPRIETOR FFL/SOT HOLDERS WHEN THEY RELINQUISH THEIR LICENSES UPON BATF APPROVAL. JWK 2020-11-033
Manufacturer
Steyr-Solothurn