Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is an incredible MP 40 Maschinenenpistole 40 Display Gun, built from all original parts on an original BATF compliant non-firing display receiver, making this a 100% legal display Sub-Machine gun. This receiver was created by using portions of the original torch cut receiver, including the barrel bushing, combined with some new made steel portions. It has properly had a 25% section of the total length completely replaced entirely with solid steel bar stock. Meaning a 1/4 length section of the display receiver is solid steel, making this totally legal to own without a license of any kind.
Offered with exceptional original dark brown / black bakelite stock and grips, this is the real thing that will only appreciate in value over time. The extending butt stock is present and fully functional. The barrel is original and has not been deactivated in any way, and the bore is in very good shape, with a bright finish and clear lands and grooves. Original markings have been maintained and make a keystone item for any serious WWII collection. It comes complete with an original magazine, as well as an original leather sling!
The rear receiver cup of this display gun is marked with the date and manufacture codes, which are clear:
MP40
fxo
This indicates manufacture by C.G. Haenel of Suhl, Germany, who manufactured many small arms and parts during the war. There is no date under this, possibly due to being made very late in the war. The left side of the receiver cup is marked with serial number 9707, and there is a stamped Waffenamt WaA165, which we have seen before used with Haenel. The front of the receiver by the barrel bushing is also marked with serial number 9707 / a, and there is a Waffenamt WaA623 next to this, usually associated with Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG, Werk Steyr, the legendary Austrian Arms company. It is possible that so late in the war guns were being assembled from parts from various producers.
The trigger group and butt stock are marked with serial number 465, which could have been remarked. The barrel is marked with serial number 2713 e, along with Waffenamt Eagle / 37 markings, associated with production in Suhl, Germany. The other components of the display gun are not serial number marked, or have mismatched serial numbers. This definitely appears to have been arsenal repaired, and parts from several guns were used. There are Waffenamt proofs on various parts of the display gun.
Included is an original MP 41 magazine, in very good condition, which is correctly marked M.P. 41 on the side, over PATENT SCHMEISSER / HAENEL. These magazines were interchangeable with the MP 40, and were used as needed. C.G. Haenel of Suhl, Germany, made many more than could be used with the limited number of MP 41's produced. Magazine will have the spring and follower removed if shipped to a state that prohibits high capacity magazines.
A great chance to pick up a very great MP40 display gun with a live barrel, complete with an original magazine and sling! We rarely seem them this nice! Ready to display!
History of the MP40
The Maschinenpistole 40 ("Machine pistol 40") descended from its predecessor the MP 38, which was in turn based on the MP 36, a prototype made of machined steel. The MP 36 was developed independently by Erma Werke's Berthold Geipel with funding from the German Army. It took design elements from Heinrich Vollmer's VPM 1930 and EMP. Vollmer then worked on Berthold Geipel's MP 36 and in 1938 submitted a prototype to answer a request from the Heereswaffenamt (Army Weapons Office) for a new submachine gun, which was adopted as MP 38. The MP 38 was a simplification of the MP 36, and the MP 40 was a further simplification of the MP 38, with certain cost-saving alterations, most notably in the more extensive use of stamped steel rather than machined parts.
It was heavily used by infantrymen (particularly platoon and squad leaders), and by paratroopers, on the Eastern and Western Fronts. Its advanced and modern features made it a favorite among soldiers and popular in countries from various parts of the world after the war. It was often erroneously called "Schmeisser" by the Allies, despite Hugo Schmeisser's non-involvement in the weapon's design and production. From 1940 to 1945, an estimated 1.1 million were produced by Erma Werke.
