Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is an excellent condition MP40 Maschinenpistole 40 display gun, built from an original parts set and constructed on a legal non-firing BATF compliant fabricated steel dummy receiver, making this a 100% legal display Sub-Machine gun. It has had over 50% of the total length replaced with an inert steel pipe, with only the barrel bushing and magazine housing portions being original. As over 1/2 receiver is a complete inert fabricated piece, this display gun is totally legal to own without a license of any kind. It has had a bolt with cocking handle welded into the forward position inside the receiver, as required by the BATF.

Offered with exceptional original dark brown 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. It has a shorter than usual muzzle nut, and it looks like a bit of material was removed from the end of the barrel due to damage. Original markings have been maintained and make a keystone item for any serious WWII collection. It also comes with an original sling, though it is definitely in "relic" condition.

The rear receiver cup of this display gun is marked with the date, manufacture code, and serial number, which are clear:

This indicates 1941 manufacture by Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG, Werk Steyr, the legendary Austrian arms company. The left side of the receiver cup is marked with Waffenamt Eagle / WaA623, the correct stamp for Steyr. The left side of the barrel bushing is also marked with maker code bnz, as well as serial number 9627 / c and two more Eagle / WaA623 proofs. The barrel is also marked with the matching serial number on the left side, and the barrel nut, muzzle fitting, and sight hood are marked with shortened number 627 as well. There is another 9627 / c and Eagle / WaA623 on the the front of the trigger guard, though the butt stock is marked 981, so it was swapped out, most likely due to damage. The rear sight also non-matching, as they are easily knocked off.

It's very rare to see a gun with this many matching parts, which stayed together throughout the war and afterwards, only having the stock and sight swapped out, most likely due to damage.

Included is an original MP 41 magazine, in very good condition save for a dent in the front, 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.

The included sling is complete with the buckle, slider, and stud, but unfortunately the leather looks to have gotten wet and exposed to oxidized steel, which has made it dry and brittle. It already has some cracks starting, and definitely is in delicate condition.

A great chance to pick up a very great "Mostly Matching" 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.