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MP44 Sturmgewehr Rifle
LOT 1429
World War II German MP44 Sturmgewehr Rifle, Class III/NFA C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun, with Extra Magazines and Six-Cell Magazine Pouch Rig - Serial no. 6828F/45, 7.92 mm cal., 16 inch round bbl., blue/gray finish, hardwood stock. Developed relatively late
in World War II, the MP44 was a very important milestone in military weaponry, being the forerunner, and later namesake, of an entire class of weapons, the intermediate caliber, select fire, infantry “assault rifle”. Influenced by the situation on both fronts, the MP44 made heavy use of stamped components, limiting costly and labor intensive machined or forged components
to critical areas and speeding production. The adoption of an intermediate power cartridge allowed each trooper to haul more rounds in their combat loads and kept the recoil manageable in a relatively lightweight arm. While the full power “battle rifle” would be the Western standard for the start of the Cold War, the MP44’s spiritual children gained more traction in the 60s and 70s and still hold a place as the de-facto standard for infantry weapons. The receiver is marked “MP44” and “6828F/45” on the left side, with “swj” and “WaA623” marks on the underside. The forearm is constructed from stamped and ventilated sheet metal, with ribbed grip panels and
a hardwood buttstock. The buttstock is numbered to a different weapon, and the trigger housing and bolt assembly are renumbered to match the receiver. Included with the lot
is an unmarked magazine carrier rig, green canvas construction with leather flaps and
straps, five extra “MP44” marked magazines, cleaning tools, and a small copy of the manual. CONDITION: Very fine as assembled, with 80% of the gray phosphate finish on the receiver and
70% of the blue on the other component, with a plum tone to the barrel, scattered spotting, and a number of light scratches and dings. The wood is in fine order, with a slightly oversized screw in the grip panels and mild dings and scratches overall. The pouch rig is in good condition, with the canvas showing wear, fading, and stains from contact with the leather, and mild wear and handling overall. Mechanically excellent. NOTE: This weapon is a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is classified as a “Curios or Relic” as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 479.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500
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