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LOT 409
Rare World War II Erma “27/1940” MP.38 Submachine
Gun, Class III/NFA C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun -
Serial no. 4351B, 9 mm cal., 10 inch round bbl., blue finish, metal
stock. This is a seldom seen fully transferable MP.38 submachine
gun. Produced from 1938 to 1940, the MP.38 was in active use
during some of the earliest aggressive action of World War II
in Europe, and saw active use on all fronts; no doubt many
were destroyed through the rigors of service or captured on
the Eastern Front as the war went on, leaving few examples
to be captured by American GIs on the Western Front. The
immediate forerunner to the MP.40, the MP.38 marks a
transition point between the more intricate and expensive
machined steel and wood submachine guns of World War
I and the inter-war years with the more efficient stampings and
drawings that would typify the World War II European machine
gun. They were produced by three factories including Erma
Werke, Haenel and Steyr, with this example produced by the
Erma Werke factory in 1940. Often misattributed to Schmeisser,
the MP.38 set the tone for German submachine guns through
the end of the war, and the MP.40 would closely follow the
blueprint it set. The main changes between the models were
A) streamlining the design to speed production and reduce
reliance on machined components and B) introducing the
two-piece charging handle to improve the drop safety of the
weapon, an issue with open bolt submachine guns worldwide
versus a flaw with the MP.38 itself. Blade front and two-leaf
notch rear sights, with mismatched serial numbers and
“eagle/280” proofs on the replacement barrel, receiver, socket,
and several other components. The MP.38 receiver tube shows
the distinctive fluting down the length, with holes through
the sides of the magazine well, and the socket is marked “M.P.
38/27/1940”. The bolt assembly retains the original one-piece
charging handle, with the bolt raceway properly lacking the
notch for the later handle. Fitted with a set of matching number
Bakelite grip panels (minus the upper right panel, which has no
visible number) and an underfolding steel stock.
CONDITION: Fine, with areas of pitting under the custom
refinished blue and scattered dings overall, some fading of
the markings, and mild handling marks and edge wear. The
refinished panels show some light scuffing. 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: 25,000 - 37,500
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