(N) MAGNIFICENT AND VERY SCARCE EARLY MP-40 MACHINE GUN WITH UNMODIFIED RECEIVER SLOT AND “

Very early and scarce variation of the iconic German MP-40 machine gun manufactured by ERMA with the receiver tube slot unmodified for the later sliding bolt lock. This is the among the earliest variations of the MP-40 with many MP-38 features such as the provision for attaching the muzzle cover at the front sight, slab-sided magazine housing with early checkered style magazine release, and most notably the original matching hook-type MP-38 style bolt. The receiver was manufactured by Mertzwerke (cos), with WaA44 proof and dated “40”, with ERMA final proofs. Front sight hood is “856” with Erma proof. Sight base is Erma proofed, barrel has no visible number and is Steyr “bnz” & “625” proofed, with original bakelite resting bar with casting number. Barrel nut is Erma with “900”. Rear sight is matching (143). Lower is Erma with simple “ayf” below “MP 40” on top of backcap with matching serial number (7143a) on the left side. Swing-out shoulder loop is matching Erma (143). Trigger frame is matching and even the trigger itself is marked “280”. The bolt is Erma and matching (7143 a) visible through charging handle slot. The grips are slightly ill-fitting. One “42” dated original 32-round magazine is included with this gun. Electronic NFA registry indicates “GERMANY” as the manufacturer. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine to near excellent combination of original finish on the receiver, magazine housing, sling ring, lower assembly, and bolt with some scratches and loss of finish to gray patina at the high edges. The barrel nut has been refinished with a dull matte finish over some marks, and the hook on the barrel as well. The barrel has been polished and refinished with the original proofs still visible. The lower center edge of the ejection port shows a loss of metal and some grinding with a spot of old tack weld ground down at the top and 11 o’clock part of the sling ring. All evidence indicates this gun was at one time deactivated by having a plugged barrel welded to the receiver and the bolt welded in the closed position. A top restorative specialist could improve the appearance if desired. Bore has strong shiny rifling getting a little dark in the grooves. Bolt face is extremely fine. Bakelite furniture is extremely fine to near excellent. Magazine is a brown patina. Mechanics are crisp. This is a full-auto-only machine gun. Finding a first year of production (17143rd) gun with an unaltered charging slot and original matching bolt is very uncommon. As it is this is a fine and very desirable specimen, and if someone were to acquire an early Erma barrel nut and do a bit of careful restorative work, this would be among the top desirable specimens in the collector community. THIS IS A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEM AND REQUIRES BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. THIS ITEM IS FULLY TRANSFERABLE ON AN ATF FORM 3 OR 4 AS CURIO & RELIC ELIGIBLE. JWK 2024-05-116. Accessories: 1 magazine total Barrel Length: 9 - 3/4" Caliber/Bore: 9mm FFL Status: NFA Manufacturer: Germany Model: MP40 Serial Number: 7143