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 a very good bore, however it was welded directly to the receiver long ago to deactivate it. Original markings have been maintained and make a keystone item for any serious WWII collection. It comes complete with an original magazine, along with a recoil assembly and firing pin.

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

This indicates manufacture by C.G. Haenel of Suhl, Germany, who manufactured many small arms and parts during the war. The left side of the receiver cup is marked with serial number 61504, 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 1504 / f, and there are two Waffenamt Eagle / 37 proofs below it, associated with Suhl Germany. Above the serial number is Waffenamt WaA44 above this, often associated with Auto-Union. The bottom of the receiver in front of the magazine well is marked with another WaA44 proof, along with three letter code cos for Gebrüder Merz, Merz-Werke, Frankfurt, Main, a known maker of small arms components throughout the war. We assume this means that the receiver was contractor made, and shipped to Haenel.

The trigger group is marked with Matching Serial number 1504 f, while both sides of the butt stocks are marked with shortened number 504, with 04 on the release button. The left side of the magazine well is stamped with 504, also present on the resting bar and left side of the sight protector. The barrel is also marked with serial 1504 f, along with Waffenamt Eagle / 37 markings, and there is 504 on the barrel nut. Virtually every part we can find of this display gun is matching, something we almost never see! The only non-matching part of this set is the firing pin holder on the recoil assembly, probably swapped out long ago. There are also Waffenamt proofs on various parts of the display gun.

Included is an original MP 40 magazine in very good to excellent condition, which is correctly marked MP. 38 u. 40 on the side, with maker code 98E 41 on the back for 1941 production by Ostdeutsche Fahrzeugfabrik, located in Stolp, then part of "East Prussia" but today Słupsk in Northern Poland. This company is a known maker of bent steel components such as magazines and bipods for the MG 34 and MG 42. It is also marked on the back with two Waffenamt WaA815 stamps, correct for this maker. 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 Matching Serial Number MP40 display gun, complete with an original magazine and recoil assembly! 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.