Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original German WWII MP 40 Maschinenpistole 40 ribbed magazine well assembly constructed from stamped and welded steel. It is the later full production ribbed pattern developed to provide greater rigidity than the earlier smooth sided magazine housing. The assembly retains its internal components and functional magazine catch, along with a small Eagle inspection stamp and Waffenamt WaA254 marking attributed to ERMA of Erfurt.

The housing is manufactured from stamped sheet steel that was formed, folded, and welded into shape, with the internal reinforcement and magazine catch components added during assembly. The construction is consistent with wartime MP 40 production methods.

This example has the characteristic longitudinal reinforcement ribs along the sides of the magazine well. These ribs strengthened the housing compared with the earlier smooth sided configuration, which was more susceptible to denting and deformation.

Despite the reinforced construction, the left side of this example is pushed inward slightly. The deformation is visible but does not prevent operation of the magazine catch, which remains functional.

No primary manufacturer code is visible on the assembly. The rear portion of the magazine well does, however, carry a small Eagle inspection stamp together with:

WaA254

This Waffenamt marking is associated with ERMA, Erfurter Maschinenfabrik B. Geipel GmbH of Erfurt, the firm closely associated with the development and manufacture of the MP 38 and MP 40. In the absence of a direct maker code, the ERMA attribution is based on this inspection marking.

Overall condition is very good. Considerable original blued finish remains in protected areas, while exposed surfaces have worn toward a gray patina. There are scattered traces of old peppering and oxidation, along with the noted inward deformation on the left side.

With its later ribbed construction, functional magazine catch, surviving original blue, Eagle inspection stamp, and WaA254 marking attributed to ERMA, this is a strong original MP 40 magazine well assembly. The absence of a direct maker code, slight left side deformation, finish wear, and scattered old peppering are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in an MP 40 parts, German WWII small arms, ERMA production, or inert display collection.

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.