Original Item: Only One Available. This is an exceptional full-size inert German WWII MP44 display gun assembled almost entirely from original wartime components, including sections of the original demilled receiver, barrel assembly, bolt, trigger housing, early solid-wood stock, and an original MP44-marked magazine. The receiver, stock cup, and bolt retain matching serial number 7991 h, while the original receiver marking includes the desirable MP44 nomenclature and 1944 date.

This is not a modern replica, molded reproduction, or newly manufactured exterior copy. Aside from the solid-steel sections required to reconstruct the permanently non-firing receiver, the visible components are original German WWII military-issue parts. The display retains the authentic weight, construction, machining, markings, and appearance of one of the most important infantry weapons developed during the war.

The receiver was constructed using surviving portions of the original torch-cut receiver, including the original barrel bushing and marked receiver sections, combined with newly manufactured solid-steel bar stock. Approximately one-third of the receiver’s total length was replaced with solid steel, leaving a substantial section completely solid and permanently incapable of accepting the original operating components. BATF guidance requires machine gun receivers to be completely severed by torch cuts through critical areas before they are considered destroyed. This example was reconstructed specifically as a permanently inert display from such demilled components rather than as a functional firearm.

The receiver interior does not contain the complete internal mechanism required for operation, and the display cannot chamber, fire, or cycle ammunition. It is being sold strictly as a historical display piece.

The MP44 and the Birth of the Modern Assault Rifle

The MP44, later officially redesignated the Sturmgewehr 44 or StG 44, is widely regarded as the first successful military rifle to combine a compact intermediate cartridge, detachable high-capacity magazine, selective-fire capability, and practical infantry-rifle dimensions. Its basic concept strongly influenced the development of postwar assault rifles and established a weapon category that remains central to modern military small arms.

German infantry units entered WWII primarily armed with the bolt-action Karabiner 98k, supplemented by submachine guns and squad machine guns. Combat on the Eastern Front demonstrated the need for an individual weapon capable of producing greater short- and medium-range firepower than a bolt-action rifle while offering more range and effectiveness than a pistol-caliber submachine gun.

The solution was the 7.92×33mm Kurz intermediate cartridge and a new family of weapons initially developed under the designation Maschinenkarabiner. The resulting MKb 42 designs evolved into the MP43, MP44, and finally the StG 44. The MP43 was officially renamed MP44 in April 1944, followed by the Sturmgewehr 44 designation later that year, although older markings continued to appear as manufacturers used existing tooling and components.

The word Sturmgewehr translates literally as “storm rifle” and gave rise to the modern term “assault rifle.” The weapon offered German infantrymen controllable semiautomatic fire for ordinary engagement and automatic fire for close-range emergencies, all in a platform shorter and handier than a full-power battle rifle.

Original 1944-Dated MP44 Receiver Sections

The original receiver section above the magazine well is marked:

7991 h
44

The “44” marking indicates 1944 production. The serial number suffix letter formed part of the German production-numbering system, allowing manufacturers to continue through numbered blocks as output increased.

Another surviving section of the original receiver retains the fully legible model designation: MP44

This identifies the gun as an example produced under the MP44 nomenclature rather than the later StG 44 marking. Although the official designation changed during the latter part of 1944, the transition was not instantaneous, and MP44 markings continued to be applied during production.

The original demilled receiver sections were carefully aligned with the newly manufactured solid-steel portions to restore the correct external shape and proportions. The construction was completed by one of our precision-minded master gunsmiths, who preserved the original markings and military components while ensuring that the finished assembly remained permanently non-firing.

Partially Matching Numbered Components

The display was assembled from a desirable partially matching original parts set. The principal number 7991 h appears on the receiver, the stock cup, and the bolt.

The trigger housing is numbered: 5976 e

This component was therefore replaced during the weapon’s military service, arsenal history, or later parts-set life. The mixed trigger housing is not unusual on a weapon system whose components were designed to be replaced during maintenance and repair.

The survival of the matching receiver, bolt, and stock cup remains a significant feature. Demilled MP44 parts sets were frequently separated, rebuilt, or assembled from components originating with several different weapons, making any substantial degree of matching particularly desirable.

Original Barrel Assembly

The display retains its original German WWII barrel, barrel bushing, gas system components, front sight base, barrel nut, sight hood, and carrying components associated with the MP44 assembly.

The chamber appears to have been welded closed at some point, probably during an earlier deactivation or display conversion. The obstructing material was later drilled out, allowing the bore to be examined. The barrel remains strictly part of the inert display and must never be used on a functional firearm.

The bore is surprisingly strong, retaining a mostly bright surface with crisp lands and grooves. There is scattered wear, residue, and evidence of its previous alteration, but the rifling remains highly visible.

The often-missing barrel nut and front sight hood are both present. These small parts are frequently lost from stripped or demilled weapons, and their survival adds considerably to the completeness and visual appeal of the display.

Maker and Inspection Markings

The display retains a particularly interesting mixture of German wartime manufacturer codes and Waffenamt military inspection stamps. The wide range of codes illustrates the decentralized nature of MP44 production, in which numerous factories supplied barrels, stampings, trigger housings, stocks, magazines, and other components for final assembly.

The underside of the barrel bushing is marked: cos

This code is associated with Merz-Werke Gebrüder Merz of Frankfurt am Main, a major producer of stamped components used in MP44 and StG 44 manufacture.

The same area is also marked: fxo

This code is associated with C. G. Haenel of Suhl, one of the principal firms involved in the development and manufacture of the MP43 and MP44 series.

An Eagle over 37 Waffenamt inspection stamp is also present. This inspection code is associated with arms production in the Suhl manufacturing region and appears on several components of the display.

There is an additional: WaA44

Inspection marking on the barrel-bushing area. This stamp is encountered on MP44 components and is often associated with subcontracted production and inspection.

The underside of the handguard is marked: aqr

This code identifies R. u. O. Lux, Metallwaren- und Maschinenfabrik A.G. of Marienthal-Bad Liebenstein in Thuringia, another known producer of stamped MP44 components.

Trigger Housing and Controls

The original trigger housing is marked: awt

This code is associated with Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik A.G. of Geislingen an der Steige.

Beside the manufacturer code is the inspection marking: WaA21

This Waffenamt stamp is regularly encountered on original MP44 and StG 44 trigger-housing assemblies. An additional Eagle over 37 inspection mark appears on the left side of the trigger.

The rear of the trigger housing is numbered: 5976 e

As noted above, this does not match the receiver serial number 7991 h and indicates that the trigger group was replaced or combined with the weapon at some point.

The safety and fire-selector controls still move, and the trigger can be pulled. These surviving external functions greatly enhance the realism of the display, but they do not operate a firing mechanism because the receiver is permanently inert and lacks the necessary internal arrangement.

Gas System and Front Sight Components

The gas regulator assembly is marked: ce

The same code appears on the front portion of the front sight base. This code is associated with J. P. Sauer & Sohn of Suhl, another important German arms manufacturer involved in the MP44 production network.

The regulator, barrel, and front sight base also bear Eagle over 37 inspection stamps.

The top of the gas piston is marked with a single: m

The meaning of this marking has not been identified. It may be an internal supplier, assembly, inspection, or production mark.

Early Solid-Wood Stock

The display is fitted with an attractive early-pattern solid-wood buttstock rather than the laminated stock frequently encountered on later production examples.

The stock cup is numbered: 7991 h

This matches the receiver and bolt.

The stock cup is also marked: cos

A WaA44 inspection marking is present as well, matching the code encountered on the barrel-bushing area.

The stock remains in lovely overall condition, displaying attractive grain, age, handling wear, small marks, and the expected surface variation of original wartime wood. The corner-guard markings are no longer legible due to earlier oxidation and cleaning.

The solid stock gives the display an especially desirable early-war production appearance and contrasts beautifully with the stamped sheet-metal receiver and handguard.

Original MP44 Magazine

Included is an original German WWII MP44 magazine in very good service-used condition. The magazine body is marked:

MP44
kur
WaA815

The code “kur” is associated with Steyr-Daimler-Puch production at Werk Graz. The WaA815 marking is the corresponding military inspection code encountered on components produced under that manufacturing system.

The floorplate is marked: qlx This is a late-war manufacturer code associated with C. G. Haenel of Suhl. The magazine spring is marked: C.H.N.

This marking is associated with Gebrüder Reinhold, Maschinenfabrik und Eisengießerei of Zwötzen bei Gera in Thuringia.

The retaining springs associated with the floorplate are slightly bent, allowing the floorplate to be removed more easily than intended. The magazine nevertheless fits properly into the original magazine well and locks securely into place.

Where required by state law, the spring and follower will be removed before shipment. Prospective purchasers should confirm the magazine restrictions applicable in their jurisdiction.

Condition

The display remains in excellent overall presentation condition and has the authentic appearance expected of a well-preserved original WWII MP44 assembled from genuine military parts.

The metal components retain a mixture of original finish, worn finish, gray and brown patina, handling marks, scratches, oxidation, and cleaned areas. The visible variation between individual components reflects the weapon’s wartime manufacture, later use, demilitarization, and eventual reconstruction as an inert display.

The solid-steel replacement receiver sections are integrated carefully with the original demilled sections. The original MP44 marking, 1944 date, serial number, manufacturer codes, and inspection stamps remain visible and legible.

The barrel bore is mostly bright with strong rifling but has undergone previous chamber welding and drilling. It is included strictly for display.

The original stock is particularly attractive, while the barrel nut, sight hood, magazine, controls, and numerous small components give the gun a highly complete appearance.

Original MP44 and StG 44 rifles are among the most desirable and historically important German small arms of WWII. Transferable functional examples are extremely scarce, highly regulated, and financially beyond the reach of most collectors. Original parts sets have also become increasingly difficult to obtain, particularly those retaining matching components, legible markings, intact stocks, magazines, barrel nuts, and sight hoods.

This inert display offers the authentic appearance and physical presence of the original weapon because it is constructed almost entirely from genuine wartime components. The solid-steel receiver sections do not detract from that authenticity; they are what allow the original parts to be preserved in a permanently inert and displayable configuration.

The matching receiver, bolt, and stock cup, original 1944-dated MP44 receiver section, early solid-wood stock, excellent bore, original magazine, and abundance of manufacturer and Waffenamt markings make this a particularly desirable example. The varied maker codes also provide substantial research potential and vividly demonstrate the complex network of firms required to manufacture Germany’s revolutionary new infantry rifle during the final years of the war.

A superb full-size MP44 built from original German WWII components, combining exceptional visual authenticity, partially matching numbers, an original magazine, and extensive wartime markings in one of the most impressive inert small-arms displays a collector can own.

Specifications:
Country: Germany
Period: WWII
Model Marking: MP44
Common Later Designation: Sturmgewehr 44 or StG 44
Configuration: Permanently Inert Display Gun
Receiver Serial Number: 7991 h
Receiver Date: 1944
Matching Components: Receiver, Bolt and Stock Cup
Trigger Housing Number: 5976 e
Caliber Represented: 7.92×33mm Kurz
Receiver Construction: Original Demilled Receiver Sections Combined with Newly Manufactured Solid-Steel Sections

History of the MP44-
The StG 44 (Sturmgewehr 44, literally "storm rifle" model of 1944 was an assault rifle developed in NSDAP Germany during World War II that was the first of its kind to see major deployment and is considered by many historians to be the first modern assault rifle. It is also known under the designations MP 43 and MP 44 (Maschinenpistole 43, Maschinenpistole 44 respectively), which denote earlier development versions of the same weapon with some differences like a different butt end, muzzle nut, shape of the front sight base or with an unstepped barrel, all only visible with close inspection.

MP 43, MP 44, and StG 44 were different designations for what was essentially the same rifle, with minor updates in production. The variety in nomenclatures resulted from the complicated bureaucracy in NSDAP Germany. Developed from the Mkb 42(H) "machine carbine", the StG44 combined the characteristics of a carbine, submachine gun and automatic rifle. StG is an abbreviation of Sturmgewehr. The name was chosen for propaganda reasons and literally means "storm rifle" as in "to storm (i.e. "assault") an enemy position". After the adoption of the StG 44, the English translation "assault rifle" became the accepted designation for this type of infantry small arm.

The rifle was chambered for the 7.92×33mm Kurz cartridge. This shorter version of the German standard (7.92x57mm) rifle round, in combination with the weapon's selective-fire design, provided a compromise between the controllable firepower of a submachine gun at close quarters with the accuracy and power of a Karabiner 98k bolt action rifle at intermediate ranges. While the StG44 had less range and power than the more powerful infantry rifles of the day, Wehrmacht studies had shown that most combat engagements occurred at less than 300 m, with the majority within 200 m. Full-power rifle cartridges were excessive for the vast majority of uses for the average soldier. Only a trained specialist, such as a sniper, could make full use of the standard rifle round's range and power.

The StG 44's receiver was made of heavy stamped and welded steel as were other contemporary arms such as the MP 40 and MG 42. This made for a fairly heavy rifle, especially one firing an intermediate-power cartridge. Difficulties with fabrication, the need to use available non-priority steels, and the exigencies of war resulted in a heavy receiver. U.S. military intelligence criticized the weight of the weapon along with the inclusion of the fully automatic feature which it considered "ineffectual for all practical purposes", convinced that full automatic fire with StG 44 was permitted in emergencies only. This was a misinterpretation of the manual however, as the German manual states that automatic fire was "advised only in emergencies", this was mainly to make sure that the regular soldier didn't unnecessarily waste his ammunition spraying at targets, but instead fired in short accurate bursts to achieve maximum accuracy and effect; the StG could easily and safely be used in full automatic mode. The British were also critical saying that the receiver could be bent and the bolt locked up by the mere act of knocking a leaning rifle onto a hard floor. Many of these criticisms are more a testimonial of the Allied aversion rather than an accurate view of the weapon's characteristics that were proven highly effective during combat in the war.

To its credit, it was the first successful weapon of its class, and the concept had a major impact on modern infantry small arms development. By all accounts, the StG 44 fulfilled its role admirably, particularly on the Eastern Front, offering a greatly increased volume of fire compared to standard infantry rifles. In the end, it came too late to have a significant effect on the outcome of the war.