Original Item: Only One available. The SS (Schutzstaffel - 'Protection Squadron') was originally formed in 1925, ostensibly to act as a small, loyal bodyguard unit to protect the Führer, Adolf H. Under the direction of the Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, the SS grew to be the most ruthless and feared organization of the 20th century. They were the vanguard of NSDAP and eventually controlled nearly every function of German life and much of Occupied Europe.

When WWII began in earnest, the SS-Verfügungstruppe (SS-VT) (SS Dispositional Troops) became the Waffen-SS ("Armed SS"), an official military branch of the SS organization. Its formations included men from NSDAP ruled Germany, along with volunteers and conscripts from both occupied and unoccupied lands.

Just purchased from a private collection, this is an incredible Inert MP35/I Display Sub Machine Gun, built from all original parts on an original BATF approved display receiver. It has properly had a large portion replaced entirely with solid steel bar stock, and the original barrel deactivated by welding the chamber. Many of the internal components were also demilitarized long ago, and welded in place, making this totally legal to own without a license of any kind. The trigger still pulls, and the safety still works. It also comes with some left over internal components and springs.

This is one of only TWO Bergmann MP35 SMG offerings that we have ever had. These were never produced in large quantities, and did not see nearly as wide issue as the more popular and easier to produce MP40. Even better, this example bears official German SS markings!

The original receiver markings on this fine example are still clear:

The maker code "ajf" indicates manufacture by Junker und Ruh AG, located in Karlsruhe, Baden. They were known mainly for making the MP35/I as well as anti-tank grenades. They were the primary manufacturer of these during WWII.

The very rare ᛋᛋ doppelte Siegrune (Double Sig/Victory Rune) Waffenamt marking indicates definitive acceptance and issue to the SS, making this an exceedingly rare example. We have only had one MP 35 before, as a parts set, and it was not SS marked. While most were supplied to the Waffen-SS, we have not seen one previously with this marking. This is an offering that is unlikely to ever be duplicated.

The serial number 3090 / C is present on many components of the display gun, including the end cap, the stock, the trigger guard, and possibly others. This was most likely an "All Matching" example, and from the looks of it, did not see much use prior to capture. This leaves it in simply wonderful display condition.

It comes complete with an original magazine (where permitted) and sling, which looks to be original issue. It is in good condition, with overall wear.

This is one of the few MP35 offerings that we have ever had. It will definitely not last long, so act now to acquire an example of this very rare German WWII submachine gun!

History of the Bergmann MP35

The MP35 (Maschinenpistole 35, literally "Machine Pistol 35") was a submachine gun (SMG) used by the Wehrmacht, Waffen-SS and German police both before and during World War II. It was developed in the early 1930s by Emil Bergmann (son of Theodor Bergmann) and manufactured at the Bergmann company in Suhl (that also built one of the first submachine guns, the MP 18).

The forerunner of the MP35 was the MP32 that Danish company Schultz & Larsen produced (under licence from the Bergmann company) and which was chambered for 9×23mm Bergmann ammunition. The BMP32 design was later updated by the Bergmann factory and in 1934, the Bergmann MP34 submachine gun appeared (not to be confused with different Steyr MP34). The limited manufacturing capabilities at the Bergmann plant required production to be shifted to Carl Walther's Zella-Mehlis plant. This German company produced some 2,000 BMP34s for export and domestic sales.

Several variants of the BMP34 were manufactured with a 200mm standard or 320mm barrel. During 1935, a simplified version of the BMP34 designated as Bergmann MP35/I appeared. Initial production orders for MP35 were also placed at Walther, which made about 5,000 SMGs between 1936 and 1940.

With the outbreak of World War II, production once again shifted from Walter to Junker & Ruh (manufacture code 'ajf') to manufacture the MP35 weapon (which it did through to 1944). During the war, about 40,000 Bergmann submachine guns were produced by Junker, and almost all were supplied to the Waffen-SS.

The MP35 was a blowback-operated, selective fire SMG which fired from an open bolt. The weapon featured a non-reciprocating cocking handle placed at the rear of the receiver, which was operated in a similar fashion to bolt-action on a Mauser rifle. This involved the weapon carrier to manually pull the handle up, pull backwards, push forwards and lock back down. When the gun was then fired the cocking handle remained stationary.

On the BMP32 the weapon featured a safety at the rear of the bolt (again in a similar location to the Mauser rifle). On both BMP34 and MP35 the safety was relocated to the left side of the receiver. The shooter could select the mode of firing by applying different pressure to the trigger - a short pull fired single shots; a long pull resulted in full automatic fire. Feed was from right side of the gun, with ejection to the left.

In contrast to many other SMGs of the time the MP35's magazine was inserted from the right-hand side of the weapon. Early versions used proprietary magazines, the BMP35 used Schmeisser MP28-compatible magazines. The barrel was enclosed into tubular jacket with cooling slots and muzzle brake/compensator at the front.

It was first known as the MP32 when adopted as such by the Danish Army in caliber 9×23mm Bergmann then as the MP34 (this not the same as the MP34 made by Steyr) when it was adopted by the Belgian Army as the Mitraillette 34.

It was adopted officially as MP35 by the Wehrmacht. It saw action predominantly with SS troops.