A spiritual descendant of the World War I Bergmann MP18 SMG, the MP34 was developed and prototyped by Solothurn in Switzerland and manufactured by Steyr in Austria; restricted from SMG development by the terms of the Versailles Treaty, Rheinmetall of Germany bought stakes in both companies to get around the rules. A fine piece of craftsmanship, the MP34 is a fine exemplar of the final generation of hand-fitted, precisely machined sub-machine guns, which would give way to the mass-manufactured, machine stamped, utilitarian lines of the Sten, MP40 and their descendants. While the MP38 and MP40 would serve as the primary submachine guns for Germany in World War II, the MP34 did serve as a secondary close combat weapon. Blade front and 500 yard tangent rear sights, with a ventilated heat shield, an "E" and "D" marked selector switch on the left side of the stock, and a bolt locking manual safety on the top cover. The top cover is marked "660/1939", with a set of Waffenamt proofs on top of the receiver. The bolt is unnumbered, with a replacement fixed firing pin installed on the face. Fitted with a smooth pistol grip stock numbered to match the receiver, with a number in black paint (possibly "100") on the underside ahead of the trigger guard, "1/0" on the right side of the forearm and heel, and a Luftwaffe "eagle/L" proof stamp on the right side of the buttstock. Magazine absent.

Very good, with 50% of the faded original blue finish, showing scattered areas of brown and gray patina, scattered spotting and handling marks. An unknown residue (possibly a combination of grease and wax paper for preservative purposes) is on multiple components, which responds well to light cleaning. The stock is also very good, with minor cracks behind the receiver, traces of transparent tape on the left side of the buttstock, and a number of dings and scratches on the right. Mechanically very good. NOTE: This weapon is a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is classified as a "Curios or Relic" as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 479.