Achtung! This is an excellent example of an all original and very desirable MP-40 Submachine gun as used throughout WWII by all the German forces. These MP40 SMGs were highly prized as war trophies even during WWII and are even more desirable today and are probably the most sought-after WWII SMGs ever offered for sale. These were so widely used by all German forces if you look at any picture or news reel footage of fighting in WWII you will probably see someone using an MP40. They were light weight, accurate, easy to point and shoot making them an ideal weapon to carry out the "Blitzkrieg" campaign that was so effectively used by the German in the early stages of WWII. Typically you will hear WWII Vets call them a "Schmeisser" or Machine pistol and in fact they were a true submachine gun, firing a 9mm Parabellum round from an open bolt with a cyclic rate of approximately 500 rpm. They were produced by several companies from 1938 through late 1944. The primary manufacturers were Steyr, Erma, and Haenel with the assistance of numerous subcontractors and between them they were able to produce over 1 million MP40's before the war ended. This specific model is a mid-war production model produced in 1943 by the Erma factory in Erfurt and is so marked on top of the rear receiver cap with the "ayf" manufacturers code. This is a third model variant MP40 and has the ribbed sheet metal magazine housing with the sheet metal lower receiver with the two flat surfaces on the barrel nut with the metal barrel resting bar with the two piece bolt handle. The barrel is serial numbered 5943W and has the small "ayf" with "eagle / 280" Waffenampt. The receiver carries two serial numbers, the first one directly on top of the receiver is "5943 / W" and below that it has "eagle / 280" Waffenampt with an over stamp of what appears to be an "eagle / 623" proof (from Styre) and then farther down there is another serial or assembly number of 5660. The rear receiver cap of the lower receiver is correctly marked "MP 40" over "ayf 43" and directly below and to the left it is marked with the large serial number "5943 W" and "cnd" with a single Waffenampt stamp of a "WaA 254". It has the traditional dark red bakelite grips and lower receiver cover. The triggergroup, folding buttstock, barrel nut, bolt, telescoping firing pin assembly, and rear sight are all correctly serial numbered and matching to the receiver. This MP40 is complete with one original ribbed sided MP40 magazine, marked "ayf 43" on the back with two original spare magazines, both marked MP38u-40 on the left side with Waffenampt proofs and markings on the back side and one original and very desirable magazine loading tool.

This is an excellent example of a WWII MP40 SMG with matching numbers on the various parts (except the barrel bar). It still retains approximately 95-97% of the original WWII blue finish with wear on the edges and high spots overall with a little more on the receiver, magazine housing and on the sides of the barrel nut and on the folding buttock assembly ( buttplate and left and right stock arms). The grip panels and lower receiver cover are in excellent condition with nice dark color showing minor wear with a few handling marks but no cracks or damage. Just a super nice condition WWII MP 40 SMG. Class 3 Weapon.