This is an exceptional and rare example of a German MP43/1 assault rifle, that has been fitted with the extremely rare, stamped sheet metal rear sight fitted with the sniper scope rails, that also comes equipped with the "Sheet metal ZF41 Scope mount". These sheet metal scope mounts were another extension of the various late war efforts by the German manufacturing industry to use simple but highly effective manufacturing process such as stamping and welding operations to be able to produce "state of the art" military equipment when the entire Germany manufacturing industry was in a total decline at the end of the war. This family of assault rifles is considered to be the first true production, assault rifle with approximately 300,000 manufactured before the war ended. They used a shortened 8mm cartridge, (7.92 X 33mm Kurz) which ushered in a whole new generation of intermediate length cartridges in the postwar years. These weapons were intended to replace the MP40 series of submachine guns and 98k rifles under the theory that a Nazi soldier could carry more ammo with a longer effective range capability (200-400) than the 9mm used in the MP40s with a higher sustained volume of firepower than the 98K rifle as it could fire in both a fully automatic and semi-automatic mode. The intent of the equipping the German assault rifles with an optical device was to strictly improve "hit probability" at extended ranges noted above (a concept that the US Army has just adopted within the last ten years or so). The weapons are a marvel of wartime expedient manufacturing techniques using parts produced from, sheet-metal stampings, rough forged castings with minimal machined parts or components. The only non-metal parts were the simple slab-sided wooden butt stock and the bakelite pistol grip panels. The sheet metal ZF41 scope mount is a simple flat stamping that was shaped in 2 or 3 simple bending operations over a step die with the rear section having two tabs that were just welded together. The rings on top of the mount are also simple flat stampings that were just screwed to the mount. The left side of he mount has a small intertwined "MW" surrounded by a cog wheel or gear, indicating manufacture at the Mauser Werkes. The scope itself is an early version produced by the Waffenwerke Brunn Prerau plant in Czechoslovakia and correctly coded "dow" and marked ZF-40 which has been lined out and remarked "41/1" indicating an upgrade. The lower side of the receiver is stamped with the serial number "1003a/43" with the stamped markings of "MP43/1" on the upper portion of the receiver. On (indicating production in late 1943 through mid 1944) the underside of the receiver is stamped with "cos" which stands for Merzwerke, Gebr. Merz Frankfurt, who was a supplier of stamped parts from 1942 to 1945, along with a small "fxo" wartime manufacturers code for the C.G. Haenel factory in Suhl, who was a long time supplier of German small arms throughout WWII. Next to a small "eagle/ WaA44", and "eagle WaA37" Waffenamt. Additionally the front end of the barrel by the gas block carries the same Waffenamt proofs. It is complete with one magazine marked MP43 and one early version marked "Mkb/42/MP43" and the other one marked MP43, a small metal scope case/box for scope that is marked on the back with a single Eagle WaA542 Waffenamt proof and the manufacturers code of "jvb", one stripper clip and one original MP 44 field or operators manual in the buttstock trap. It has an all blued finish with the bolt and bolt carrier assembly still in the white with an original early walnut butt stock. NOTE: This is a fully transferable NFA Class III Firearm currently on a Form 4. Even though a steel rod has been welded in the chamber the transfer paperwork reads that the firearm is a machine gun and Class III, not a DEWAT. Therefore it cannot transfer on a Form 5. Regardless of the weld this machine gun is highly desirable due to the scope and mount. You are required to check your state and/or local laws as to whether or not you may own this. This weapon can be transferred to a Class III dealer at no charge. Buyer pays all other transfer fees and stamps.

Excellent as deactivated, (steel rod welded in the chamber), with 95% of the original wartime blue finish still remaining overall with some thinning and blue loss on top of the upper receiver, the edges and high spots overall. The walnut butt stock is also in very good condition with a nice old age look with minor handling marks overall. The visible serial numbers all match and the rifle has been rendered inoperable.