This is a solid example of a WWII German MP44 assault rifle. The side of the receiver is stamped with the serial number 1899g/44 (indicating production in 1944) with the model "MP44" stamped farther down the receiver. 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) and an "Eagle WaA444 Waffenamt proof next to "fxo" and a Eagle 37" Waffenamt. It has an all blued finish and has the walnut buttstock assembly with the lower trigger housing having a gray patina finish. It is complete with one 40 round magazine correctly marked MP44. This weapon is considered the grandfather of all assault rifles and was the first true production assault rifle with approximately 300,000 manufactured before the war ended. These rifles uses the 7.92 X 33mm Kurz, intermediate length cartridge that is basically a shortened 8mm Mauser cartridge. The theory being that a Wehrmacht soldier could carry more ammo with a longer effective range capability than the 9mm used in the MP40s with a higher sustained volume of firepower than the 98K rifle because it could fired in both full automatic or as a single shot. This short cartridge actually pioneered in a completely new generation of rifle cartridges after WWII. The MP-44s are a marvel of wartime expedient manufacturing techniques using stamped sheet metal parts with minimal machined parts or components. The only non-metal parts were the simple slab-sided buttstock and the bakelite pistol grip panels. This weapons appears to be fully functional and does not appear to have ever been dewated or rendered inoperable. It should be noted that the ATF Form 4 paper work that accompanies this weapon lists it as a "Class III Machinegun", and it has the appropriate ATF tax transfer stamp affixed at the top of the paper work. Be sure to check your local regulations to made sure you can legally own this weapon.