This is an excellent example of an original WWII German MP43/1 assault rifle. This rifle is actually an early or transition model from the MKb 42 assault rifle to the standard MP43 configuration. This example is easily identified by the longer exposed front section of the barrel that has a “1 inch” long threaded muzzle and muzzle nut that was designed for use with a screw on grenade launchers and blank firing devices. This feature was later dropped in all subsequent production models as they were fitted with a shorter “½ inch” threaded muzzle for use with a “clamp on” type device. These assault rifles are considered to be the true “first” production, assault rifle ever manufactured with approximately 300,000 manufactured before the war ended. One of the most unique/important features of these rifles is that they used a shortened 8mm cartridge, (7.92 X 33mm Kurz) which ushered in a whole new generation of intermediate length, assault rifle cartridges in the postwar years. This family of assault rifles was intended to replace both the MP40 SMGs and the 98k rifles, based on the theory that a Nazi soldier could carry more ammo with a longer effective range capability (200-600) than the 9mm as used in the MP40s; but with a higher sustained volume of firepower than the 98K rifle. The weapons are a marvel of wartime expedient manufacturing techniques using various types of parts produced from fully machined and manufactured parts (the barrel) to various sheet-metal stampings, pinned or welded to together, to rough forged castings with minimal machining. The only non-metal parts were the simple slab-sided wooden butt stock and the bakelite pistol grip panels. The left side of the magazine well is stamped: “3570 c/43” with the upper part of the receiver stamped “MP43/1". The front underside of the receiver is stamped "cos" indicating manufacture at the Merzwerke, Gebr, werks in Merz Frankfurt; who also supplied various other stamped parts from 1942 to 1945. That is followed by a small "fxo/Eagle/ WaA44” Waffenamt, the wartime manufacturers code for the C.G. Haenel factory in Suhl and the inspector stamp for the receiver, followed by a single "Eagle/WaA37" Waffenamt, acceptance proof by the Haenel factory. The left side of the trigger housing is stamped with a single “awt/WaA21” acceptance proof for the Wurttembergische Metallwarenfabrik A.G., who made the stamping for the trigger housing, along with the matching serial number “3570 c” on the tail of the housing. Additionally the exposed section of the barrel has several “Eagle/37” Waffenamt and Eagle firing proof. It has an all blued finish with the bolt and bolt carrier assembly still in the white with an original early walnut butt stock. This very desirable MP43 is complete with one original, all blued, early “MP 43” marked 30 round magazine, with the right side marked “bte/Eagle/WaA 686” Waffenamt proof.