This is a very fine example of a scarce pre-WWII Austrian MP34 SMG. These early SMGs are a marvel of machining and manufacturing, produced when every part was completely machined and hand fitted. This model was adopted by the Austrian Army in 1934 and was eventually manufactured for use by the German Army in 1939/40. This machine gun was produced by the Steyr factory and has the "Austrian Eagle proof/34" on the left side of the receiver. It has a one piece receiver, barrel jacket and magazine well that are all fully machined as noted. Fitted with a walnut stock, and fires from an open bolt in a blow-back operated manner in both semi and fully automatic. The cyclic rate was approximately 550 rpms. It has a rifle type tangent rear sight graduated from "50-500" meters with a blade front sight and a side mounted bayonet lug. These were later replaced by the MP38 and MP40s. It is complete with one original (rare) magazine. As noted this weapon is registered as a Class III/NFA weapon which has been deactivated by welding a plug in the chamber and the rear of the barrel to the receiver.