This is a very fine example of a desirable German MP43/44 Sturmgewehr assault rifles manufactured by the C.G. Haenel factory during WWII. This series of weapon was one of the first true production assault rifles ever manufactured in the world. It used the new intermediate length 7.92 X 33mm Kurz in lieu of the standard 7.92 (8mm) cartridge and was intended to replace both the MP40 SMGs and the standard K98 rifle as the basic infantry weapon in the later months of WWII. The theory was that the German soldiers could carry more ammunition since this round weighed considerably less than the 7.92 X 57 mm cartridge, and it still had an effective range of approximately 200-600 and was more effective than the standard 9mm parabellum as used in the MP40s. They used a combination of sheet-metal stampings, pinned or welded together, with rough forged castings with minimal machining of the parts or components combined with a fully machined rifle barrel. The only non-metal parts were the simple slab-sided wooden buttstock and the bakelite pistol grip panels. The left side of the receiver is marked "4627d/44", and the upper receiver is stamped "MP43", which indicates production in early 1944. The front underside of the receiver is stamped: "byf" indicating it was manufactured by the Mauser factory and it has the appropriate "Eagle/135" Waffenamt proofs. Many of the various parts also have a "Eagle/WaA37" Waffenamt acceptance proof used by the C.G. Haenel factory. It has an blue finish with the bolt and bolt carrier assembly still in the white. It is complete with two original magazines (one marked "MP43/fxo/37" and the other one marked with a "qnw/Eagle 214" proofmark on the right side) and an original leather sling.

Fine with 60% plus of the original blue finish overall with general wear and thinning overall from actual combat use and handling. The buttstock is also in fine condition being a little dark and oily overall with minor handling marks on the sides. The handguard/heat shield is a little lose. It has all matching visible parts including the bolt. This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA) Fully Automatic Weapon currently registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (BATF&E) and has been classified as a "Curios or Relic" as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478.