Lot 1519: Bergmann Theodor - MP18/1

This is a good example of a late WWI early Weimar era M.P.18 I submachine gun as manufactured by the Theodor Bergman factory. The model was originally designed by Hugh Schmeisser in 1917 and first appeared in early 1918. This was a blow-back type operated weapon firing the standard 9 mm Luger cartridge. It has a heavy tubular receiver and barrel jacket with a heavy round bolt with a fixed firing pin. The various parts and assemblies were all subcontracted out to smaller companies, with the Bergman factory doing the final assembly and testing. The top of the receiver it stamped: "M.P.18,I./1920/Crown C/7386". The receiver and barrel jacket are fitted with a fixed blade front sight with a 2 position (200 and 300 meters) rear sight. They are fitted with a one-piece walnut stock with finger grooves on the sides with a flat stamped steel buttplate. It has matching visible numbers on the various parts. After WWI they were considered as a significant war item as they were specifically banned/restricted under the Treaty of Versailles. Only the German Police, organized under the Weimar Government were allowed to have these weapons, so all of them are stamped with the "1920" date indicating that they were accounted for under the noted treaty. They have an angled magazine well which made them somewhat unbalanced, but that allowed them to use the standard German 32 round Artillery luger snail drum magazine as shown here. This SMG comes with one original WWI type 1 luger snail drum magazine.

Fine condition with 80% of a deep blue/black arsenal type refurbished finish, showing wear on the edges and high spots, with some areas of blued over minor pitting. The stock is in also very good condition having been arsenal refurbished, but still showing light pressure dents overall with heavier marks on the underside by the toe area. The drum magazine is in very fine condition overall. NOTE: This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is 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.