This is a fine example of a early WWII German MP43/1 assault rifle manufactured by the C.G. Haenel company. It has an all blued finish with the bolt and bolt carrier assembly still in the white with an original flat sided walnut butt stock. The "MP" series of assault rifles are considered to be the first true production, assault rifle with approximately 300,000 manufactured before the war ended. They were chambered for the new "7.92x33mm Kurz" round which was a shortened 8mm cartridge. This design ushered in a whole new generation of assault rifle in the postwar years, by using the shortened intermediate length cartridges. They were intended to replace the MP40 SMG and 98k rifles under the theory that a soldier could carry more shortened/lighter cartridges, but still had a longer effective range than the MP40s with a higher sustained rate of fire than the 98K. It could fire in both a fully automatic and semi-automatic mode. They utilized wartime expedient manufacturing techniques, with a sheet-metal stampings receiver and trigger housing with minimal machined parts, such as the bolt assembly and barrel, also combined with a simple slab-sided wooden butt stock and the bakelite pistol grip panels. The lower left side is stamped: "5401c/43" with upper side factory milled marking of: "MP43/1" over an earlier receiver marking. The front 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, along with a small "fxo" wartime manufacturers code for the C.G. Haenel factory in Suhl, who was a long time supplier of German small arms throughout WWII. Next to a small "eagle/ WaA44", and "eagle WaA37" Waffenamt. Additionally the front end of the barrel by the gas block carries the same Waffenamt proofs. It is complete with one magazine marked; "fxo/Eagle 37/MP43".

Very fine with 85% plus of the original blue finish overall showing general wear and blue loss on the sides of the receiver combined with a mixed blue/brown patina on top and sides of the receiver, and the buttstock attachment housing. The buttstock and grip panels are both in fine condition with nice original WWII finish showing wear and light pressure dents and nicks overall from use. The markings are clear and distinct. A very nice looking original WWII Nazi MP43/1 Assault rifle. 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.