This is a good example of a late WWII German MP44 assault rifle, that was manufactured by the Erma Waffenfabrik in Erfurt Germany. The 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) with an "Eagle/WaA44" Waffenamt proof and a "Eagle/280" Waffenamt proof. There were approximately 300,000 manufactured before the end of WWII and they are considered as the first true production assault rifles. They could fire in both a fully automatic and semi-automatic mode, chambered for the 7.92 x 33mm Kurz round. This weapon was intended to replace the MP40 SMG and 98k rifles, by using a shorter/lighter cartridge, with a greater effective range than the MP40s with a higher rate of fire than the standard K98 rifle. They were manufactured using various wartime expedient techniques, such as a sheet-metal stamped receiver and trigger housing with minimal machined parts, such as the bolt assembly and barrel. They also used a simple slab-sided wooden buttstock and the bakelite pistol grip panels. The receiver is stamped on the left side of the magazine housing with "1489n/44" and "MP44" on the upper side, (with the "8" in the serial number over stamped). The underside of the buttstock section is stamped "cos/489" and the rear of the trigger housing is also stamped with "1489". It is complete with one magazine that is stamped "fxo/37" and "MP43".

Fine with 70% of the original blued finish overall showing general light blue loss and wear overall with the foregrip area and exposed barrel having a gray patina. The buttstock and grip plates are also in good condition with minimal handling marks with the buttstock having a 2 inch crack through the lower section. 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.