This is a late WWII German MP44 assault rifle, manufactured by the C.G. Haenel factory as manufactured circa 1944, that has been reactivated. 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. There were approximately 300,000 manufactured before the end of WWII and they are considered the first true production assault rifle as it could fire in both a fully automatic and semi-automatic mode. They were chambered for the then-new 7.92x33mm Kurz round, and were intended to replace the MP40 SMG and 98k rifles. The goal was to provide the German soldier a shorter/lighter cartridge, that still had a greater effective range than the MP40s but with a higher rate of fire than the standard K98 rifle. They were manufactured with wartime expedient manufacturing techniques, such as a sheet-metal stamped receiver and trigger housing with minimal machined parts. They also used a simple slab-sided wooden buttstock and the bakelite pistol grip panels. The original serial number "3953m" is stamped on the left side of the magazine housing with "MP44" stamped on the upper side. It is complete with two original MP44 magazines and one scarce early "Mkb42" magazine and a WWII canvas magazine pouch and a stripper clip guide in the butt trap.

Fine with 50% plus of the blue finish remaining overall with general even blue loss overall with slightly more wear on the exposed upper area of the metal handguard. The refinished buttstock is in good condition overall showing minimal handling marks that has been heavily revarnished. It appears the chamber area of the possibly replaced barrel at one time was welded/plugged shut, and then it was rechambered by removing the welded area. The barrel retaining pin also shows signs of having been removed. 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 subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478.