This is a good example of a WWII MP-40 submachine gun manufactured by the Steyr factory. The MP-40 SMGs were highly prized as war trophies during WWII and are even more desirable today and are probably the most sought-after WWII SMGs ever offered for sale. They were widely used throughout WWII by German forces, so much so that if you look at any picture or news reel footage from WWII you will probably see someone using an MP-40. They were lightweight, accurate, and easy to point and shoot making them an ideal weapon to carry throughout the war. They are a blow-back weapon that fires from an open bolt at a cyclic rate of approximately 500 rpm. They were produced by three primary companies (Steyr, Erma, and C. G. Haenel) from 1940 through late 1945. They used numerous subcontracted parts to help speed up production, allowing over 1 million MP-40s to be produced before the end of the war. This example was produced in 1942 by the Steyr factory and is marked on the rear receiver cap with: "MP 40/bnz 41". It has the standard stamped sheet metal receiver and ribbed magazine housing with the machined bolt having a replacement charging handle. It is a completely matching SMG including the firing pin assembly. The major components are stamped with the main serial number "8711" with the various other smaller parts stamped with a derivative of that like "711". It is fitted with the traditional dark red bakelite grips and lower receiver cover. This MP40 is complete with a "98e/41" marked MP38u40 magazine. Typically, these have been called a "Schmeisser" due to the allies misconceptions of the origins of the design; however, they are actually called a "Machine Pistol" hence the "MP" model designation based on the fact that they fired a 9mm Parabellum cartridge.