Originally designed by Carl Swebilius of High Standard, the M42 was intended as a competitor for the Thompson SMG for police and military contracts. It was one of the last generation of "heavy metal" SMGs as it used machined steel and polished wood much like the Thompson but with a more streamlined design that was easier to takedown. Due to a massive U.S. order for M2 machine guns, High Standard sold the design to the United Defense Supply Corporation, a private British run purchasing commission, and contracted with the Marlin Company to actually manufacture these weapons. Hundreds were originally purchased by the Dutch. A large quantity of M42s were left in the warehouse when the Netherlands fell to the Nazis. The Office of Strategic Services and the U.S. Navy took interest in the surplus weapons, dropping them in occupied territories and also funneled hundreds to the nationalist and communist Chinese for their fight against the Japanese. It was noted as being vulnerable to sand and mud unless cleaned and diligently maintained; however, it was more accurate out to 100 yards than most other SMGs. It has a fixed blade front and windage/elevation adjustable rear sights. The left side of the trigger housing has a three-line address and model markings, and a three-position selector ("SEMI-AUTO", "->SAFE<-" and "AUTO") is on the right side. Contoured front pistol grip and smooth buttstock with a trapdoor buttplate. It has matching numbers on the receiver and lower trigger housing. This example was owned by the City of Berkeley Missouri Police Dept as there is a small decal affixed to the right side of the buttstock, and the left side of the trigger housing is etched with "BPDW12" property mark. Included with the lot are three total 20 round stick magazines and a Vietnam era web sling.

Very fine with 85% plus of the original wartime parkerized finish overall and the top of the receiver and barrel areas showing finish loss from handing and light firing over the years. The wood components are both in very good condition with a nice dark brown color overall, and light scratches and handling marks on the sides from use by the police dept. 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.