The MP-40 SMGs were highly prized as war trophies during WWII and are even more desirable today, with this example manufactured in 1942, by the Steyr factory. Historically these have been called a "Schmeisser" due to the Allies misconceptions of the origins of the design; however, they were actually identified by the Germans as a "Machine Pistol" hence the "MP" model designation based on the fact that they fired a 9mm Parabellum cartridge. 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. These weapons were widely used throughout all of WWII by all German forces with over 1 million MP-40s to be produced before the end of the war. This is an early production model that is marked on the rear receiver cap: "MP 40/bnz/42". It has the standard stamped sheet metal receiver with the later ribbed magazine housing with the machined bolt and barrel assembly. The major components are all stamped with the main serial number (55g) with the various other smaller parts stamped with a derivative of that like "55". It is fitted with the traditional dark red bakelite grips and lower receiver cover. This MP40 is complete with one original WWII MP40 type 30 round magazine that is marked "MP 38 u40".