Manufactured in Austria in 1941, this is a fine Steyr MP-40 submachine gun. A refined and streamlined successor to the MP-38, the MP-40 made extensive use of metal stampings and synthetic materials to make a weapon robust enough to withstand the stress of war while being simple enough to manufacture to keep up with the demand. Nearly every armed branch and paramilitary organization in Germany made use of the MP-40, and many also found their way into the hands of opposition forces such as the French Resistance and Poland's Home Army, making it one of the signature weapons of the war. Hooded blade front and two-leaf rear sights, with "MP40/bnz/41" stamped on the rear, and "C.H./I.A.C." on the underside of the receiver just ahead of the magazine well. The trigger group is fitted with a set of dark brown cover and grip panels, as well as a steel under-folding stock. One magazine, marked "ayf 42", is included.

Fine, with 50% of the original blue finish, showing areas of brown and gray patina, abrasion and handling marks, and areas of oxidization. The alloy protective bar on the underside of the barrel is heavily oxidized, and some components (such as the front sight assembly, "450" with the balance of parts ending in "460", and the bolt) have mixed numbers. The bakelite panels show some light scratches and dings, and the buttstock hardware is in fine operating order. Mechanically excellent. NOTE: This weapon is 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. Provenance: Cater Joseph collection.