Original German WWII 1943 Dated MP 40 Display Gun by ERMA with Recoil Assembly & Magazine – Partial Matching Serial 5569n Original Items

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This is an excellent condition MP40 Maschinenpistole 40 display gun, built from an original parts set and constructed on an original BATF compliant non-firing display receiver, making this a 100% legal display machine gun. This receiver was created by using portions of the original torch cut receiver, including the barrel bushing, combined with some new made steel portions. It has properly had a 25% section of the total length completely replaced entirely with solid steel bar stock. Meaning a 1/4 length section of the display receiver is solid steel, making this totally legal to own without a license of any kind.

Offered with exceptional original dark brown / black bakelite stock and grips, this is the real thing that will only appreciate in value over time. The extending butt stock is present and fully functional. The inert display receiver has an original working bolt handle / safety attached to the right side of the solid steel portion. The barrel is original and has not been deactivated, however there is what looks to be some glue stuck in the bore, probably from a red painted wooden rod placed inside when it was a mockup. Otherwise it does show clear rifling, though it definitely is worn. The original recoil assembly with firing pin is also included, though the bolt head was not included with the kit. Original markings have been maintained and make a keystone item for any serious WWII collection.

The rear receiver cup of this display gun is marked with the model and manufacture codes:

MP40
ayf 43

This indicates 1943 manufacture by ERMA-Erfurter Maschinenfabrik B Geipel GmbH, Erfurt, the company that developed the MP38 and MP40. Interestingly, the date marking looks like it may have originally read “42”, so it may have been made right around change of year. The rear receiver cup is marked with serial number 5569n, and is marked next to this with contractor marking cos, for Merz-Werke Gebr. Merz, in Frankfurt am Main, Rheinland. This maker manufactured many small arms components during the war, as well as complete guns. It is also marked with Waffent WaA44, often associated with Auto-Union, but also seen on parts made by Merz-werke. The left side of the end portion by the sling slot is marked with the Waffenamt WaA254, a known stamp appearing on ERMA made MP 40s. There are also other markings and Waffenamt proofs throughout the display gun.

This display gun was made with a Partially Matching parts set, with serial number 5569 n also marked on the barrel and trigger group, and shortened number 569 marked on the barrel nut, and both sides of the fold-out rear stock. It is also marked on the included recoil assembly. The trigger and barrel are both marked with Waffenamt Eagle/280, usually associated with ERMA.

The side of the barrel bushing is marked with a different number, 524, which is also seen on the front sight base, on the left side of the early flat-sided magazine well, and on the front sling swivel. It looks like the parts set was made using a gun that was made by combining two guns, very common during the war. There are some VERY early markings on the bottom of the receiver, including a 1940 date, a maker logo, and multiple different Waffenamt markings. There is loads of research potential with all the markings on this lovely example!

Included is an original MP 40 magazine, which looks to be an unmarked post war manufactured example. It is somewhat dented, and due to deformation of the magazine well, it takes quite a bit of wiggling back and forth to get it seated and locked in. Magazine will have the spring and follower removed if shipped to a state that prohibits high capacity magazines.

A great chance to pick up a very great MP40 display gun with some fantastic markings and history! We rarely seem them this nice! Ready to display!

History of the MP40

The Maschinenpistole 40 (“Machine pistol 40”) descended from its predecessor the MP 38, which was in turn based on the MP 36, a prototype made of machined steel. The MP 36 was developed independently by Erma Werke’s Berthold Geipel with funding from the German Army. It took design elements from Heinrich Vollmer’s VPM 1930 and EMP. Vollmer then worked on Berthold Geipel’s MP 36 and in 1938 submitted a prototype to answer a request from the Heereswaffenamt (Army Weapons Office) for a new submachine gun, which was adopted as MP 38. The MP 38 was a simplification of the MP 36, and the MP 40 was a further simplification of the MP 38, with certain cost-saving alterations, most notably in the more extensive use of stamped steel rather than machined parts.

It was heavily used by infantrymen (particularly platoon and squad leaders), and by paratroopers, on the Eastern and Western Fronts. Its advanced and modern features made it a favorite among soldiers and popular in countries from various parts of the world after the war. It was often erroneously called “Schmeisser” by the Allies, despite Hugo Schmeisser’s non-involvement in the weapon’s design and production. From 1940 to 1945, an estimated 1.1 million were produced by Erma Werke.