World War II German "cos" (Gebruder Merz) MP43 Sturmgewehr Selective Fire Rifle, Class III/NFA C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun, with Accessories
A landmark World War II collectible, this 1944 German MP43 Sturmgewehr represents one of the most historically important infantry rifle designs ever fielded: the first successful intermediate-caliber selective-fire rifle and the direct ancestor of the modern assault rifle concept.
- Manufactured in 1944 during World War II
- Desirable German MP43 Sturmgewehr assault rifle
- Historically significant as:
- The direct ancestor to H&K’s later roller-locked military rifles and submachine guns
- The spiritual forefather of an entire class of modern infantry weapons
- The first intermediate-caliber selective-fire infantry rifle to see field use
- Chambered for 7.92x33mm Kurz:
- A reduced-power intermediate cartridge designed to improve control in fully automatic fire
- Offered more range and striking power than pistol-caliber submachine guns
- Provided a lighter combat load per round than full-power bolt-action rifle ammunition
- Particularly well suited to the close-range demands of urban combat while still retaining field reach
- Wartime production design:
- Made extensive use of stamped-metal components
- Stamped construction helped reduce weight and speed up production during wartime manufacturing
- Sights:
- Blade front sight
- Tangent rear sight
- Receiver and markings:
- “MP43” marked on the left side of the receiver
- Serial number and “44” production date marked on the left side of the magazine well
- “cos” and “fxo” maker’s marks present on the underside of the receiver
- Proofs and numbered components:
- Individual components show a mix of Waffenamt military inspection proofs
- Matching number present on the butt socket
- Matching number present on the trigger housing
- Matching number present on the bolt carrier
- Butt socket suffix is faint and appears possibly to be either “d” or “a”
- Furniture and exterior features:
- Custom replacement forearm
- Forearm is ventilated on the underside
- Forearm is secured with a pair of metal straps
- Pair of ribbed pistol grips
- Fixed buttstock
- Buttstock has iron strap reinforcement at both the toe and heel
- Brown leather sling included
- Included accessories and ammunition:
- Four total magazines
- Approximately 72 boxes of 7.92mm Kurz ammunition
- Ammunition is a mix of modern and vintage
- Box contents include a mix of live rounds and spent casings
- Some ammunition boxes are partial
- Hardwood ammunition crate
- Metal ammunition can
- Pelican-brand hard case
- Collector appeal:
- An iconic WWII German small arm with major historical importance
- Highly desirable MP43 configuration tied directly to the development of the Sturmgewehr family
- Strong provenance value through visible wartime markings, Waffenamt proofs, and dated 1944 production
- Added display and collector value from the included magazines, ammunition, ammunition crate, ammo can, sling, and hard case
Very good, with 40% of the original blue finish, showing areas of brown patina, edge wear, and scattered spotting and scratches. The furniture is fair, with some repairs to the forearm and mild scuffs and dents. Mechanically excellent. Accessories are fine; the contents of the individual ammunition boxes have not been inventoried. 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 479.
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