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Spectacular Highly Desirable Fully Automatic Class III/NFA World War II Nazi MG-42 Medium Machine Gu

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:20,000.00 USD Estimated At:40,000.00 - 60,000.00 USD
Spectacular Highly Desirable Fully Automatic Class III/NFA World War II Nazi MG-42 Medium Machine Gu
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Spectacular Highly Desirable Fully Automatic Class III/NFA World War II Nazi MG-42 Medium Machine Gun with Anti-Aircraft Mount, Original Optical Sight, Field Tools, Drum Magazine and Original Field Manual

This is a very fine example of an original WWII German MG42 light machine gun. Due to their astonishingly high cyclic rate of fire, (of over 1200 rounds per minute) many Gis, termed them, “Hitler’s Buzz Saw” and were probably the most feared German weapon on the battlefield during WWII. The MG42 was actually an improvement over the early MG34 (which used all fully machined and hand fitted parts and assemblies) in that the MG42 used the new manufacturing techniques as the MP43/44 assault rifles such as stamped steel parts that were welded or riveted together that was combined with limited machined parts. They were mass produced and highly effective that allowed the German factories to manufacture well over 400,000 before the end of the war. They were easily transported by every German soldier and they were the corner stone of every German Infantry company. They proved to be so effective during WWII that after the war the U.S. Army tested the design and later copied much of it during the development of the M-60 machine gun in the early 1960s. This weapon had several innovative features, beyond the manufacturing techniques, such as a new delayed roller-block locking system and the quick change barrel. This last feature was so important as it allowed the machine gunner to rapidly change out a hot barrel during battle without any tools. This extended and preserved the barrel life and also prevented cook-offs. These features were years ahead of anything that the allies had. These unique weapons were made by four primary companies, Mauser, Maget of Berlin, Gustloff-Werkes, and Steyr, with this example being made by “Maget”. The left side of the receiver is marked "NC/MG 42/6264g/cra” the war time code for the Maget factory. The complete receiver was made from three different sections; a stamped steel back section; a perforated barrel jacket with both welded/mated to the machined center section, top cover support, with riveted bolt rails inside the receiver. It has a stamped top cover with stamped internal components and parts. The complete bolt and barrel were made from traditional machined parts, with the buttstock was made from walnut and the pistol grip plates made from bakelite. The machined top cover center support has an unreadable war time code with a Waffenamt proof on top. The stamped top cover does not carry a wartime code and is only stamped with a "Eagle/WaA14". The machine gun has the correct WWII barrel that is marked on the extension and side of the barrel with “cra/5” indicating manufacture by the Maget Werks and is numbered “59940”. Most of the various parts carry some kind of a German WWII Waffenamt proof. It has the original folding front sight and tangent rear marked 2-20, (200-2,000 meters). It has an earlier unmarked wooden buttstock. This wonderful MG is complete with an original Optical Sight and metal storage/carrying case for the MG 42. The sight is marked on the side of the body; “cme/281138”; one MG34 drum/basket magazine, an original WWII, folding tripod mount, that is marked on the side “cq/1/42” (wartime code for the Warz. U. Co., in Zella-Mehlis, Thuringia), which includes an anti-aircraft sight and adapter/extension rod, a field kit that includes an oiler, barrel/MG wrenches, ruptured shell extractor etc. all contained in dark leather pouch and an original WWII German field manual for the MG42. The manual is marked “Ausbildungsvorschrift/fur das/MG.42/15.9.44”.

Manufacture: German
Model: MG42
BBL: 25" round
Stock: wood
Gauge: 8x57
Finish: blue/phosphate
Grips: bakelite
Serial Number: 6264g

Very fine condition overall with 70% plus of the original blue finish, mostly on the top cover and protected areas with the balance of the weapon turning a medium brown patina. The finish is thinning overall and is mixed with a gray patina on the edges and high spots, all from actual wartime use and firing. The pistol grips are in very fine condition with light handling marks, pressure dents, while the buttstock is in fine condition showing a darker color, mixed with heavier pressure dents and gouges from heavier use during the war. This scarce WWII machine gun is fully operational never having been altered or dewatted and is certainly a primary piece in an advanced WWII machine gun collection. NOTE: This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA), Fully Automatic Weapon that is currently registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (BATF&E) that has been 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. Before bidding on this item, it is the sole responsibility and obligation of the bidder/Class 3 FFL holder to understand and comply with all the State and Federal transfer laws and restrictions that apply in their current place of residence.