This is an outstanding example of an extremely rare, all original and unaltered WWII Nazi STG44 (SturmGewehr 44) assault rifle with all matching numbers that is complete with original matching patina Stg44 and waffenmarked magazine. Ownership of this rifle will be the second since 1968 ATF amnesty filing. This machine gun has never been used as a gun store rental. Owner just recently test fired it with current production Kurz ammo (see video).
History: The STG44 select fire rifle was a continuation of the MP44 series of weapons which was designed for mass production using several stamped sheet and welded steel parts. This series of assault rifle was developed to give the German soldier more fire power by using the shorter/lighter 7.92X33 mm Kurz cartridge in a 30-round magazine with select fire capability. The 7.92X33mm cartridge provides far more power and greater range than the standard 9 mm SMG round as used in the MP40 series of SMGs. The MP44/STG44 series of rifles is considered to be the father of the modern assault rifle concept/design and was the basis of the later Russian AK series of weapons.
This specific example is a very late production model, manufactured in January-March 1945. The left side of the receiver is marked "1862/45" (45 indicating the year of manufacture) with the upper portion stamped with the prominent "STG 44" markings. The underside of the receiver and ejector rod are stamped with the clear "fxo" which was the wartime manufacturers code for the "Haenel" factory, the original rifle developer and manufacturer of the largest the MP/Stg series rifle population. Also visible are the Waffenamt proof, the factory firing proof and the Waffenamt (Weapons Office) proofmark, assigned to the Haenel factory. The bolt is also stamped "fxo" (Haenel factory) on the bright bolt carrier along with matching serial number. The finish on this rifle is a combination of late war green-gray phosphate finish mixed with the late war blue parts. The stock is laminated Beech and contains an operator’s manual and take down tool in the butt trap. This excellent assault rifle is complete with the original magazine and a spare, 30 round gray-phosphate magazine, that is marked on the sides: "tbv" and "Stg44" on the reverse side.
Video of operation: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ajlj5pf32zy8qdh/Stg44%20full%20auto%20gun%20range.mov?dl=0
Additional detail photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lnx6eoq05wv44gk/AAAlvoQYC3ywOfPKJS710s3Ma?dl=0
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