Strange symbol on MP44

[MP43SNIPER]

Does anyone know what this symbol is?:

http://www.gk43forum.com/forum/vbpic...?do=big&p=2390

It is on my friend's MP44, and also on mine. They were both manufactured by Erma in '44 and are just under 50 numbers apart. None of my other MP44s or parts kits have this symbol, and I haven't seen it on any others either. It resembles either the letter M or the number 3.

Thanks for any help.
Craig

[captainhoot]

Craig.

It's the sign of the DEVIL, I tell you !!! Germanic = 666
The only way to stop this Demonic possesion is to send everything to
me, right away !!!

Thats' a new one on me. I'll have to look on mine and look in some reference books. Do you need my shipping address, though???
Where, exactly, has the DEVIL marked your weapon ???

-Captainhoot

[Time Bandit]

I ain't got that one but mine has a '+' and an '=' sign? Not totally sure who made my MP44 though as it has three different WaA numbers and two different codes all on the same bit of metal....

Above the trigger it is WaA21 which is for Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik A.G., Geislingen-Steige, Baden-Württemberg

Underneath at the front where they are usually marked it has

bnz & the WaA623 for Steyr-Daimler-Puch A.G., Werk Steyr, Österreich

and

qlv & eagle/280 for Erma, Erfurter Maschinenfabrik Berthold Geipel GmbH, Erfurt, Thüringen

Its serial number is 751dd.

So I ain't got a clue if it's an Erma gun or a Steyr Daimler Puch gun?





I can't say I've really took much notice but maybe the '+' and '=' are normal markings?

[dect]

I ain't got that one but mine has a '+' and an '=' sign? Not totally sure who made my MP44 though as it has three different WaA numbers and two different codes all on the same bit of metal....

Above the trigger it is WaA21 which is for Württembergische Metallwarenfabrik A.G., Geislingen-Steige, Baden-Württemberg

Underneath at the front where they are usually marked it has

bnz & the WaA623 for Steyr-Daimler-Puch A.G., Werk Steyr, Österreich

and

qlv & eagle/280 for Erma, Erfurter Maschinenfabrik Berthold Geipel GmbH, Erfurt, Thüringen

Its serial number is 751dd.

So I ain't got a clue if it's an Erma gun or a Steyr Daimler Puch gun?

I can't say I've really took much notice but maybe the '+' and '=' are normal markings?

If you're sure that this is Erma rifle I think the only reasonable explanation is that Erma built it using 'bnz' parts (Steyr was a subcontractor)

Regards
Jacek

[Admiraal]

Isn't the "+" a Russian capture mark?

[MikeW]

Looks like this to me, CZ Brno

[Frogprince]

It does not look to me like CZ factory markings from either Ceskoslovenská Zbrojovka Brno or Bystrica. It does have more than a passing resemblance (IMO) to Romanian arsenal marks that are seen on a number of items that were used there both before and after the war.

Romania was a co-belligerent along with Germany during WW II. And not only received weapons from German or German controlled sources. But had large stocks of ex-German and other arms after they parted company. With perhaps the bulk of the leftover arms being used as is, and in many cases recycled by the Romanians. Until the Romanians eventually upgraded to more modern weapons exporting the old ones. FP

[Time Bandit]

Isn't the "+" a Russian capture mark?

No, it's not a Russian capture 'X' it's an actual 'plus' (+) sign with an 'equals' (=) sign just along from it? Maybe some sort of alignment marks or something?

[Time Bandit]

If you're sure that this is Erma rifle I think the only reasonable explanation is that Erma built it using 'bnz' parts (Steyr was a subcontractor)

Regards
Jacek

To be honest I've no idea what it is though I guess Erma built with 'bnz' parts is probably the best explanation? The barrel is also stamped qlv but it might not be the original one? I took the handguard of it there there is also a couple of strange marks there too where the barrel joins into the reciever - one looks a bit like an asterix but it's difficult to say and the other is really weird looks a bit like a monogram of some description??? Possibly a 'K'...??
I've tried taking a picture but it's dark here now and the flash is too strong at close range so the pics are crap but I'll try again in daylight tomorrow.

Meanwhile here are the 'bnz' and 'qlv' marks



I've looked all over it and can't see anything looking like the markings shown in the original picture though?

[MP43SNIPER]

Thank you for the replies so far. Although the Romanian stamp makes sense, I looked at mine again and the bluing appears to have been done after the stamp was made and the same can be said for my friend's. I also think that the history of his rifle prevents any other countries possessing it besides the fatherland and the good ole USA.

[MP43SNIPER]

Mike, could you please post a photo of your barrel stamp? I would like to find a qlv barrel for mine. I'll settle for seeing a pic or two of yours for now.

Thanks in advance,
Craig

[P08]

I've seen it in my German version of BBOTW. Described as an unknown maker mark.

[dect]

To be honest I've no idea what it is though I guess Erma built with 'bnz' parts is probably the best explanation? The barrel is also stamped qlv but it might not be the original one?

What do you mean "not original"? Barrel markings don't have to match one's on the reciever.

[Time Bandit]

What do you mean "not original"? Barrel markings don't have to match one's on the reciever.

The gun don't have matching numbers so it's obviously had parts of other guns used on it at some point so I don't know 100% if the barrel is original to the gun from when it came from the factory or if it has been changed at some point in its life?
Probably is the original factory fitted one but I can't say that definately...

[Time Bandit]

Mike, could you please post a photo of your barrel stamp? I would like to find a qlv barrel for mine. I'll settle for seeing a pic or two of yours for now.

Thanks in advance,
Craig

No problem I'll see if I have any on the hard drive, if not I'll take a picture later.

Mind you....you ain't gonna like it....the gun is a deact (oh the joys of living in the UK) and the barrel has been 'slotted'...