MP-28 with E/37 Haenel Proof

[Alan Smith]

Guys,

Just this week I closed a deal to purchase an MP-28 SMG (something I've been looking to acquire for a number of years). Now all I have to do is effect the NFA transfer process so I can take possession.

The MP-28 I am purchasing is an Early Nazi military/police contract gun that has German commercial proofs on it plus the Waffenampt "Eagle over 37" proof that was assigned to Haenel (the gun's manufacturer).

I'm trying to nail down the probable time frame of manufacture for the MP-28 I am purchasing. My gun-to-be is #16177 and has the "Crown over N" commercial proofs, in addition to the Eagle/37 proof. Unfortunately, I don't yet have digital photos of my gun-to-be (I only have hard copies the seller provided)

Enclosed is a photo of a very similar MP-28, #17661. This gun is identical to mine, other than it has "Eagle over N" commerical proofs in the same positions as my gun has the C/N proofs. My understanding is that the E/N proofs indicate post-January, 1940 production. On the attached photo, the Eagle 37 proof is located on gun #17661's magazine well housing, just below the end of the serial number. My gun-to-be has the same E/37 proof in the same location.

Does anyone know how early Haenel began to use the E/37 proof? Does anyone have any opinions as to when MP-28's #16177 and #17661 were produced by Haenel?

I am guessing 1938 or 1939 as the production date for gun #16177, on the assumption that the gun pictured (#17661) was likely produced in 1940. My basis for the assumption of a 1940 productio date for #17661 is the switch from C/N to E/N that is evidenced by these two guns that are some 1,500 numbers apart in the production sequence, coupled with my belief that MP-28 production ended in 1940 due to the production of MP-38's (and then MP-40's) getting into full swing at that time.

I would appreciate any opinions on this matter.

Thanks,

Alan

[Alan Smith]

Also, I fogot to mention that the "Little Red Book" about SS issued PPK pistols has a section at the end, where the authors list the SN's of some non-PPK guns that were found listed in the SS gun issue records that are on microflim in the US National Archives.

These records list two (2) MP-28 SMG's as being issued to members of the SS. From memory, I think that one gun was in the 17K range and the other gun was in the 26K range. One of the MP-28's was issued to, of all people, an SS general. One has to wonder why an SS general would want a smg . . . . maybe something to "stick back" for later use just in case the situation on the ground got really bad (as we know it did).

I'll try to remember tonight to pull my "Little Red Book" at home and get the exact SN's and dates of issue for the SS MP-28's.

Based on observed serial numbers, WaA acceptance stamps, and probable time of production, I am beginning to suspect that the MP-28's used by the SS (as documented in period photos) were likely from the same production run (or awfully close to it) as the gun I have purchased and the one shown in the above post.

Of course, the MP-28's were also used by the regular German army guys (as documented in period photos), so like any other WaA accepted firearm, there is probably no way to know for certain if a particular MP-28 was used by the SS (other than the two guns listed by SN in the archived records).

As with the other questions above, any thoughts/comments are appreciated.

[Alan Smith]

If anyone is interested, according to "SS Walther PP/PPK 1939-1944" by Joachim Gortz and Dieter H. Marschall, the following MP-28's are documented in the records of the Reich Security Main Office ("RHSA"):

MP-28 #19530: Issued to "SS-Gruppenfurher" (Lieutenant General) Heinrich Muller on September 21, 1942. Muller was head of RSHA Department IV. As detailed in the book, Section IV's responsibilities were "investigation and enemy control", better known as the "Gestapo". So, it looks like the head of the Gestapo had his very own MP-28.

MP-28 #26443: Issued to "Kriminalsekretar" (Junior Detective) Waldemar Nestler on October 17, 1944. Nestler was assigned to RSHA Department II C 4 which dealt with the "economy". Interestingly, on this very same day another member of the same RSHA Department, Franz Metzger, drew an MP-41 (#26157).

[kompanie]

Im sorry i dont have any opinions on this matter but i sure as hell would like to see some more pics when it arrives