Intresting MP-43

[16225]

I have a relic MP-43. But at the left side of the frame there is no MP43 (or MP44) marking .
Serial is 1xxx b\44. It is in MP43 number ranges, so i called this Maschinenpistole as MP43. It is produced by Haenel
Of course there is possibility that marking could disappear during those time when it was in ground, but i dont belive in that. Even the smallest markings on the reciever (WaA44, "37" twice, cos and fxo codes, eagle) could be easily seen. Serial number marking also in good condition. But there is no even remains of marking on the frame.
I could post photos of the frame from another angle.
Any opinions?
Also barrel number is not the same as the frame - it is 207b. This gun was lost on june-july 1944, so I don't think that during near 5 months when it was used it required barrel replacement
Is there any explanations to it?

[k98]

possible explanation

The change of the name from MP43 to MP44 took place around march or april of 1944, so as the germans normally reset the production to zero every begining of the year to start again from 1 to 9999, then 1a to 9999a, etc ( maybe I'm wrong in the number of guns of every block I'm not sure ).
So as your mp has b block maybe it was produced during february or march or 1944 just before the change of of the name of the gun, and found this mp already finished and for the necessity of war it was shipped just to no lose time.

The barrel hasn't been replaced it's ihis own, the number on the barrel, is an barrel lot, and I'm curious how many parts are serialized?, could you post photos of them please?.

I hope this helps you

[16225]

At first I also think that it was produced in that period when model name was changed from MP43 to MP44. But we could see guns marked with MP43 in c,d,e,g,h series, so they were produced later.
Here you could check this information
http://claus.espeholt.dk/mediearkiv/m44_c.pdf
Also I have no information about numbers on other parts. When it came to me, it looked not the same as now. There was only frame (reciever) with barrel, gas tube, gas block, and foresight. Other parts were missing - so serial was only on 2 parts (reciever and barrel)

[dect]

I have seen it once before, a receiver without model stamp. However it was very late, simplified one so I think one can blame the rush when everything had to be delivered to the front as quick as possible.

@ k98

Why do you think that barrel was not replaced? I don't really understand that part

The barrel hasn't been replaced it's ihis own, the number on the barrel, is an barrel lot,

Regards

[k98]

At first I also think that it was produced in that period when model name was changed from MP43 to MP44. But we could see guns marked with MP43 in c,d,e,g,h series, so they were produced later.
Here you could check this information
http://claus.espeholt.dk/mediearkiv/m44_c.pdf
Also I have no information about numbers on other parts. When it came to me, it looked not the same as now. There was only frame (reciever) with barrel, gas tube, gas block, and foresight. Other parts were missing - so serial was only on 2 parts (reciever and barrel)

You are right, and you could only speculate now, if the mp43 serial numbers arrive until the h or k in 1944, I don't remember the rate of mps produced every month (10.000 every block) but they are not far from the b block I mean maybe just two months, so maybe your mp was taken apart from the production chain for "x", and when comes the final inspection for it was the time of the name change, well is just an possible explanation, the germans were not perfect, also there was the sabotage too, who knows.

Look at my stg44, similar case, it happens that it was in production when comes the name change for stg, look at the photo, also his serial number was changed.

Sorry for my english sometimes the traduction is not perfect, but i hope that you understands me.

[k98]

Barrel

k98

Why do you think that barrel was not replaced? I don't really understand that part



Regards[/quote]

The barrel hasn´t been changed because to remove it you must remove first the barrel pin which it isn't as seen in the photos.

Here you have an example of numbers on the barrels they usually has the letter in mayuscules. This same serial number is on others Mp44 assembled by the same factory.

[16225]

Barrel has the same style marking as yours. Also you could see that it looks that pin was't removed.

[k98]

Thanks for the photos

Your rifle was assmebled at haenel fabrik, as mine.

thanks for sharing this details on your photos.

And yes your barrel hasn't been changed ever.