An Mp44 authenticity debate... Sturmgewehr 44 (StG44) / Maschinenpistole 44 (MP44)

[makisraf]

Hello!
i would need the help of all the experts out there on an mp44.

My first impression is that this is a reissued Czech or Norwegian army...
and that is was re-blued at some point in time... It looks too perfect for 70year item... Been wondering what should i change to make it as original as it can be.

Please take a look at the photos and i ll be waiting for your feedback..

Thank you All for your time!
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[Honor]

Congrats! it is a great gun and in very good condition, but I guess if it has been re-blued there is really nothing you can do about that, still it looks great IMO I wouldn't be suffering much from it, more important it is original and complete, I would be happy with it if you ask me and believe me I don't like any reproductions in my collection, cheers

[cossack1648]

Nice piece.

Jack

[bodes]

It can only be all original once.....And since that is no longer the case, undoing what was done, will not return it back to being untouched....Enjoy it for what it is, a nice looking MP44....Bodes

[pitfighter]

Nice - piston face doesn't look like it's ever taken a blast of gas.
I wish mine was as undented and pretty looking.
Is it an East German refurbish (the serial on the stock)?

[BrunoH]

Hi,
The serial on the stock is the same as on the other parts of the MP.
Seems to have been stored with care.
If it had been reused by East German, it may have a X on the serial ID (normally encountered)...
Seems to be a very nice MP.
Regards

[pitfighter]

I agree it does not look refurbished just unused -
The bottom part of the trunion looks unused, very clean.
As do the grip internals.
(One of mine has a clean hammer face, the other is worn pretty badly.)

Incidently - I have two Haenel MP44's both X block (4000 approx apart), one has the serial stamped under the stock, the other does not - the stocks are identical, machining wise.
Although the one with the number looks like it has has a coat of paint/finish on it, like yours - the un-numbered stock, does not have the colored finish.

The ejector and op rod have a reddish chemical color to them, covering the worn points, I have this on a replacement op-rod, I presumed it was a refurb, could be how it left the arsenal I guess.
Would be great to know from and expert - I just ordered myself every book I could find on this system for Xmas

Stock numbers - unnumbered factory? or numbered and varnished factory?


See reddish areas over worn points "refurb" or "factory finish" ?


What I am learning is that as the war went on, mistakes and carelessness was born of necessity.
My receiver and ferrule have a serial number one digit different to the pistol grip, I asked Claus E. About this, he said it happened frequently towards the end of the war.

[DaveR]

it does look reworked at some point. look at picture #9. the pic after the back of the grips. the serial number is stamped in over old stampings that were punched and hammered out. you can see the remains of 2 X's to the right of the serial number, followed by some other numbers that are barely visible. not sure what it means, but its what I see.

[makisraf]

Thank you all for your comments!
Indeed the metal parts are in super nice condition..

I would think it was reissued since the stock is varnished and serial is stamped under it. Also the internal screws on the stock metal part where cross screws and the 4 others where almost all different slot screws.

Also the metal part of the stock shows it has been hammered and X 'ed the old serial and restamped the serial of the receiver... As Dave mentions.

I would suspect the stock and the metal parts for the oiler and lower plate are post war.

But again more discussion on the subject would be helpfull.

[k98]

My opinion

For me the main body is original blued and full original matching, even the iron sight is numbered!, sadly the barrel has been removed, and its retaining pin is not the original!

Did the bolt has the serial number?, the gas piston wears another serial number so it's not its original one...

The stock is forced matching, and the wood seems modern, but it could be original but reworked!

Seems an reused mp44 for who????