MP43 question ..

[Winkelman]

Please take a look at this deactivated MP43 , I just noticed something odd ;

in almost all pictures I can find of them ( be it MP43 , MP44 or Stg.44 ) , the stamped metal HANDGUARD has 4 holes on the left hand side , and 5 on the right .

This one ( marked cof ) has 5 holes on both sides , and I can't find a similar one anywhere .

Is this just a production variant , or .. ?

I am going to assume that all parts have been refinished , but I would like them to be authentic to the period .

Thanks for all help .. !

[Winkelman]

Marking " cof " :

[bmg17a1]

I have "ajr" marked forearms with both hole patterns and have seen "cof" with both patterns as well. The cof seem far less common in my experience. Many MPS have come through my shop for reactivations, repairs, restoration, etc, probably close to a hundred after forty years. Odd variations show up from what is considered "standard", although the MPs seem to have fewer odd variations than most other types of auto rifles and SMGs. FWIW

[Winkelman]

That is good to hear , thank you very much .. !

I will take some pics of the barrel tomorrow , with some small markings I don't understand , one is also right next to the serial number = " BNP " with a crown ?

Would this be for an earlier deactivation , or postwar reuse .. ?

[Leper]

BNP is just a brutish proof house stamp. Either for deactivating or for live rifles. Just something they have to do.

[Petroleum 1]

The haenel MP43 i own has 5 and 4 holes on the hand guard.

[AndyB]

nice one cof - Carl Eickhorn who produced mainly bayonets S84/98 and S42.
b.r.Andy

[Winkelman]

Picture of the barrel markings ( cut open & welded to reciever ) ;

Are the crossed swords to the right an old British marking for deactivation ? ?

I know I've seen them once before on an MG34 , just wondered since it also has the ( very recent ) EU deactivation markings in another place ..

[Leper]

Picture of the barrel markings ( cut open & welded to reciever ) ;

Are the crossed swords to the right an old British marking for deactivation ? ?

I know I've seen them once before on an MG34 , just wondered since it also has the ( very recent ) EU deactivation markings in another place ..

No this is a live fire proof on the bbl.

[Winkelman]

Sorry , I am not familiar with the term " bbl " ?
Does it mean the gun had a live firing license in the UK - before being deactivated ?

[Petroleum 1]

I believe bbl is an abbreviation for barrel.

[Leper]

Sorry , I am not familiar with the term " bbl " ?
Does it mean the gun had a live firing license in the UK - before being deactivated ?

Yes.

[Alan Smith]

Not sure exactly what to say about your "cof" manufactured hand guard but, per bmg17a1's observations, my assumption would be that the 5/5 holes configuration is simply a design variant (albeit observed much less often than the 4/5 holes version).


I have an MP43/1 that I believe (based on the known history of the gun) has its original forearm on it. As shown in the below photos, its hand guard is the 4/5 holes variant and has a maker code that appears to be "aqr".

[bmg17a1]

Correction to my post below: stamp ID should be "aqr", not "ajr". Not sure what happened there.....

[Petroleum 1]

My MP43 hand guard is aqr too.