This is a good example of a scarce WWII era Russian PPD-40 submachine gun as manufactured in circa 1940. This model is actually a forerunners to the later PPSH-41 and PPS-43 SMGs. It has an all blued metal finish with a hardwood stock and forend piece. The major difference between this and the later models is that this used a round steel receiver tube with some machined internal parts such as the barrel and bolt combined with heavy steel stampings. While the later models were almost entirely manufactured from war expedient steel stampings. The center/rear section is fairly heavy which is attached and pinned to the front perforated barrel jacket, that is fitted with a heavy end cap. It has a heavy all steel bolt similar to a STEN gun bolt. The barrel is inserted from the rear of the gun and held in place with a small set screw on the underside of the perforate barrel jacket/receiver tube along with a larger cross pin through the magazine support. The top of the receiver is stamped with a small early Arrow inside a triangle proof mark from the Ishevsk factory/1940 over serial number "551". It is fitted with a hardwood stock and short forend piece, with the stock having a faint "551" serial number under the rear of the end cap and the forend unnumbered. This very scarce model comes with one original 71 round drum magazine with an original canvas sling.

Fine with 50% of the original blue finish overall with even honest blue loss overall with the perforated barrel jacket turning a gray/brown patina. The stock and forend piece are both also in very good condition with a nice light original finish showing numerous handling marks, scratches and light pressure dents overall from actual use. NOTE: This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is classified as a "Curios or Relic" as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478. A very good example of a very scarce early Russian PPD-40 SMG.