This is an attractive, exceptional example of a German MP40 submachine gun. A refined and streamlined successor to the MP38, the MP40 made extensive use of metal stampings and synthetic materials to make a weapon robust enough to withstand the stress of war while being simple enough to manufacture to keep up with the demand. Nearly every armed branch and paramilitary organization in Germany made use of the MP40, and many also found their way into the hands of opposition forces such as the French Resistance and Poland's Home Army, making it one of the signature weapons of the war. "43/cos" (Merz Brothers) marked on the underside of the receiver tube and "MP40/660/40/1784/d" (Steyr) marked on the rear receiver end cap. Matching full and partial serial numbers visible on the front sight hood, barrel, barrel resting bar, receiver tube, rear receiver end cap, underside of the trigger housing and underfolding shoulder stock. "351" handmarked on the barrel nut, "486" marked on the firing pin, and unnumbered bolt housing. Waffenamt proofs on various components. Fitted with a set of brown bakelite side panels and an underfolding stock. Included with the lot are two extra magazines and an "agp43" marked loading tool.