This is an outstanding example of an extremely rare World War II German (StG) Sturmgewehr assault rifle manufactured with an early prototype sheet metal sniper mount fitted with an early matching "prototype" ZF4 sniper scope. A relatively late development in the European Theater, the Sturmgewehr (translation: "storm rifle" and/or "assault rifle") line of firearms used both an unprecedented amount of stamped sheet metal for an infantry rifle as well as an intermediate power cartridge to increase controllability in automatic fire and reduce overall ammo weight without completely sacrificing striking power at range. The Sturmgewehr would serve as the direct forefather to the CETME/G3 line of firearms, as well as a spiritual forefather to many Cold War infantry weapons. This highly desirable example offered is a late war Mauser manufactured (Mauser Werkes, Oberndorf) StG 44 that was purposely built with a sheet metal sniper scope base. This base is actually a very simple saddle type base, manufactured as a sheet metal stamping that fits on the rear area of the upper receiver. The sides of the mount are spot welded. The base has a machined steel dovetail type mount screwed and hard soldered to the base for use with a standard K43 rifle scope mount and scope. The scope mount is an original unnumbered mount, correctly stamped with a single "eagle/359" Waffenamt on the side with the correct phosphate finished locking lever marked "fest" and "lose". The scope is the real rarity in that it is a purpose built ZF4 sniper scope calibrated specifically for the 7.92x33mm Kurz round. The scope is numbered to match this rifle, indicating that it was very likely Mauser's attempt to manufacture a true dedicated StG 44 sniper rifle platform utilizing a ZF4 scope. The side of the scope is correctly marked "Gw ZF4/71576/ddx" (Voigtlander & Sons manufactured) ahead of a blue triangle and "P Kurz Patr./Nr. 1552", clearly indicating that this scope is calibrated for use with only 7.92x33mm Kurz ammunition as opposed to the standard 7.92x57mm Mauser (8mm) ammunition used in the K43 and K98k rifles. The front left of the receiver is stamped "1552 aj/45" with "StG44" on the upper rear section of the receiver. The underside of the forward portion of the receiver is marked with "fxo" and "byf" codes as well as Waffenamt proofs. There is a small importer's stamping on the upper front left side of the receiver. The stock is the correct laminated version. The rifle has an original phosphate finish on the major portions of the rifle, and the lower section (trigger housing/group) has a blued finish. These are considered to be the first true assault rifles, as they used the intermediate length 7.92x33mm Kurz cartridge, which provided the German soldier with a longer effective range (200-600 meters) than the standard 9mm Luger cartridge used in the MP40, and weighed less when compared with the standard 7.92 mm Mauser cartridge, allowing the German soldier to carry a considerably larger basic load. The MP44/StGs are a marvel of wartime expedient manufacturing techniques using a combination of stamped sheet metal parts welded and pinned together with rough forged and minimal machined parts or components. This exceptionally rare assault rifle has all matching numbers to include the scope, and is complete with one original "StG44" marked magazine, one original StG 44 manual in the butt compartment, one reproduction MP44 manual and one original MP44 manual.