michaelkih Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 I have first dibs on this all original, and all matching 1943 MP40, and I'm pretty much ready to pull the trigger, but this will be my first and only MP40 purchase, so I'm just not sure what to look for. Here is what is included with it -6 1943 mags-2 1943 mag pouches-Correct Nazi loader-Slightly comical letter about how the soldier got it, brought it back, and gave it to his toddler son (good old days). He sounds like he was a great and funny man. Sadly he passed away a while back. I like history, hence why I buy C&R guns, and not rewats or tube guns, and the letter is neat, and magazines all dated 1943, but really my main thing of interest is the gun PERIOD. Couple things I have noticed, questions for you experts, and things to look at. -That spot near the magazine button. Is that a repair? Bad / good?-That spot under and in front of the mag well. Is that a normal dent? What could it be? Problem?-To bring it home, he had to tap a bolt into the end of the barrel. He then had a great gunsmith remove the 1/2" of threads from inside the barrel, and re crowned it about 1/2" back into the barrel. Shoots perfect, and has a very low round count. Big problem? Common? Who cares since it is a low count matching barrel? That's really it. Thanks for your help guys. I really do appreciate it! I'm pretty much ready to buy this gun, but just want to see what you experts think, and if it's a bad buy, good buy, or GREAT buy! Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelkih Posted October 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 Also, he says it is 100% matching, but I just want to make sure he is looking at everything. Does anyone know every part that was numbered on these guns so I can have him double check it for me? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Henley Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 $19,000 seems awfully high to me, but I'm sure there are some experts who will weigh in on the gun's condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelkih Posted October 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 $19,000 seems awfully high to me, but I'm sure there are some experts who will weigh in on the gun's condition.Just spoke with him, and he offered $17,500. Guess I'll take it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Dog 1110 Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 I'm not an expert but I see some red flags with this gun.I suggest you wait and get some more opinions from the guys on this board who know a lot more than me. Good luckDD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelkih Posted October 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 Ok. I'll wait to hear more. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grasshopper Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 (edited) Hi michaelkih, Nice digging to find an old gun like this MP-40. I've not been looking at MP-40's for awhile but I think I'm correct in saying that there should not be a hole through the receiver just above and in front of the magazine release button. Drilled through both sides of the receiver also. I suspect that the hole is the remains of making the gun non-serviceable at some time in past history. Again, it has been awhile, but the "dent" in the bottom of the receiver tube is part of the way that the trunnion is attached to the receiver. In other words, IIRC, it is correct for this gun. Something to check on any MP-40 is the folding stock and how it locks in the extended (and retracted) positions. I hear it is hard to fix if it has excessive play and you likely know that parts have been out of print for a lifetime. Germans liked to put numbers on all kinds of parts. Again, IIRC, Barrel, grip frame, bolt, firing pin, folding stock, were numbered. I can't remember more of the top of my head. IMHO, it is a nice shooter. I don't know how serious collectors will view the extra hole in the receiver and the altered barrel. I've always been told to look at what a gun will sell for when buying it. On the other hand, it has some history and if you like shooting them, it should be just fine. Great sights. The MP-40 has no cheek weld to speak of which bothers some folks. Drop a FBP SMG bolt assembly into the gun and leave the MP-40 bolt at home. (The FBP bolt just drops in and has the firing pin as part of the bolt unlike the MP-40 with the really long floating firing pin.) Watch light ammo. The ones I've played with will run-away with light ammo so the obvious - only put a few rounds in your first magazine just in case the recoil can not get the bolt back on the sear. Enjoy, Grasshopper Edited October 10, 2014 by Grasshopper 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timkel Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 So there is a visible hole through the receiver? And the barrel is bored out for 1/2" near muzzle? Not good. All original, all matching, good. Capture paperwork would help.I do not like to comment on price. But it just seems well above the market average. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devil Dog 1110 Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 MichaelkihYou say you don't buy Rewat's but that is what this gun is- a reactivated war trophy.The hole in the receiver woul be a real problem for a lot of potential buyers when you decide to sell it in the future.I just bought an MP40- after 2 years of searching- that was all matching and amnesty registered.I paid about the same your seller is asking.The rewats MP40's I have looked at usually sold for some where between the price of a tube gun and a unaltered gun.If it was me I would walk away from this and keep looking- the search is half the fun.Hope this helps.DD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
av8tr Posted October 10, 2014 Report Share Posted October 10, 2014 My MP40 is a very early Haenel made gun (3 digit serial number, smooth mag well.) It has no large "dent" on the bottom of the receiver. It is not deformed there in any way. In fact, there are waffenampts stamped there. I think that dent is another negative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridius Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 Even at $17,500 this is priced very high. I wouldn't feel comfortable spending more than $13K on this MP40 considering the condition (if the pouches are absolutely original maybe $14K. I'm not an expert on pouches but you need to be careful on these... many great fakes out there). The "dent" is normal. Some of the manufactures used this method to stake the trunion in place. The hole in the receiver and the re-crowned barrel are major detractors. Personally I would not want a gun with these flaws. These guns are not rare and I would pass on this one if I were you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn Posted October 20, 2014 Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 I also have a 43 ayf mp40 that is all matching. My barrel was also pluged sometime in its history and is missing 1/8" off the front. Yes the dent is factory and your finish is in good shape. The hole would bug me, but that's just me. The pouches look to good to be true (70 years old). C&R mp40 prices seem to be running from low teens to low twentys for a story and mint gun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelkih Posted October 20, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 20, 2014 Yea, I think the holes may be causing me to not buy it. Freaking sucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelkih Posted November 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 Well I passed on this gun after all. It is now listed on gunbroker if anyone is interested in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meridius Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 Well I passed on this gun after all. It is now listed on gunbroker if anyone is interested in it.A wise decision IMHO... I would not have paid anywhere near that for a MP40 that had a hole drilled through the receiver. Even without the hole I don't think it is worth that. Nice, matching MP40's can be had in the $13-15k range if you take you time. Any MP40 priced over $16k is over priced in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colt21a Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) Have been into Mp-40s for 40 years. like Thompson's.. a very very smart move. you are wise to still shop for one. late to the party on this one to comment. when you find the right one it will speak to you. just remember to listen, and when the right one comes along. be ready to buy that minute.no waiver no hesitation. Also on the pouch set I had a few that nice and all original's.{ however remember some are really good at aging rep's. and they have been out there for over 30 plus years now.so once new with age now. they can fool many around.and those are CZech reps possibly. or at the Front company. the MP-44 mags I sold recently in twenty years will look like originals to some....so its best to ask here before you cut the check's.. my worse MP-40a shooter still looked better then that. good luck on the HUNT. Ron Cot 21a Edited November 6, 2014 by colt21a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wwl Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 I have a MP40, all matching , very nice condition, single diget serial #, that I've had for over 30 years. I have not shot it in years as they got more costly. It's now a proud safe queen but goes to gun shows in my show glass box so no one can touch my display. I would not even consider selling it for $20,000. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shawn Posted November 7, 2014 Report Share Posted November 7, 2014 No mention on gb about the hole and he is claiming 95% finish. If this is 95%, then I have some in the 150% finish area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelkih Posted November 10, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 10, 2014 I picked up a nice bring back MP44 instead with 2000 rounds of PRVI ammo instead for less money! Pictures to come! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83Baron Posted January 9, 2015 Report Share Posted January 9, 2015 Talking vet bringbacks. I am contemplating a vet bringback mp40 that was never tampered with and registered during the amnesty. I've seen it and held it, has original finish with some minor handling rash and minor spots here and there being it is the age it is. Functions perfectly, great bore, etc. Just wondering what the market currently demands for original, great condition specimens, since I know the tube market is somewhere in the 10k range. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lone Ranger Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 I wouldn't go over 14, *maybe* 15 for the perfect one on the perfect day. But you know what they say about opinions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83Baron Posted January 10, 2015 Report Share Posted January 10, 2015 Thanks Lone Ranger. I was thinking along the same lines as you as far as price. I think he is asking 18k, but that seems way above market especially if you factor in sales tax. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83Baron Posted January 24, 2015 Report Share Posted January 24, 2015 To follow up, the mp40 in particular is a mint condition c&r, all matching, amnesty registered, vet bringback mp40 code 660. How rare are these early war mp40's, and what would be ballpark value today? Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Lone Ranger Posted January 26, 2015 Report Share Posted January 26, 2015 Was hoping someone other than me would reply - again, my personal opinion only but what you described would be at or near the top of my list for MP-40s. Mainly the 660 and condition.... better yet if the bolt handle had not been upgraded Amnesty registered no biggie for me, but some might appreciate it as a historical milepost.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoscoeTurner Posted January 27, 2015 Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 I'm with you, the amnesty registered thing adds no value to the firearm as far as I am concerned. Capture papers included yes, amnesty registered no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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