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Bnz 41 MP40 Pics


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Shotgun News (remember them?) came out one fine day with an ad for a "nice" MP40. The telephone number had a Las Vegas area code. I called, jumped on a plane, rented a car, and inspected and arranged to buy the piece. It's an all-matching bnz 41 MP40 that was obviously period issued but otherwise is in very nice shape. It came with one mag and the original sling. The veteran who had captured it "in Normandy" had passed away and the gun came out of his estate. He'd been a US Army artillery major. Fortunately, he'd registered the gun during the 1968 NFA amnesty. The gun is all matching, with a nearly perfect bore. It looks like it's never been disassembled past field stripping. 

 

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Edited by TSMGguy
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  • 2 weeks later...

Another bnz 41 MP40

I believe I have a twin brother to the bnz 41 shown above.    The MP40 I have is also 100 % matching numbers through out, the bore is almost mirror bright and six MP38/40 mags came with it when I bought it back in 1976.   One mag is stamped "MP41 Hanel Schmeisser" in an arrow on the lower left side.    Several years ago I was able to pick up a spare bolt and telescope recoil spring.    When I do fire the MP40 (which isn't often) I always remove the original bolt & recoil spring and install the replacement.    I only fire my own reloads in the piece.    Not that it matters because it IS NOT for sale but a WWII weapons collector offered me $30k about 2 years ago.   I could hardly believe my ears and I thanked him most graciously but told him it isn't for sale.   He gave me his address and said if I ever change my mind to please let him know.        

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  • 2 weeks later...

Great story.  Looks similar to my BNZ 41 which I bought from the son of the WWII vet that brought it back.  Also registered in the 1968 Amnesty.  Only difference is mine has the original hook style bolt and uncut receiver.

Robert

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On 3/19/2025 at 6:27 PM, Robert Henley said:

Great story.  Looks similar to my BNZ 41 which I bought from the son of the WWII vet that brought it back.  Also registered in the 1968 Amnesty.  Only difference is mine has the original hook style bolt and uncut receiver.

Robert

Interesting as most bolt handles were replaced in the field. Good catch!

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Posted (edited)

Apparently all MP40 hook type bolt handles were to be replaced with the sliding safety version. Mine was. Some I've seen have the little red paint "fire" dot while others seem to lack it. Some earlier guns escaped the modification. 

Two methods of attachment are observed for the handle. They're either staked or welded in with the weld blob dressed. The inside of the bolt of the welded version looks like this: 

 

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Edited by TSMGguy
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As you probably know, the reason for the added safety feature with the bolt was because the Germans had some accidental discharges when MP40s were dropped.  The inertia of the bolt moving back could result in picking up a cartridge from the magazine and an accidental discharge.  I assume some were captured before the safety feature could be added by the half-moon cut in the receiver and the bolt.  Needless to say, in a wartime environment many would keep a loaded magazine in the gun ready to go.  Today, of course, we only need to load it on the range.  Interestingly, my C&R Sten does not have a similar modification unlike most you see with a hole drilled in the other side of the receiver and a bolt handle that locks into it.  The Sten of course is a pure open bolt gun, so all that's necessary for an accidental discharge is to drop it and with nothing to lock the bolt into place there is a possibility of an accidental discharge.  Obviously, have to be careful handling with a loaded magazine.

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On 3/23/2025 at 10:49 AM, Rekraps said:

Mine is done exactly the same way.

Does your bolt safety have the little red "fire" dot as in my sixth pic above?

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11 hours ago, TSMGguy said:

Does your bolt safety have the little red "fire" dot as in my sixth pic above?

Yes. I have two spare bolts, (both armorers field bolts) and one has the red paint one does not. My OEM matching bolt has the red paint also.

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12 hours ago, Rekraps said:

Yes. I have two spare bolts, (both armorers field bolts) and one has the red paint one does not. My OEM matching bolt has the red paint also.

The marking certainly looks original, seemingly applied before the safety was assembled.  

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23 hours ago, TSMGguy said:

The marking certainly looks original, seemingly applied before the safety was assembled.  

Who knows if the red paint is really original, so easy to do, and very little information is out there regarding the "color" etc... Not a big deal at all in my mind. 

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