Mp-44 Question

[hawk]

I'm confused as to how to determine who the prime contractor was for MP44's. I do know this is one fine original C&R gun, matching. Who knows what the contractors were and how to tell.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/hawkey/class%203%20weapons/mp44b.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/hawkey/class%203%20weapons/mp44d.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/hawkey/class%203%20weapons/mp44c.jpg

[Blanksguy]

Look on the receiver in front of the Magazine-well and under the barrel-chamber area on the outside of the receiver and let us know what the "Letter-Codes" are.......and the "numbers" under the "Waffenampts"/Eagles.

 

After that, we will be able to tell you who made it.

Regards, RichardS in MI.

Blanksguy2001@chartermi.net

[hawk]

Richard, looks like COS, qlv, eagle with 280 under and a couple other eagles. Where are you in MI? I'm in MI too. 40 miles north of Grand Rapids. Thanks for your help.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v19/hawkey/class%203%20weapons/mp44markings.jpg

 

http://img.photobucket

[The Lone Ranger]

Hawk,

 

I think COS (Merz-Werke, Frankfurt) was a subcontractor for the receiver housing and cap.

 

qlv (Erma, Erfurt) was a manufacturer of completed guns. The info I have says that factory turned out 104,000 guns the second highest # of the producers.

 

P.S. I'm jealous http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/dry.gif

 

 

Edited July 15, 2007 by The Lone Ranger

[hawk]

Thanks for the info. This one is 505n. Did they make 10,000 then go back and suffix like they did with Lugers?

[The Lone Ranger]

I believe that to be correct.

 

Do you know any history of the gun - how it got to the US? It looks to be in great shape from the photos.

[hawk]

I got it about 15 years ago from a collector friend. He got it from a retired U.S. Army Major who he said brought it into the states after the war as a war trophy. It is in very fine condition, and I have only fired it a few times due to the hassle of cleaning a gun that shoots corrosive ammo.

[froster]

For your ammo supply, have you tried making cases from 308 brass shortened? And have you heard that there is new production apparently available from Hansen? I think that's what I have heard. The dies are available from Lee.

[The Lone Ranger]

Partizan in Yugo is making some I believe. I have read some people saying it is a bit weak, but others say it's OK. Non-corrosive which would be a selling pint for me. I bought 100 rds of the commercial stuff from Cole's at KCR in October 06 ($500 if you buy in 1k lots). I would love to give you a range report, but unfortunately I don't have a gun to try it in - I know, I have issues about that stuff... got a few mags here for firearms that I don't own as well... http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/huh.gif

[slowfinger]

I have three MP44s and they all run fine with Coles Privi Partizen ammo! Just clean the rifle completely when you get home....George-Slowfinger

[Uncle Dudley]

QUOTE (hawk @ Jul 15 2007, 06:55 AM)

Thanks for the info. This one is 505n. Did they make 10,000 then go back and suffix like they did with Lugers?

I looked up the suffix letter "n" which is on my MP40 serial number and the pre WWII german alphabet shows the small "n" to be the fifth letter of the alphabet or "e" which equates to 50,000. So, if the MP44 is numbered in the same system, that would be gun number 50,505 from that manufacturer.

 

Uncle Dudley

[hawk]

Wow, thanks you guys! I appreciate the info.

 

http://www.machinegunbooks.com/forums/invboard1_1_2/upload/html/emoticons/woot.gif

[Sarge]

Hey, uncle dudly

where did you get that info? Doesn't jibe with anything I know on the subjekt because they used about all the letters in the alphabet so if n = e then what does e = ?, or f or k or b?

They used the letters in alphabetical order on all their firearms, even when they went to double letters on the K98k rifles.

Sarge

[Uncle Dudley]

Sarge:

 

I bought Frank's book "Blitzkrieg" and looked at the marking and numbering system. The "n" as a suffix in my serial number would put it in the 140,000 range for 1942 production at C G Haenel machine works. I couldn't find specific information that Haenel made that many MP40's in 1942. The "n" looked different than our English "n" so I looked up a German language site and found that before WWII the German alphabet was different and the symbol "n" was the fifth letter (or equivalent to "e" in the new alphabet) of the old alphabet.

 

So actually, this is my best detective work guess that the suffix "n" as the fifth letter denotes a 50,000 production gun for 1942, according to the way these MP40's were numbered. I'm also guessing that this suffix numbering system was a common practise. The letter suffix denotes 10,000--- a=10,000---b=20,000--etc. My MP40 is serial number 8843n which, if I'm correct, would be 58,843 production gun for 1942 (by C G Haenel).

 

I won't be offended if someone with more German knowledge proves me wrong.

 

Uncle Dudley

[KySoldier]

I got it about 15 years ago from a collector friend. He got it from a retired U.S. Army Major who he said brought it into the states after the war as a war trophy. It is in very fine condition, and I have only fired it a few times due to the hassle of cleaning a gun that shoots corrosive ammo.

 

What a nice weapon !!!!! I don't guess it would be for sale would it?? I am looking for one in super condition like yours. Thanks.