MP-40
Hi,I was given a German MP-40 gun years ago (doesn't fire) and I don't have much knowledge with guns.I was wondering, how could you tell the difference between a replica and the real thing?Thanks
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Well, if you have totally the real thing and it has been deactivated in some manner approved by the BATF the deactivation should have been accomplished in an easily observable manner such as a plugged bore, hole drilled through chamber, sometimes with a rod through the hole to prevent insertion of ammo into the chamber, bolt welded closed, etc. This is what is called a DEWAT. Another possibility is that the gun has not been deactivated and has simply had a part removed (or a part is broken) to prevent firing. In that case you have an illegal Class 3 firearm and it would be inadvisable to be caught with it as it is a Federal Felony. A third possibility comes to mind which is that it is built on a dummy receiver with original parts. If that is the case the receiver will probably not be steel (test it with a magnet) as most of these are made of aluminum. Also, a dummy receiver would be constructed so as to prevent firing. A fourth possibility is that the gun is entirely a replica, in which case almost none of it is likely to be steel. In making your determination you should begin by taking a magnifing glass and inspecting the visible parts for tiny little markings that consist of an eagle with outspread wings over a marking that will be WA635 (I made that up--the WA will be there, but the numbers will be different). These are called "waffenamts" which are W.W. II German inspection-acceptance marks, and any part so marked is a genuine part. You should be able to determine in fairly short order if and how many of your parts are genuine. This combined with a close inspection of your receiver and why the gun doesn't fire (deactivation or broken) should help you to figure out exactly what you've got. Do not put a gunsmith on the spot by taking a possibly illegal weapon into his shop and asking him to fix it! Hope this helps. 0 -
I'm betting the replica will look alot newer that and you see milling marks over most of the parts. BUT you have a BIGGER problem than that if this is a REAL MP-40! You have to have a federal license to own a machine gun! AND to complicate things the govt only let so many foreign made machine guns in the country! I'm guessing here, but yours might have made it in, into some G.I. duffle bag at end of WWII. And it's not reregistered! SO... if the ATF hears of it and finds you ...you go to jail! The last time they had a amnesty was in 1968 (correct me if I'm wrong on this date somebody) That's where ANY machine gun could be registered. Providing you don't live in a state that has laws against owning MGs (...ie Washington, Calif., Ill., N.J., & N.Y. if memory servers) May suggestion to you is either disassembly the weapon and destroy the receiver and sell the parts. OR bury it in the back yard and keep your mouth shut, and hope for another amnesty period so you can register it! Good Luck!!! ...you'll need it!
"FEAR the Goverment, that fears your ARMS"0 -
Thank you Der Gebirgsjager and 11echo for replaying to my inquiry.I examined the gun and found "MGC68" or "MGO68" (it's not very clear), on both the magazine and on the rear of the gun, also the markings of an eagle with outspread wings on the magazine only, and "made in Japan" at the bottom of the gun near the trigger.I did a magnet test and only the barrel is not steel.So is this the real thing or a replica?Thanks 0 -
That pretty well establishes your piece as a replica! MP-40s weren't made in Japan, and the barrels were definately steel. I don't know if that's good news or bad (depends on your point of view), but at least now you know! 0 -
Thank you Der Gebirgsjager for your replay.Actually I feel much better now knowing that my gun is a replica.Just curious! If you could give me an estimate value for this gun, it would be much appreciatedThanks again 0 -
Hello Lou569 If you go to sell your replica of your mp40 please drop me a line thankyou ghubbar@bellsouth.net 0 -
There is a similar gun on auction at ebayItem#: 1087442785Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1087442785 0
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