GERMAN MP43 MACHINE GUN CAPTURED FROM 6TH SS MOUNTAIN DIVISION (DEACTIVATED)

This weapon was captured in January 1945 during the last German offensive in the West. Brass plate affixed to left side of buttstock, “CAPTURED BY/2ND PLAT.AT Co.-276TH INF./FROM/6SS MTN.Div. NORD/AT WINGEN, FRANCE 1/45”. Original model marking “MP43” on left side of receiver. Serial number is actually 1743g and weapon was made in 1944. Receiver stamping is by “cos” (Mertz Werke) with C.G. Haenel final proof (eagle/”37"). Barrel and gas port also marked by C.G. Haenel (fxo). Gas block marked by Erma (eagle/”280"). Buttstock hardware also made by Mertz Werke. Serial numbers match between receiver, buttstock and pistol grip assembly. Stock detent pin has a wire running from the loop of the retaining spring across the right-hand side of receiver and attached to hand guard; this appears to be a post war measure to keep the gun from being easily disassembled. Grips are of Kunstloff material (hard brown bakelite). Operating rod and bolt are proof marked by C.G. Haenel and match in serial number to gun. Bolt is early type without cut out at extractor with triangular firing pin. Main spring is unusual in that it is only 5/8" in diameter. Buttstock is of the standard profile 5-1/2" from heel to toe. Although bolt and operating rod move freely within receiver with proper tension, the chamber of this weapon has been plugged by adding weld, rendering it unserviceable. It appears that the weld is confined just to plugging the chamber and not to welding the barrel to the receiver. There is a spot weld at the rear of gas block which welds gas block to hand guard. This weapon includes two 30-round magazines marked “MP44” and one green canvas magazine pouch with stamped metal buttons. Also included in this lot are copies of the original documentation authorizing the weapons exit from the European Theater of Operations, a certified copy of the original amnesty registration form, evidence that this weapon was on display at the Army War College Museum, and a document which states that this weapon was used as a display prop in the film Taps (1981) in the movie home of the General portrayed by actor George C. Scott. PROVENANCE: Personal Collection of B.G. (RET) Theo C. Mataxis, Veteran of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, and adviser to Afghanistan forces fighting against Soviet occupation during the 1980s. Mataxis’ Son related to this cataloger that his Father elected to deactivate the guns he brought home in Theater because, “it made the administration of transporting them so much easier and less troublesome than if they were live guns." CONDITION: Overall finish and appearance is good with about 70% original blue finish remaining on metal surfaces with a liberal scattering of pitting throughout with quite a bit of brown patina. There are also some scratches to finish showing bare metal and a museum identification number in textile marker on bottom of trigger guard. There is heat discoloration to metal where gas block is welded to hand guard. Hand grips are in good condition with some dings and handling marks, wooden buttstock has numerous dings and handling marks. This weapon should be of high interest to collectors with its provenance to a notable German unit from World War II combined with the fact that it is an all matching original example. The fact that it also has ties to BG (RET) Theo C. Mataxis only enhances its value.