**GERMAN MG42 MACHINE GUN DEWAT CAPTURED FROM 6TH SS DIVISION NEAR ROTHBACK, FRANCE, JANUARY 1945 (C&R).

SN SM1785. 7.92mm. 20″ bbl. This MG42 is provenance to have been captured in January of 1945 from 6th SS Mountain division and this must have been a spanking new gun at that time because the markings on the receiver indicate it was made in 1945 by Gustloff. It is marked on left side of receiver “S.M./178J/s v q”. It also has an eagle/swastika with “rea” to left of these markings. Top of receiver marked with eagle/”waa4″ proof mark indicating Gustloff. Top cover is marked “bpr” for Grossfuss. Bolt locking collar is marked “ar” (Mauser) and SN 6837 indicating it is a replacement. Attached orig bipod exhibits rather crude welding and abbreviated manufacturing processes but is still completely serviceable and functional. Included in this lot is an orig brown mustard colored ammunition can marked “ets” which has latches at both ends and a spare bbl marked, “CNX/3” with a bbl collar marked “dot” (Waffenwerke Brunn) in mustard brown carrier which is marked “Laufschutzer/42/Lyq44”. Buttstock has a 3/8″ reinforcement band around it where it meets hardware at front. Also marked on left side with eagle/swastika proof mark over “waa54” and to right of this “hvg 44”. Bolt is backwards within receiver, in forward position with cocking handle frozen in rear position. Bolt head does appear to be present in chamber area. Bbl removal door has been welded shut by spot welding on either side above and below the latch 1″ forward of bolt locking collar. Unable to rotate buffer to remove it from receiver. This weapon is currently unserviceable. This gun was personally captured by then MAJ Theo C. Mataxis on 10 January 1945 near Rothback, France at night while he was reorganizing front line troops after two companies had lost their commanding officers. In the total darkness of the night, Mataxis fell into the machine gun position where this gun was emplaced. The Germans manning the position captured him, relieved him of his .30 Carbine, then ordered him to strip off his clothes for their own use against the bitter cold weather. Mataxis had a concealed .45 ACP pistol under his shirt in a leather shoulder holster, and surprised the Germans, using this to kill three of them in rapid succession, and causing the other two to surrender. Mataxis received Silver Star for actions surrounding capture of this arm, and a copy of this citation is included with this lot. Consignor states this weapon was subsequently loaned to the Infantry test board at Ft. Benning, GA when developing the M-60, due to the MG 42’s fast rate of fire and quick change barrel design. 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. Also included is a copy of the Silver Star citation awarded to Mataxis. PROVENANCE: Personal Collection of B.G. (RET) Theo C. Mataxis, Veteran of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, & adviser to Afghanistan forces fighting against Soviet occupation during the 1980s. CONDITION: Overall finish and appearance is very good with about 70% of smooth gray late war finish remaining with balance brown patina and some brown scale on bipod. Red hand grip panels are in extremely fine and attractive condition. Ammunition can retains about 70% of its brown finish, otherwise with heavy scale corrosion, but it remains serviceable. Spare bbl is very good condition with some scratches and spots of surface corrosion; bore is very good, shiny with some slight pitting. Spare bbl carrier retains about 85% of its mustard brown paint with spots of bare metal and corrosion showing through. Web sling is soft but completely serviceable, starting to fray at sling swivels. Museum textile marking on bottom of bbl locking collar. Brass plate affixed to right side of buttstock, “CAPTURED BY/’F’Co-276TH INF. REGT./FROM/6TH SS MNT. Div. NORD./AT-ROTHBACK, FRANCE 1/45”. This is an extremely interesting piece from the point of researching late war German manufacturing shortcuts, and even more meaningful, is the historical provenance surrounding its capture. 4-51962 JWK107 (15,000-25,000) 4-51962 JWK107 (15,000-25,000) – Lot 1093

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Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1093	$27,600.00	*GERMAN MG42 MACHINE GUN DEWAT CAPTURED FROM 6TH SS DIVISION NEAR ROTHBACK, FRANCE, JANUARY 1945 (C&R). SN SM1785. 7.92mm. 20″ bbl. This MG42 is provenance to have been captured in January of 1945 from 6th SS Mountain division and this must have been a spanking new gun at that time because the markings on the receiver indicate it was made in 1945 by Gustloff. It is marked on left side of receiver “S.M./178J/s v q”. It also has an eagle/swastika with “rea” to left of these markings. Top of receiver marked with eagle/”waa4″ proof mark indicating Gustloff. Top cover is marked “bpr” for Grossfuss. Bolt locking collar is marked “ar” (Mauser) and SN 6837 indicating it is a replacement. Attached orig bipod exhibits rather crude welding and abbreviated manufacturing processes but is still completely serviceable and functional. Included in this lot is an orig brown mustard colored ammunition can marked “ets” which has latches at both ends and a spare bbl marked, “CNX/3” with a bbl collar marked “dot” (Waffenwerke Brunn) in mustard brown carrier which is marked “Laufschutzer/42/Lyq44”. Buttstock has a 3/8″ reinforcement band around it where it meets hardware at front. Also marked on left side with eagle/swastika proof mark over “waa54” and to right of this “hvg 44”. Bolt is backwards within receiver, in forward position with cocking handle frozen in rear position. Bolt head does appear to be present in chamber area. Bbl removal door has been welded shut by spot welding on either side above and below the latch 1″ forward of bolt locking collar. Unable to rotate buffer to remove it from receiver. This weapon is currently unserviceable. This gun was personally captured by then MAJ Theo C. Mataxis on 10 January 1945 near Rothback, France at night while he was reorganizing front line troops after two companies had lost their commanding officers. In the total darkness of the night, Mataxis fell into the machine gun position where this gun was emplaced. The Germans manning the position captured him, relieved him of his .30 Carbine, then ordered him to strip off his clothes for their own use against the bitter cold weather. Mataxis had a concealed .45 ACP pistol under his shirt in a leather shoulder holster, and surprised the Germans, using this to kill three of them in rapid succession, and causing the other two to surrender. Mataxis received Silver Star for actions surrounding capture of this arm, and a copy of this citation is included with this lot. Consignor states this weapon was subsequently loaned to the Infantry test board at Ft. Benning, GA when developing the M-60, due to the MG 42’s fast rate of fire and quick change barrel design. 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. Also included is a copy of the Silver Star citation awarded to Mataxis. PROVENANCE: Personal Collection of B.G. (RET) Theo C. Mataxis, Veteran of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, & adviser to Afghanistan forces fighting against Soviet occupation during the 1980s. CONDITION: Overall finish and appearance is very good with about 70% of smooth gray late war finish remaining with balance brown patina and some brown scale on bipod. Red hand grip panels are in extremely fine and attractive condition. Ammunition can retains about 70% of its brown finish, otherwise with heavy scale corrosion, but it remains serviceable. Spare bbl is very good condition with some scratches and spots of surface corrosion; bore is very good, shiny with some slight pitting. Spare bbl carrier retains about 85% of its mustard brown paint with spots of bare metal and corrosion showing through. Web sling is soft but completely serviceable, starting to fray at sling swivels. Museum textile marking on bottom of bbl locking collar. Brass plate affixed to right side of buttstock, “CAPTURED BY/’F’Co-276TH INF. REGT./FROM/6TH SS MNT. Div. NORD./AT-ROTHBACK, FRANCE 1/45”. This is an extremely interesting piece from the point of researching late war German manufacturing shortcuts, and even more meaningful, is the historical provenance surrounding its capture. 4-51962 JWK107 (15,000-25,000) 4-51962 JWK107 (15,000-25,000) – Lot 1093 Click here to view provenance Auction: Firearms - Fall 2014 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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**GERMAN MG42 MACHINE GUN DEWAT CAPTURED FROM 6TH SS DIVISION NEAR ROTHBACK, FRANCE, JANUARY 1945 (C&R).