tsmgguy
Senior Member
Just some pics of some Steyr-made MP-40 magazines that I've picked up over the years. Steyr was a contractor for the MP-40 machine pistol. The firm also made magazines for the guns, evidently from 1940 to 1944.
I have seen no explanation as to why the guns bear 660 and bnz codes, while the magazines are marked differently, but the WaA stamps (623 & 815) lead me to believe that guns and magazines were produced in different facilities.
In early 1942, Steyr's early 98E magazine production code changed to kur. All bear WaA815 inspection stamps. 98E 42 coded magazines seem to be somewhat rare today, and those coded kur 42 seem to be more commonly encountered.
Steyr also made mag loaders, marked the same as their magazines. Quality is also excellent.
I have never seen a Steyr-made, kur coded magazine dated later than 1944.
Magazines were produced in two versions. Initially, they had smooth bodies. In 1942, it was directed that these magazines were to be taken out of service and sent to be modified by having ribs pressed into their bodies in an effort to improve feeding. Not all magazines were so modified, as seen below. Those that were bear additional WaA stamps; the ones I've observed are WaA37, 387, and 815.
IMHO, Steyr produced the best quality WWII MP-40 magazines. They invariably fit and function well. Quality steel seems to have been used throughout production; a later kur magazine fits and functions as well as any of the earlier ones.
You'll note that all magazines appear new or nearly so, proof that these still turn up! A seller in Poland was even offering new condition 98E magazines recently. He said that they had just been broken out of the original crate. Judging by their new appearance, I can believe it!
Pictured, left to right:
Unmodified, slab-sided 98E 40
Unmodified, slab-sided 98E 41
Modified, ribbed 98E 41
Ribbed 98E 42
Ribbed kur 42
I have seen no explanation as to why the guns bear 660 and bnz codes, while the magazines are marked differently, but the WaA stamps (623 & 815) lead me to believe that guns and magazines were produced in different facilities.
In early 1942, Steyr's early 98E magazine production code changed to kur. All bear WaA815 inspection stamps. 98E 42 coded magazines seem to be somewhat rare today, and those coded kur 42 seem to be more commonly encountered.
Steyr also made mag loaders, marked the same as their magazines. Quality is also excellent.
I have never seen a Steyr-made, kur coded magazine dated later than 1944.
Magazines were produced in two versions. Initially, they had smooth bodies. In 1942, it was directed that these magazines were to be taken out of service and sent to be modified by having ribs pressed into their bodies in an effort to improve feeding. Not all magazines were so modified, as seen below. Those that were bear additional WaA stamps; the ones I've observed are WaA37, 387, and 815.
IMHO, Steyr produced the best quality WWII MP-40 magazines. They invariably fit and function well. Quality steel seems to have been used throughout production; a later kur magazine fits and functions as well as any of the earlier ones.
You'll note that all magazines appear new or nearly so, proof that these still turn up! A seller in Poland was even offering new condition 98E magazines recently. He said that they had just been broken out of the original crate. Judging by their new appearance, I can believe it!
Pictured, left to right:
Unmodified, slab-sided 98E 40
Unmodified, slab-sided 98E 41
Modified, ribbed 98E 41
Ribbed 98E 42
Ribbed kur 42
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