Highlights: WWII German C G Haenel MKb.42(H) machine gun, $270,600, and MG-34 machine gun, $150,000;Model 1902 American Eagle Cartridge Counter Luger, $116,850;Japanese Type 100 machine gun, $110,700
DENVER, Pa., Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A rare and desirable German World War II C G Haenel MKb.42(H) machine gun – the very first Sturmgewehr – soared to $270,600, and an equally hard-to-find German World War II MG-34 machine gun with matching bolt, barrel and amnesty form hit the mark for $150,000 in Morphy’s big Firearms & Militaria auction held September 15-17. The sale featured nearly 1,200 lots of antique and collectible firearms and grossed $6.4 million.
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The C G Haenel MKb.42(H) machine gun was the overall top lot of the auction, with the $270,600 selling price more than doubling its $120,000 high estimate. The weapon was a select-fire rifle that used an intermediate-size cartridge, able to fulfill many combat roles. This was an important historical development, as it meant soldiers could carry more readily-available ammunition and could quickly change between aimed fire and suppressing fire. Nearly all of the 8,000-12,000 units produced from 1942-43 were fielded to Russia, which is why so few are found in the United States.
An Amnesty registered German MG-34 machine gun with matching visible numbers (including Bakelite butt, barrel and bolt) came from a collector with great foresight who acquired fabulous German WWII machine gun specimens more than 20 years ago. He was so forward-thinking that he had a noted machine gun dealer acquire and match three sets of correct barrels and bolts for it. Of all the MG-34 guns Morphy’s cataloger has handled over the last 40+ years, very few have had originally-matching barrels and bolts. Also, the gun was in a condition that every advanced German machine gun collector desires. The $150,000 selling price was exactly twice the $75,000 high estimate.
A DWM Model 1902 American Eagle Cartridge Counter Luger, representing one of the rarest, most desirable early semi-automatic pistols associated with United States military trials, sold within estimate for $116,850. Manufactured during a time when the US Army was evaluating self-loading handguns to replace revolvers, these Lugers were among the most advanced and refined sidearms of the era. This weapon – Serial Number 22432 – was one of about 50 pistols made for the US Board of Ordnance during the 1902–1903 trials program and was once part of the prestigious Dr Geoffrey Sturgess collection.
An extremely desirable Japanese Type 100 machine gun, perhaps the most sought-after of all the Japanese machine gun models of World War II, finished above high estimate at $110,000. The gun was manufactured by Nagoya Arsenal and included one original magazine, a reproduction sling and a steel buttplate. Fewer than 6,000 of these Type 100 weapons were manufactured, and there aren’t many specimens listed in the National Firearms Act registry.
An important prototype (or experimental) Colt 1851 Navy Conversion Single Action Revolver with a 7-½ inch octagonal barrel, brass pin front sight and early New York City address with dashes, changed hands within estimate, for $56,580. This .38 CF caliber revolver was pictured on Page 112 of The William M Locke Collection by Frank Sellers and is almost certainly a one-of-a-kind prototype for the later factory conversions of the ’51 Navy and others that followed.
To discuss consigning to a future Firearms & Militaria Auction, or other auction hosted by Morphy’s, call Dan Morphy at 877-968-8880 or email [email protected]. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential, and there is never an obligation to consign. Online: www.morphyauctions.com.
