Full Auto Bringbacks w/ Capture Papers

[fishermankw]

Was chatting with someone today and we both agreed that we hadn’t seen any full autos with capture docs. Being the U.S. was already utilizing tax stamps for full autos prior to 1945 I’m assuming capture papers were never issued b/c technically they shouldn’t have been brought back. Thoughts?

 

[ugafx4]

While researching capture papers several years ago we found some regulations regarding sending back full auto items. If I remember correctly, anyone could bring or send back full auto items until some point in 1944 where the Army realized this was a problem. After this circular was distributed, only officers could technically bring or and back full auto. The Army was most concerned with the sending back of concealable pistols, that’s why we don’t see much paperwork on rifles. I think I have this all saved on an old laptop, I’ll look for it.

I have seen papered full autos. I have heard rumors you could register an MG to this day with the capture paperwork. Not certain on that.

 

[mrfarb]

Families in the past have successfully argued ww2 mg bring back paperwork constitutes “govt registration” with those guns added to the registry (from mg news article 20 years ago or so). It explains guns being added to the registry post 1986. But there are papered mg’s for sure.

 

[jithaca]

Keep in mind prior to the 68 GCA, DEWATs did not have to be registered. So its possible there could be some DEACTed Autos listed on Capture Papers.

 

[Joseph Burke]

I was watching this one last fall and the story of it being a bring back and some documentation (a letter from previous owners), legitimate or contrived, drove the price to $58K (realized cost to seller after fees). It actually lacks any true bring back papers/documentation. I had actually dropped a reasonable sealed bid on an earlier auction, a far more desirable MP43/1, but the storied MP44 got the most attention. It was win for me and kept the MP43/1 at a reasonable () price.

 

[T1D.Operator]

While researching capture papers several years ago we found some regulations regarding sending back full auto items. If I remember correctly, anyone could bring or send back full auto items until some point in 1944 where the Army realized this was a problem. After this circular was distributed, only officers could technically bring or and back full auto. The Army was most concerned with the sending back of concealable pistols, that’s why we don’t see much paperwork on rifles. I think I have this all saved on an old laptop, I’ll look for it.

I have seen papered full autos. I have heard rumors you could register an MG to this day with the capture paperwork. Not certain on that.

You can still. Papers validated in came in pre-1986, and the paper validates its legality. I've seen one MG registered this way. I realize others said this, but I figured I'd add it. I've read that it works on stuff from Vietnam as well.

I'm currently trying to find a nice DEWAT to REWAT, so I don't need to pay 40-50k for anything cool lol.

 

[iron bender]

I transferred an MG34 picked up on June 6, 1944 (116th IR) with paperwork 15 years back. Huge money. Mike knows the guy who bought it