Very Rare Russian PPD-40 Submachine Gun

Description

7/7/26 - This is an original example of the very rare Russian PPD-40 submachine gun. The bluing rates at 90-95% with minor wear on the heat shroud and a spot or two on the receiver.  There are also a few minor areas of light pitting on the sides of the receiver. Terrific, shiny bore.  The wood furniture is in good condition aside from a crack fully along the forend.  The gun has no external markings on it at all aside from the serial number.  This is an early production model as it has the early tangent rear sight graduated form 5-50 meters.  Listing includes two original drum mags, and the gun is mechanically sound.  Also comes with an original mixed canvas/leather sling.  NOTE: Our consignor test fired both mags through this gun last week and it ran smoothly.

     Developed in the Soviet Union by arms designer Vasily Degtyaryov, the PPD was designed to chamber the new Soviet 7.62x25mm pistol cartridge, which was based on the 7.63x25mm Mauser cartridge used in the Mauser C96 pistol. The PPD officially went into military service with the Red Army in 1935 as the PPD-34, although it was not produced in large quantities. Production issues were not solved until 1937; in 1934 only 44 were produced, in 1935 only 23; production picked up in 1937 with 1,291 produced, followed by 1,115 produced in 1938 and 1,700 produced in 1939. In 1938 and 1940, modified versions were designated PPD-34/38 and PPD-40 respectively, and introduced minor changes, mostly aimed at making it easier to manufacture. Mass production began in 1940, a year in which 81,118 PPDs were produced. Nevertheless, the PPD-40 was too labor- and resource-expensive to mass-produce economically, most of its metal components being produced by milling.  It is estimated that there are only 30-40 fully transferrable original examples in the states now.