Military History — WWII Firearms

Guns of World War II
— The Complete Guide

The iconic firearms that defined World War II — from the M1 Garand to the Luger P08. History, specifications, and what WWII firearms are worth in 2026.

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WWII Firearms — History & Value

The Guns That Won (and Lost) World War II

World War II was fought with firearms that remain among the most historically significant — and most collected — in the world. General Patton called the M1 Garand “the greatest battle implement ever devised.” The Luger P08 was the most coveted trophy from both World Wars. These are the firearms that shaped 20th century history — and what they’re worth today.

Allied Firearms

Allied Forces — WWII Service Weapons

FIREARM	NATION	ROLE	PRODUCED	2026 COLLECTOR VALUE
M1 Garand	USA	Semi-auto service rifle	5.4 million	$600–$2,500 (CMP/Springfield)
M1 Carbine	USA	Light semi-auto carbine	6.1 million	$800–$2,500
Thompson M1928/M1A1	USA	Submachine gun	1.7 million	$25,000–$50,000+ (transferable FA)
1911A1 Pistol	USA	Service pistol	>2.7 million	$800–$3,000 (documented WWII)
M1 Garand	USA (Lend-Lease)	Allied service rifle	–	Premium for British/Soviet marked
Bren Light Machine Gun	UK	Squad light machine gun	250,000+	$35,000–$80,000 (transferable)
Sten Gun	UK	Economy SMG	4+ million	$10,000–$25,000 (transferable)
Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk I	UK/Commonwealth	Bolt-action service rifle	4+ million	$400–$1,500
Enfield No.2 Revolver	UK	Service revolver	270,000	$300–$700
PPSH-41	USSR	Submachine gun	6+ million	Semi-auto: $3,000–$6,000
Mosin-Nagant M91/30	USSR	Bolt-action service rifle	17+ million	$200–$600 (surplus)
SVT-40	USSR	Semi-auto rifle	1.6 million	$1,500–$3,500

Axis Firearms

Axis Forces — WWII Service Weapons

FIREARM	NATION	ROLE	NOTES	2026 COLLECTOR VALUE
Luger P08	Germany	Service pistol	Most coveted WWII trophy	$1,500–$4,000 (military marked)
Walther P38	Germany	Service pistol	Replaced Luger in production	$700–$2,000
Walther PPK	Germany	Officer’s/police pistol	Bond’s gun — WWII examples prized	$1,200–$3,000
MP40	Germany	Submachine gun	Iconic WWII SMG	$20,000–$45,000 (transferable)
MG42	Germany	Machine gun	1,200 rpm — still in NATO service	$35,000–$85,000 (transferable)
Karabiner 98k	Germany	Bolt-action rifle	Standard Wehrmacht rifle	$800–$3,500 (matching numbers)
Gewehr 43	Germany	Semi-auto rifle	Answer to M1 Garand	$3,000–$8,000
StG 44	Germany	Assault rifle	First true assault rifle — $25,000–$80,000	Extremely rare
Arisaka Type 99	Japan	Bolt-action rifle	Standard issue	$200–$1,500
Nambu Type 14	Japan	Service pistol	Notoriously unreliable	$400–$1,500
Beretta M1934	Italy	Service pistol	Elegant design, widely used	$400–$1,200

WWII Collecting Today

What to Know Before Collecting WWII Firearms

Matching Numbers Matter Enormously#111

Documentation Multiplies Value#6E9631

Import Marks Affect Value#c0392b

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Where to Find Authentic WWII Firearms

Rock Island Auction Company, James D. Julia Auctioneers, and Heritage Auctions all regularly feature WWII military surplus. Always get a receipt with detailed description and provenance documentation. The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) still sells genuine M1 Garands.

FAQs

WWII Firearms FAQs

Is the M1 Garand still available?

Yes — the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) sells genuine WWII-era M1 Garands to qualified US citizens. Prices range from $695–$1,995 depending on manufacturer (Springfield Armory, Winchester, International Harvester) and condition.

Can I legally own a WWII machine gun?

Yes — pre-1986 registered machine guns can be legally purchased with an ATF Form 4, $200 tax stamp, and FBI background check. WWII-era Thompsons, Stens, and MP40s in the registered machine gun registry are legally transferable. Prices range from $10,000 (Sten) to $85,000+ (MG42).

Are Luger P08 pistols safe to shoot?

Most WWII-era Lugers are safe to shoot with correct ammunition. Use modern commercial 9mm — avoid +P loads which exceed original proof pressures. Have any WWII pistol examined by a qualified gunsmith before shooting.

What is the most valuable common WWII firearm?

The German Luger P08 commands the highest prices among common WWII military pistols — $1,500–$4,000 for matching-numbers examples. Rare configurations (Artillery model with shoulder stock, naval model) command $5,000–$20,000+.

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