The Rheinmetall FG 42 Type I (Early) Ser. 14453 is a Rifle first produced in 1943. It carries a scarcity score of 99/100 based on tracked survey data, with 11 active listings currently on the secondary market and a global benchmark price of $169,009.
The FG 42 (Fallschirmjägergewehr 42) was developed by Rheinmetall during WWII, specifically for German paratroopers, after the Crete operation highlighted the need for a selective-fire weapon combining the firepower of a machine gun with the portability of a rifle. Its innovative design aimed to be a universal weapon for German paratroopers, streamlining their equipment loadout. This Type I variant, specifically serial number 14453, represents an early production example of this groundbreaking firearm.