early MG 42

[Bautzen]

Hello,
I've seen a "cra" MG42 with the same device than the MG34 to fix the bipod (pic taken on my MG34) is this kind of MG42 early? scarce?
there is no date but "GH" above the marking, what does it mean?

Regards
Bautzen

[Josh Beckett]

cra is the ordnance code for the factory in Maget. It is scarce but not super rare. The GH is something i havent been able to find out. Sorry, but good luck on your info. MG 42s are pretty nice.

[Bautzen]

Hello,
Thanks for the reply.
I searched about the "GH" marking, and it means the year of production. They started to use letters to code dates in 43, that's why 1944 and 1945 dated MG42s can't be found.
I will post the coded dates by maker tomorrow.
Regards

[Bautzen]

Hello
Here are the Coded dates by makers :

MAGET
cra + GH : late 43
cra + NC: 44
swd + NC: 45

STEYR
bnz + GZ: late 43
bnz + PJ: early 44
swj + PJ: late 44
swj + XE: 45

GUSTLOFF
dfb + FG: late 43
dfb + MU: 44
svq + SM: 45

MAUSER (Borsigwalde factory)
ar + JT: late 43
ar + DF: 44
dd + DF: 45

Regards

[John-M]

Cra+nc

Very informative! Thanks Bautzen for your information.

Hope no one minds... here are the stamps on my receiver (I never realized NC represented the year of production).