My first MG42 (Restoration help needed!)

[C7riS]

Hi guys!

My WWII weapon collection just got expanded.. Picked up my very first MG42 a week back
It was dug up some years ago after 60 years under ground in a sand work! The piece is in excellent mechanical condition, although there is some external rust and bumps it was cheap at 700$
Now before I got it someone had, of course , spray painted it black and used it as a display item.
So after a while at work with the paint remover we managed to uncover the real thing underneath.

I'm hoping to restore it as close as possible to the origianl finish, but it will take some time..
Its my first time restoring a weapon, and I would really appreciate any help or guidence on restoreing this beautifull piece of history

Now, bare with me on the pictures, there's alot of them but I figured the more information the better!

And, there is one interesting piece in this MG42 which I have never seen before.
What I am refering to is the unusual cockinghandle

Anyway, images..

- MG42 before paint removal.. (yes it looks nice from a distance..)


- Another picture -> http://www.obskura.no/Collection/MG42/2.jpg

- After paint removal





- Gun Sight (heavy pitting) -> http://www.obskura.no/Collection/MG42/5.jpg

- MG42 Left back side ID -> http://www.obskura.no/Collection/MG42/8.jpg

- Left side pistolgrip view with ID -> http://www.obskura.no/Collection/MG42/7.jpg

- Top view with ID's -> http://www.obskura.no/Collection/MG42/16.jpg

- Unusual cockinghandle -> http://www.obskura.no/Collection/MG42/9.jpg

- Right side mid-body shot -> http://www.obskura.no/Collection/MG42/10.jpg

- Inside look ammo feeder -> http://www.obskura.no/Collection/MG42/11.jpg

- Stock closeup -> http://www.obskura.no/Collection/MG42/13.jpg

- Full view 99% dismantled (big wide picture) -> http://www.obskura.no/Collection/MG42/14.jpg

- Unusual cokinghandle detail -> http://www.obskura.no/Collection/MG42/21.jpg

- Barrel with ID's (still some paint left) -> http://www.obskura.no/Collection/MG42/18.jpg

- Bolt dismantled with ID's -> http://www.obskura.no/Collection/MG42/19.jpg

- Ammo ejector parts -> http://www.obskura.no/Collection/MG42/20.jpg
----------------------------------------------------


Some questions:

Ideas on the unusal cockinghandle? Is this a custom piece, or was it an early design discarded in later productions?

Does anyone have any information about this weapon concerning the production number or factory origin, etc?

How can I go about for restoring this weapon? I am specially interested in information on the gray-black original coating/finish, and wether or not it's a good idea to file or sand all the rust pitting away.

Thanks alot for your time gentlemen!
Cheers,
Chris

[reidmuller]

Chris the unusual cocking handle is a rear early cocking handle so as expected is dated 1942 and so is one of the very first out of the factory looks like the 11,676th one made by Magnet if i remeber
the book to get is German universal machineguns i will dig it out later and have a better look

[reidmuller]

also is it live??

[SvenWittnebel]

- The handle is the first variant.

-

Ammo ejector parts

= belt transport device.

-

... a good idea to file or sand all the rust pitting away.

File a pitting away?

Restoring? As a wall hanger fill the pittings with hard solder before blueing. Make it a shooter again - I would say no way.

[PZIV]

Get some help from these guys:

http://www.panzer46.net/mg42board/index.php

Great folk.

[Svt40]

I would bead blast it then finish as you desire. But bead blasting will get rid of all the corrosion that is in the pits etc. Do not sand blast that is too abrasive.

[MauserKar98k]

I would bead blast it then finish as you desire. But bead blasting will get rid of all the corrosion that is in the pits etc. Do not sand blast that is too abrasive.

Yeah, bead blasting is probably the best way to go. I've had several corroded gun parts cleaned this way and they turn out really well.

Awsome MG42! It was a steal at $700!

[roughshooter]

Dear Sir,When you have finished the rust removal make sure that you see the work of any gunsmith that offers to hot blue it BEFORE you have it re-blued. Old style bluing tecjniques are not always used these days, so make sure you specify exactly what you want.I have just had a gun nearly ruined.Regards Craig.

[ChrisCook]

Mg42

Folke Myrang wrote Universal Machineguns, the bible on the 34 and 42. He lives in Norway.....I can't find my copy of the book right now, but I believe his address and contact info is in the book...he might help ya out. Chris...

[Cincylance]

Folke's email address is folkem@online.no

Cincylance

[C7riS]

Thanks for all the input, I will definatly check out panzer46.net but the registration takes ages.

I'm not quite sure yet how to best preserve the gun, It will never be fired again but I would like to get all the holes away either with sanding or solder fills, so it would appear as original or 'mint' as possible.

Specifically, im concerned with how the blueing process would affect the solder fills , would it acchieve the same hue and intencety as the original steel?

Is there any special brand or type of blueing that should be used to mach the original mg42 finish, I found like a million types
Anyone done hot blueing themselves?


Im a collector of ww2 militaria myself so dont worry, I would go about destroying a piece of history.
I would like it to get as close to the real thing, cause as I see it, now its just a earthdug piece, and anything I do to it blueing etc, wouldnt degreade the price or desireability of this piece, opinions?

cheers,
c7ris

[Svt40]

If you fill the pitting with anything it will never achieve the look you want with blueing or parkerizing. The filler will either not take the finish or come out a far different shade than the base metal. If you fill in all the pitting your only option will be to a paint like Duracoat

However if you leave the pits open after bead blasting you can finish it and have no isses other than not having the look you desire.