MG34 Lafette Questions

[Tim G]

Hi Gents,

I have the opportunity to purchase a 34 Lafette. From the description of the colour it would appear to be a post war refurb ( yugo perhaps as its that pale green colour ) It is dated 41 and coded.

When the refurbs were carried out were all of the original componants retained?

With the experiances out there, are there any specific things to watch out for.

As a mechanic by trade, ex services, how much of a nightmare are they to strip down and clean up to original paint schemes?

Any and all info most welcome, pictures of points to note on componants would also be most helpfull.

Regards and hopefully thanks in advance

[Gary Cain]

Hi Tim,

Here in the States we have a product called Jasco that, with care, can be used to remove one layer of paint at a time. That being said if you are planning to do a complete teardown be careful to take notes as there are a couple of areas where you can get in trouble. I tore mine down about ten years ago and have since lost my notes . All that I have seen were original weapons that were then redone. The '42 Lafettes on the other hand run 50/50 post war made to rebuilds in my experience.


Cheers
Gary

[Tim G]

Cheers for that Gary,

Going to concentrate on the 34 laffette first.....might address the 42 if a babe comes along :-)

Any titbits on correct location of markings and serials if any ? Also would the
field grey be correct for this date ? Can't remember when they changed to
dark yellow.
Many thanks
tim

[Gary Cain]

Hi Tim,

The waffenampts are located on the legs near the body of the tripod and of course on the traverse and searching fire mechanism. There should be a data plate there as well that will have indirect fire information on it. As for color I have seen both grey and ordnance tan as the base color, I believe it was totally dependant on what was available at the time.

Cheers
Gary

Cheers for that Gary,

Going to concentrate on the 34 laffette first.....might address the 42 if a babe comes along :-)

Any titbits on correct location of markings and serials if any ? Also would the
field grey be correct for this date ? Can't remember when they changed to
dark yellow.
Many thanks
tim

[ChrisCook]

Lafette Questions

Folke Myrvang (author of Universal Machineguns, the bible on German MG's) strongly advises not to tear one down. I wouldn't do it personally, but it can be done. The MG34 markings are easily found, they are on the top of the cradle near the backend. The MG42 Lafettes seem to cause trouble as there are a lot of postwar reworks and postwar production out of Yugoslavia. Beware when treading there. Ryan Schee (zwillingsockel.com if I remember right) might be able to help with your refurbs. Chris...

[Seigfried]

Any and all info most welcome

Here you go Tim, one that I prepared earlier!

http://dev.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...lafette+tripod

[Tim G]

Nice work

Well.Siegfried......what can i say........ Hope you don't mind but im going to save those pic's, most likely help a great deal.

Info i have on the one availiable is it's dated 41 so i will keep it correct as it were and use the dark field grey scheme......having said that my 34 is a DOT 44 so i have a bit of latitude thier.

Slowly working my way thro picking up some more gear, Gurtrommel, and Patronekasten to start with. Beltring is comming up so if i can i will look to find an optic setup , problem with that is the prices get a bit silly thier.

Good links to the RAL Colour codes as well so that will be a boon.

Thanks for all the great info guys! Keep it comming!

regards
Tim

[artie in miami]

watch out for....

In Folke's book, he mentions that several mg34 lafettes had been redone post war and made to fit the mg42...check in his book the section about the lafettes ( I am assuming that you have his book...you should buy books before buying anything German from WW2). Read up on that section to be sure you get what you are looking for.

artie in miami