Opinions on Panzermantel MG34

[ChrisCook]

I'm looking to get some consensus on the bluing on this Panzermantel shroud. It's a late war shroud DOT 1945 in the a letter block. There is signs of more bluing under (backside) of the rear sight, very little, if any bluing remains on the shroud itself while a slight amount remains on the rear sight itself. I'm guessing that this late it not have been uncommon to leave the factory "in the white"? Or, is it just a well used example with almost all the bluing lost? Not the best photos, but hopefully enough to get my thoughts across on it. Chris...

[ChrisCook]

shroud

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[ChrisCook]

Panzermantel

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[ChrisCook]

pzmntl

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[ChrisCook]

panzermantel

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[Cincylance]

It's hard to tell from the pics, but it looks like it might be phosphate finished.

I have a dot panzermantel, I'll check to see how close to yours mine is. I can't recall the date.

Cincylance

[mudsharkangler]

Chris,

Mine is a little later in the "a" block. same type of finish. It looks like the shroud on mine is completely "in the white". I think there is a very weak phophate finish on the back part (where the markings are) anyways.

[mightymouse]

Looks like typical late war finish 'dot' i would say.

[me6_130]

Hello Chris,

the ones I have (dot 43) don't show much blueing due to use, except for the little area behind the back sight. For sure they had a nice blueing. I would say your's had a phosphate finish as others mentioned before.

Carles

[michaelangelo]

Panzermantal finish

Chris,

I have a 1945 dot panzermantel and it is the purple phosphate finish similar to but lighter in color than a byf mauser extractor.

Michaelangelo

[gurtsack]

why not!!!

hello, normally there is a waffenamt on a mantel!
have you got this in your mantel?
best regard
gurt

[Alan Smith]

Chris,

This is a difficult item to photograph, but here are a few that may help. In my opinion, the blueing did not adhere well to the special armour steel used in the jacket. In other words, I don't think they came out of the factory in the white but, rather, the blueing quickly wore off the armored portion of the jacket.

Alan

[Alan Smith]

Photo 2

[Alan Smith]

Photo 3

[Alan Smith]

Photo 4