Mg34

[Scott A. Hess]

IMO quite a nice one, the flash makes some of it looked a bit dinged, but dosnt look so in person. Includes all the bells and whistles, 5 barrels/4 barrel carriers with slings, MG pouch with all tools and the AA sight is PERFECT without a ding or scratch or any warpage. Has two canvas/leather/horsehair action covers, the original manuel, sling and more. I've always wanted one and this one is the one I've wanted.

[Scott A. Hess]

down the barrel with site, the bipod is quite pristine. Per manual only about 400 rounds tested over the years in each barrel.

[Scott A. Hess]

AA sight

[Scott A. Hess]

Barrel markings, feed cover has typical markings and Konstruktion Rheinmetall Borsig. The sight markings in person are not so white, but have turned a nice cream yellow/white patina. All the original paint remains for the sicher/feuer einzel/dauer and portguese abbreviations. It's 43 dot manufacture, as I've been told and read all of this particular 500 units were. Many thanks to those that have pm'd me and helped with info. It does obviously lack a receiver, but I've managed to track down a real nice one. Some parts are blued, the majority I understand simply painted in a black lacquer. The bipod is 43 kur maker marked and Wa stamped. Most every part including the spare barrel carriers carry the same 7710b designation. I'll post the tripod later, it is in wonderful condition, HOWEVER, it is of post war Portuguese manufacture, but does have the adapter to fit onto the bipod mounts nicely. It retains most of its original paint, and is not in a funky Norwegian color. I wish it was of german pre 45 manufacture, but it still displays well.

[Scott A. Hess]

Shot of the MG pouch and contents, and barrel carriers. I'm still awaiting the small armourers tool kit whose contents fit into a smaller sized mg ammo type canister and the canister is a tri color camo. Also has with two small "oil tins" in another mg type container. Please excuse my " over exuberance" I've just wanted this piece for two decades.

[robinhood]

Very nice, nice to have all those original bits of kit. I can see why it would look nice out on display...But like you say.....Shame its not a War time mg34.
Regards Rob

[Grossfuss]

Mg34

Hi,
Your MG34 IS a wartime gun, just not issued to the German forces but sold in a batch to the Portuguese - read all about it in Folke Myrvang's book.
These were imported into the UK by Ryton's back in the 80's and sold deactivated with all the accessories except spare bolts and barrels.
One of the toolkits in the three-colour camo tin was for sale at Beltring last week for a tremendous price!
You're a lucky man to have one with all its "bells and whistles"!
Best regards,
Grossfuss

[Scott A. Hess]

Very nice, nice to have all those original bits of kit. I can see why it would look nice out on display...But like you say.....Shame its not a War time mg34.
Regards Rob

Thanks Rob, the MG is indeed wartime,(dot 1943) its the dreibein that is of postwar Portuguese manufacture.

[Scott A. Hess]

Hi,
Your MG34 IS a wartime gun, just not issued to the German forces but sold in a batch to the Portuguese - read all about it in Folke Myrvang's book.
These were imported into the UK by Ryton's back in the 80's and sold deactivated with all the accessories except spare bolts and barrels.
One of the toolkits in the three-colour camo tin was for sale at Beltring last week for a tremendous price!
You're a lucky man to have one with all its "bells and whistles"!
Best regards,
Grossfuss

Thanks for the kind words Grossfuss. I was checking the barrels last night, and was also surprised to see that all are 40 dated, and heavily waffenmarked, and each barrel is also numbered the same as the rest of the gun, 7710 and sequentially numbered 1-4, only one of the barrels is not of the 7710 designation, odd but that's the way it came. As far as the armourers kit goes, I saw a pic of one, this one is identical, fits into a lightweight ammo can, opens up, has all the tools, and appears to have drawers that pull out with other small tools. Quite nice looking, hope to have that very soon. I'll take a shot of it all set up when the dreibein and kit are here in a couple of weeks and cleaned up a bit.

I will have to get the book you have mentioned, its been recommended by several forum members.

[Grossfuss]

Mg34

Hello again,
Just as a footnote - apart from the special Portuguese markings by the trigger on your MG34, the big difference on export weapons produced during the war is the presence on the top cover of the contractor's name "Rheinmetall Borsig".
On a German issued weapon the relevant 3-letter code would be used as is the "dot" on the barrel (Waffenfabrik Brunn, I think, in Brno, Czechoslovakia).
Around the same time you could also buy a 2cm Flak, also ex-Portuguese, but these usually have the "Mauser" banner stamped on them, plus Portuguese text where applicable.
Delve into K98k rifles and there's a Portuguese version of that, with a different foresight assembly and the Portuguese crest on the receiver.
It amazes me that at the height of the war the Germans still had an export line going!
Interesting old hobby isn't it.
All the best,
Grossfuss

[Scott A. Hess]

Hello again,
Just as a footnote - apart from the special Portuguese markings by the trigger on your MG34, the big difference on export weapons produced during the war is the presence on the top cover of the contractor's name "Rheinmetall Borsig".
On a German issued weapon the relevant 3-letter code would be used as is the "dot" on the barrel (Waffenfabrik Brunn, I think, in Brno, Czechoslovakia).
Around the same time you could also buy a 2cm Flak, also ex-Portuguese, but these usually have the "Mauser" banner stamped on them, plus Portuguese text where applicable.
Delve into K98k rifles and there's a Portuguese version of that, with a different foresight assembly and the Portuguese crest on the receiver.
It amazes me that at the height of the war the Germans still had an export line going!
Interesting old hobby isn't it.
All the best,
Grossfuss

Very interesting, do you know if they were exporting these weapons for raw materials or simply cash?