Another MG34 article for your reading pleasure!

[Bergflak]

Just finished writing yet another article on the never-ending MG34 saga!
I have put together a study of the 3 different accessory boxes for the MG34; the Ergänzungskasten, the Vorratskasten and the Zubehörkasten. Comes complete with copies of the original documents, translated documents, a set of pictures to match the part lists and overview pictures of the actual contents!
Located on my homepage <!-- m -->http://www.bergflak.com<!-- m -->

Comments appreciated!

[robinhood]

Excellent work .
Very great detail and info on slings.

Regards Rob

[me6_130]

Wonderful Reidar,

I was quite lost trying to sort out what was what, but those photos say it all!!

Carles


PS how the hxll do you get the bipod inside the box????

[mightymouse]

Very nice Bergflak! Any idea when you will have time to finish your lafette page? I look forward to that!

Regards

[Hans Zeug]

Excellent article.

Hi Reidar,excellent article as always look forward to reading it in depth at work tonight. I always thought the Portuguese contract equipment was painted in the normal German equipment green but it seems that is not the case. Do you think that the shade of green that was used was requested by the portuguese, as the four barrel holders in my boxed MG34 have a nice factory applied finish? Really looking forward to the time you write an article on the lafette. The picture with all the 7.92 boxes being pilled up was one of a series taken showing the surrender of 1./s.Pz.Jg.Abt.512 in 1945. Regards David.

[Bergflak]

Very nice Bergflak! Any idea when you will have time to finish your lafette page? I look forward to that!

Regards

It's on it's way, it's just that it is so tempting to write those shorter articles. And I know just how nightmarish big the subject of the lafette will be! . The first two chapters are ready, except for the pictures. Gimme another 6 months

[Bergflak]

Hi Reidar,excellent article as always look forward to reading it in depth at work tonight. I always thought the Portuguese contract equipment was painted in the normal German equipment green but it seems that is not the case. Do you think that the shade of green that was used was requested by the portuguese, as the four barrel holders in my boxed MG34 have a nice factory applied finish? Really looking forward to the time you write an article on the lafette. The picture with all the 7.92 boxes being pilled up was one of a series taken showing the surrender of 1./s.Pz.Jg.Abt.512 in 1945. Regards David.

Hi again David!

The Portuguese contract MG34 accessories differ from the standard German paint scheme. There are no WH barrel carriers originally painted green as far as I know. The Portuguese boxes and Laufhalters has a secondary serial number painted on, in either white or black. The green paint appears to be factory applied in Germany, as the leather protectors on the handles are "unpainted". But it is strangely "un-German" none the less, so I expect that it is mixed after Porto specifications!
Another odd thing about the Porto stuff is that the webbing on the carrying sling for the Laufhalters also differs quite much from WH standards. And that doesn't actually make sense, as these items obviously saw very limited use and by that shouldn't have been changed.....

Working on the Lafette article......

[me6_130]

I'VE GOT IT, I've managed to put the bipod inside the box and it closes!!! Now I just have to fit the rest in.

Carles

[Bergflak]

I'VE GOT IT, I've managed to put the bipod inside the box and it closes!!! Now I just have to fit the rest in.

Carles

What did the neighbours say when you used the angle grinder so late in the afternoon? How many pieces did you have to cut it into to fit?

[me6_130]

Neighbours might be out, wife is working and kids are starving but I got everything inside it's 19:39 so I'm going to feed the kids.

Carles