Ammo drum question

[Mccallion]

Hello All,
I picked up this mg34/42 ammo drum from a friend recentaly and he said that it was a barn find in normandy when he was visiting normandy back in the 90s, once i brought the drum home and was trying to put it on my feed trayi noticed that the drum would not fit due to a little metel tab that was rivited on and then noticed that no other drums that i have have this tab and was wondering what it was for, a variation of just the way a manufacture made it ?
also if the number on the back means? the number is in white and is 3786











All help is appriciated

thanks

McCallion

[me6_130]

I know some drums had a 'cut-out' at that area, so they could be filled fast, but a didn't know they had the extra piece riveted or even factory done. Perhaps some other member can provide more information.

Carles

[searchandfind]

I know some drums had a 'cut-out' at that area, so they could be filled fast, but a didn't know they had the extra piece riveted or even factory done. Perhaps some other member can provide more information.

Carles

This modification was done in the field by the armourer. The "Waffenmeister" cut out a piece of the drum to put the loaded belt easier into the drum. A small piece as shown was riveted on the cover of the drum. I´ve got also such modified drums in my collection.

Very often the armourer wrote the serial number of the gun onto the drum.

Best regards,
Christian