MG34/42 bolt and lafette bolt box question.

[Hans Zeug]

Hello, couple of questions with regard to the bolt box fitted to my 42 lafette.I've just tried to fit the 34 and 42 bolt into the box.The MG42 bolt is I think a post war bolt (long part number,Bundy?) I don't know if the postwar bolts are of a different length or not but niether of these bolts will fit into the box. The box fitted has rivets to attach the inner sprung metal tang to the lid which I assume is to hold the bolt securely and I'm assuming that this is the correct box for the 42 bolt as this retaining piece of metal would fit onto the 42 bolt with its slimmer body. Your comments are welcome.Best regards David.

[Hans Zeug]

Bolt box pictures.

Lafette bolt box pictures.Regards David.

[me6_130]

You MG42 bolt does look post war, but might it not be Yugo make? Have you tried fitting it in 'closed' position?

Carles

[Von Kleist]

I don't know much about '42s but your bolt has German marks on it.

dot & jwh


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[Hans Zeug]

Two different bolts.

I don't know much about '42s but your bolt has German marks on it.

dot & jwh


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Hi,the picture shows two different bolts,the MG34 bolt has WW11 German markings,whilst the MG42 has postwar markings.See pic below.Cheers David.

[phil337]

Hi,

Its a correct ww2 mg42 spare bolt box, in order for it to fit you have to take out the anti bolt bounce spring, its the large spring inside the bolt carrier also you have to tilt the bolt at an angle with the sear catch base on the botton of the carrier faced down. mine fite perfectly in my bolt box.

The reason why the mg34 bolt wont fit is because A: the bolt box is for mg42 spare bolt, as the spring retainer in hte lid is specially designed for the 42 bolt carrier. B: its the second type mg34 bolt you have which is slightly longer than the first type. For these types of bolts to fit, an order was issued for the waffenmeister to make a small slit in the side of the box. Later on a factory improved version of the bolt box was relased so the newer style 34 bolt could fit, these types have a semi curcular disc piece on each end so the added length of the new style 34 bolt could fit.

[phil337]

just as a note aswell what could cause the issue, you have got your mg42 bolt head fitted the wrong way round to the bolt carrier, needs to be the other way round.

[Hans Zeug]

Bolt box.

Hi,

Its a correct ww2 mg42 spare bolt box, in order for it to fit you have to take out the anti bolt bounce spring, its the large spring inside the bolt carrier also you have to tilt the bolt at an angle with the sear catch base on the botton of the carrier faced down. mine fite perfectly in my bolt box.

The reason why the mg34 bolt wont fit is because A: the bolt box is for mg42 spare bolt, as the spring retainer in hte lid is specially designed for the 42 bolt carrier. B: its the second type mg34 bolt you have which is slightly longer than the first type. For these types of bolts to fit, an order was issued for the waffenmeister to make a small slit in the side of the box. Later on a factory improved version of the bolt box was relased so the newer style 34 bolt could fit, these types have a semi curcular disc piece on each end so the added length of the new style 34 bolt could fit.

Hi,thanks for the information still learning something new everyday! I should have checked my copy of the Myrvang book as a picture in the book shows the two types of bolt box. So are you saying that the bolt would not be ready for immediate use with that spring having been removed? The MG34 bolt is out of a later gun, made so late it might well have missed the war! Best regards David.

[Von Kleist]

Duh!!!

I didn't read that part, sorry...


I thought it looked like a '34



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