My 1938 S/243 MG34 - WaA280 markings?

[Patty D]

Hello everyone,
below is a picture of the main markings on my new MG34, more pictures of the whole gun to follow. I'd be very pleased if someone could help me with the WaA280 markings, as I have never seen these on an MG34 before?
Thanks,
Patrick

[phil337]

Hi Patty the waa280 codes are correct for S/243 Mauser-Werke Borsigwalde for a 1938 mg34

[Patty D]

Hi Patty the waa280 codes are correct for S/243 Mauser-Werke Borsigwalde for a 1938 mg34

Hi Phil, should it not be WaA 26 for Mauser?


Below are some more pictures of the MG34, its is a very nice "4 hole" example, 1938 dated, Mauser manufactured. I believe it to be the second earliest serial numbered 1938 Mauser MG34 still in existance! It is fully deactivated to UK old specifiaction. The condition, is with some scratratches to the barrel jacket and receiver, but I personally prefer the 'used' look, and this isn't a Russian capture. It'd be great to see what others think about this one, so please feel free to leave a comment.
Patrick

[Patty D]

[phil337]

No the 280 code is a correct earlier code, the waa26 was a later code assigned along with the 2 letter manufacterer code ar for Mauser,some later s243were waa26 coded, you can find 1939 mg34 with waa26.It looks great, be sure to upload more pictures, is the rear receivier also matching, and top cover?

[Patty D]

Hi Phil, thanks for your reply, and I will definitely post some more pictures of it, and of it stripped down. Sorry, I should've phrased it better, but what I was getting at, was that the WaA280 code isn't often seen, if at all, on the MG34 barrel shroud, but only on the MG34S and MG34/41! So this may be a first on a standard MG34? Patrick

[me6_130]

It is nice to see a "four hole" MG34!! Pity the receiver looks forced match Is the rest of it matching?

Carles

[jonathanseverin]

Hello, A very nice Mg34, and I have never seen waa280 stamped on the barrel jacket. I have a s/243 1939 dated and it's as are all other Mausers I have seen waa26. Myrvang lists the earliest Mauser as 1938 dated serial 3697 waa26, So at the most only the first few thousand Mauser made will carry waa280. You don't see to many early Mausers. Myrvang does mention the use of waa280 being used on Mg34/S Mg34/41, but not on the standard Mg34. Very nice, Jonathan.

[phil337]

what are the waff markings on the rear left hand side of the receiver? looks like the ones on the top rear have been scrubbed, and number force matched? is the top cover matching?

[Patty D]

Hi Phil, the number on the top-cover isn't matching, and the waff marks are WaA 11 so also not matching, but as Jonathan stated, it's the WaA 280 markings on the barrel jacket that are the important thing about this example, as I don't think it has ever been seen before on a standard MG34!

[phild]

My remarks are not specific to this MG, as mentioned the WA inspector assigned to Mauser Borsigwalde (S/243 and later 1938 just 243 for the makers code) was number 280. Late in 1938 the inspector/staff numbered 26 was brought in and replaced the 280 staff.

I mention this because it is possible to find some weapons (at least k98ks from 1938 Borsigwalde) with both the 280 and 26 WaA stamps originally placed on them during the transition and perhaps even with some of the dated 1939 if parts a few months old were used on them. The parts were inspected and stamped as they (the individual part) were finished and then inspected not when the entire weapon was assembled.

[mightymouse]

I agree- I have an mg34 that has 280 on some parts and 26 on others- some parts have both in fact!!

[phil337]

Hello, A very nice Mg34, and I have never seen waa280 stamped on the barrel jacket. I have a s/243 1939 dated and it's as are all other Mausers I have seen waa26. Myrvang lists the earliest Mauser as 1938 dated serial 3697 waa26, So at the most only the first few thousand Mauser made will carry waa280. You don't see to many early Mausers. Myrvang does mention the use of waa280 being used on Mg34/S Mg34/41, but not on the standard Mg34. Very nice, Jonathan.

The mention of the waa280 waffenamt on the mg34/s mg34/41 is regards to a seperate company ERMA, this was seperate from Mauser, both Mauser early waffenamt and ERMA share the same waa280, as stated waa280 is an Earlier Mauser Waffenamt for 1938, you can clearly find s/243 1938 k98 with the 280 code

[Paul Ba]

I study some Mg34 and never see WaA280 stamp before! Do you have any more WaA280 stamps on this mg? nice.

[Patty D]

I study some Mg34 and never see WaA280 stamp before! Do you have any more WaA280 stamps on this mg? nice.

Hello, there were a few other 280 stamps, but I no longer have this MG34 so I can't get any pictures, sorry.