MG34 Bipod marking.

[pitfighter]

Hi there,

I was inspecting and noting all the markings and codes on my MG34 DOT 1944.

The underside of the bipod joint is marked/stamped - Pz.B 39/2689

I thought this meant it was pilfered from a Pzb 39 - but that firearm uses a totally different bipod (more like the 08/15 bipod) with a different joint.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Pit.

[phil337]

Hi,
I was under the impession the PZ.B39 uses that same type bipod as the mg34, maybe with very small differences, your bipod is obviously one of the pzb39 type ones used for your mg34.

http://world.guns.ru/atr/de/pzb3-pzb39-e.html

[pitfighter]

Yup - in those pics it is using the same bipod - thanks, solved.


Pit.

[me6_130]

Yes, not only the MG34 uses that style of bipod but together with some Pz.B, the MG13, MG42 and the ground MG15. I guess your's with the stamp must be very valuable for Pz.B collector's

Carles

[pitfighter]

Interesting what you learn from this hobby.
I would love a PZ.b for the collection - I will of course trade this bipod to any PZ.b collector who needs it, just get me an original MG34 bipod - this is a movie gun, and part of my shooting collection - not a museum collection, if that makes sense

I have the MG13 which has the same bipod - my first MG34 had a ZB30 bipod, lol - (IMA said it was correct!)

Here are some pics of the MG34.
The barrel is DOT 43 - lots of markings if anyone is interested.



And the front end markings, for the interested.
This looks to have been refinished, and a half hearted attempt to remove waffen eagles was made, they remain in many places.
But only a trace below the COF stamp on the top cover.




Pit.

[me6_130]

Serial number 3114 is not original. The font is too big, out of place and batch letter missing.

Carles

[jonathanseverin]

Sadly Carles is correct about the serial number on the barrel jacket.
But hey Pit, every cloud has a silver lining and it's a cool bipod to have.
I would keep it.
Jonathan.

[pitfighter]

Oh, I don't mind, lads - as I said this is working tool from the armory, not a collectors item - I have been rotating out the collectors items (G41's, Lugers with capture papers) and replacing them with guns I can shoot and rent out for income (refurbished and semi-converted German MGs.)

If you run into someone with an anti tank rifle, needing a bipod let them know about this one, as it will continue to be used and I hate to see it beaten up if it is rare.

I don't know why someone would go to the trouble of altering the serial number - this was a parts kit that was built into a semi -- it was likely a post-war armory somewhere - as I said the waffen marks have all been sanded to the point of almost not being there and then blued over the top.

Thanks for the info.

[me6_130]

It is possible that the weapon was used buy some army post war so, in order to keep inventory, they needed a matching weapon.

Carles