Unusual MG42 marking

[nibelung1876]

Hello guys,

I have an MG42, each part of it well marked with factory and WaA stamps.
But the receiver is marked with an E-number instead of the usual MG42 stamp.
There are no foreign or non-German stamps present on the receiver and on top of it are some WaA stamps.
So i was hoping if any of you guys could help me with the meaning and/or origine of this E-number.

Thanks in advance!

[Blanksguy]

nibelung1876,
What are the numbers at the rear of the Waffenampts on the top-rear of the receiver (?) WaA_ _ _ ..........or clear photo of these.

The bottom-markings on the left-rear (bottom-numbers) look like Post-war stampings used for accountability by serial-number. .......but the other markings above this location look similar to late-war "Steyr".

Regards, RichardS
US Army, Retired

[nibelung1876]

Hi Richard

I can clearly see a 23 after the scratch on te top of the receiver.
Hope you can see it at the picture.

[Patty D]

That would read "WaA623" had it not been for that scratch, for Steyr

[sean weber]

yeah and the top year code for 1944 PJ above the upper serial number is definitely Steyer's code .

[NORDLAND1]

The E-Number is a mystery.some people say its original Wehrmacht and other say thats postwar markings.but nobody knows the truth!!!!
the problem is it give only a few MG42 with the E-Number.
i know only 6 MG42 with the E-Number.There are 5 MG42 from Maget and only 1 from Steyr.

Unfortunately, i have to compare only a few Exemplares of MG42 with the E-Number.But what i can say is this:

Mystery 1 - E-Numbered MG42 are very rare!!!Why???
Mystery 2 - It gives only the E-Number by Maget and Steyr!Why???
Mystery 3 - I have never seen the E-Number on a MG42 what was by the Jugos in postwar.
Mystery 4 - I have never seen an E-Number by a MG53 (M53 Sarac) or a Mg1-3!!!Why???
Mystery 5 - Why the receiver was marked with an other Number and why dont remove the defect receiver easily from the inventory list???
Mystery 6 - Are the Numbers by the E-Number the date of the reworking or have these an other signification???

Nice Greetings NORDLAND

[nibelung1876]

So the E-number remains a bit of a mistery, i'm afraid.
Thank you guys for sharing your knowledge !!!!!!

Greetings, nibelung1876


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Looking for 2, or at least 1 Kurvenstücke (bridge) for the MG42.
Marked with WaA11 from Maget. Thanks.

[Haubentaucher]

I am pretty sure that those markings were made postwar. Dont forget that most of the MG42 seen today served more time in other armys than the Wehrmacht.
Haubi

[NORDLAND1]

Hello Haubi.
Have you any evidence for it?

Nice Greetings NORDLAND

[nibelung1876]

But why are there only 6 known so far?

I have mailed Folke Myrvang about this and this is his answer:

"As far as I can tell your gun has been renumbered a couple of times. I dont know the meaning of the letter E or who did the renumbering".

Steyer and Rheinmetall (former Maget) don't reply on my mails.

[Hinrik WD]

Hello all, very interesting thread here. I just acquired an MG42 and that one is also an "E" serial gun. Has "PJ" making it a Steyr gun. Also "BH" for Austrian Bundesheer. Has any new info come to light on these "E" guns?

Regards
Hinrik