MG42 Aluminium grips

[robs]

Hello, I have researched these Aluminium grips and they are generally discounted as post war. However I have also had feedback these were a batch of very late war grips. This one is on a Maget 1945 MG42.

What is correct?

Thanks.

[me6_130]

I believe aluminium was needed desperately for aviation, so I see no logic in using it to make some MG grips. After the war you could find aluminium all around, as war planes were not needed any longer, so you could make as many grips you wanted.


Carles

[NORDLAND1]

I do not know everything and there are sometimes parts that I did not know yet.
But i have the same opinion as Carles and i know aluminium grips only from postwar exemplares and only by the MG34.At a MG42 i have never seen before.
is it possible that you show us the grips in details with front and backside?
that would be interesting

Nice Greetings NORDLAND

[pitfighter]

Seen them for the MP40, too -

I was always under the impression they were post war.
They look cool on the MG42 - I might try to find some for mine.

[me6_130]

I believe there were also some made for the P38 or similar.

Carles

[nomadr]

Post war P.38 grips were made of stamped steel by the french. Russians made black plastic ones for the P.38.

Not saying there not out there? I just don't remember seeing them?

Bob

[robs]

Inside, so is it Yugo?

[NORDLAND1]

Very interesting!Thanks for the pics.
the right grip with the "G" and "6" is a copy of an original Grip (redbrown bakelite). the other maybe too but without markings.
Can you make pics from the other side too?i will check a detail.

NG NORDLAND

[robs]

Here is close up detail of exterior. If they are a very rare wartime variant, then I will keep them.

It was Heiko from Zib militaria Germany who advised me they have seen these from time to time and they have never been postwar.

[me6_130]

I still think post war.

Carles

[NORDLAND1]

O.k.,i can say that these two grips are not from the same producer!!!
i mean the "G 6" is a later one.Maybe produced 1944 (the original!)
the left i am not sure but its an earlier grip.

my opinion, that are postwar grips but the casting mold is from original grips. Aluminium grips to end of the war makes simply no logical sense.
But if I were you then I would keep them too!!!

Many Greetings NORDLAND

[bmg17a1]

The fifth prototype MG39 which was the precursor model to the production model of the MG42 had aluminum grips, but they are different than those pictured below. This info is is from the first edition of Myrvang's book on the MG34/42.
Making aluminum grips when the manufacture of plastic grips was well established and in use for all the years of MG42 production, and made by a variety of makers, doesn't make any sense. There is no practical advantage to aluminum and, as noted in other post, it was a strategic metal. Casting aluminum grips requires a slightly larger positive due to the shrinkage of the metal as it cools so it isn't just a matter of using existing plastic grips as positives for 'cope and drag" casting technique. Shrinkage in the casting process without accounting for it would change the location of the safety hole in relation to the screw holes, although the holes for the screws in the trip frame are large enough to allow for this.
Encasing existing plastic grip panels in a refractory material, adding sprues, burning out the plastic prior to pouring the molten aluminum is suggested by the numbers and letters cast onto the backside of the panels. These two panels were made from panels made by different makers, if the "lost wax" process was used to make the aluminum panels.
I'm of the opinion that these wet postwar grips due to the lack of any reasonable logic in producing them during the war. FWIW

[bmg17a1]

One more thing: keep in mind that the Israelis made aluminum grip panels for the grips of their MG34s post-war.......

[NORDLAND1]

yes, that was bmg17a1 writes makes absolutly sense for me.Nevertheless i would keep them as a comparison object.If you dont want them so send it to me.

Many Greetings NORDLAND