FG42 - Where is it Now???

[Tom Kibler]

A great photo that has made the rounds... Just thought I'd share it again. Look at all of those captured pieces in the background!

[ValhallaMilitaria]

Great photo of perhaps my all time favorite battle rifle.

[Mark C.]

I've never seen one to see the scale before.....looks much smaller than I thought it was.

[Petroleum 1]

Great photo i wonder if it was a bring back. Ver 1 gun it would be worth thousands right now.

[Gran Sasso]

What happens with its bolt?

[Douglas Jr.]

I've never seen one to see the scale before.....looks much smaller than I thought it was.

Same as you.
I had the opportunity to see one in a Military Museum in Buenos Aires (Argentina) years ago and I was surprised (and somewhat disappointed) to see how small it is.
Douglas.

[Petroleum 1]

What happens with its bolt?

Hmmmm you have a good eye I missed that I bet the german soldier pulled it and threw the bolt away to deactivate it.

[jmcm]

This is one I owned 35 years ago and then sold it, to a guy in Germany Spreewerke VG-2 Bolt ,wish I had it back.

[Jeff V]

It looks like the bolt is there, it is the buffer and cocking handle that is missing. If the gun still exists it should be easy to spot with the gouge in the buttstock.

[Alan Smith]

I've always enjoyed this photo, first observing it years ago when the first edition of the Collector Grade Books "Death from Above" work was published, in which the photo appears.

I really like the battle damage that is visible, in the form of what appears to be a bullet or schrapnel strike to the left bipod leg, as well as a very clear bullet strike thru the metal buttstock (next to the soldier's hand, on the inside towards the pistol grip).

[Tom Kibler]

It looks like the bolt is there, it is the buffer and cocking handle that is missing. If the gun still exists it should be easy to spot with the gouge in the buttstock.

I suspect that the "gouge" in the butt stock is really where the sling swivel should be (but is missing).

Agreed - the cocking handle is missing...

[Tom Kibler]

(Images courtesy of the internet)

[Jeff V]

I suspect that the "gouge" in the butt stock is really where the sling swivel should be (but is missing).

Agreed - the cocking handle is missing...

The gouge I am referring to is next to the man's right index finger.

[Alan Smith]

The (apparently) mysterious "gouge" is the bullet hole that I mentioned earlier.

[Tom Kibler]

Missed that! My bad. I stand corrected.

TK