General query 34/42 MG Belts

[timg]

Having been flipping thro the web looking for a Gurt 33 250 belt, ive found a couple of sites that offered up either a 100 rnd or 150 rnd belt with integral starter tab and tail connector tab.

No real reference in any of the write-ups or books ive got so can I assume they are :-

1) Fantasy pieces?

2) Some kind of waffenmeister job ?

The reason I ask is that I did get a 39 dated Gurt 33, spot on and correct and the dealer has one of the 150 shot ones. (the stuff he's got does not seem to be hooky)

Any advice is welcome

Regards

Tim

[Make]

In this site has a picture of the accessories of the MG34 in 1941:



There is a 250 round belt in it, if the picture isn't fake.

[gurtsack]

Hello,
I own a MG sling Olympia manufacturer that makes 100 shots in one piece.
it comes directly from the battlefield.

[timg]

re belts

Hi guys,

sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Interesting that you say 100 shot found out on site. I will have to dig into the belts a bit more.

During looking I saw a belt that was built of first pattern links, but dated 1944.

I was under the impression that as the links were improved by thinner material, thinner wire links and more pressings to stiffen that the older style dropped out of use but it would appear the older style were still being made in 44. Perhaps with the demand for belts when the MG42 was introduced meant they had to carry on making as much as they could?

I was digging through belts I bought a while ago, covered in grease etc that I got as a batch on the cheap. I found a BSW 1936 in amongst them! Didn't even know I had it. Check your stuff guys for hidden gems!

Regards

Tim

[Wilhelm]

Did I once hear of a "fortress belt" that held 300 rounds?

[timg]

Not heard of 300 round but yes they had 250 round fortress belt. Not always a fortress of course, could just have been a heavy gun team out in the field.

The standard cartridge box would take 300, so it might take a single belt of 250 but im not sure as I have never tried it. The angle of the rounds may prevent filling the box correctly.

Perhaps some one in the states or elsewhere has tried it with a 250 belt in a standard ammo box?

Regards

[Haubentaucher]

It is very easy to put the belts together. And a lot of soldiers in the frond did so. There are original findings with 100, 150, 200, 250, etc.
But there were all made by the Waffenmeister or the gunners themselves.
Regards,
Haubi

[me6_130]

I don't have any MG34/42 belt longer than 50 rounds...but I do have an MG17 belt piece of about 300 rounds. Not really the subject, though, but I guess it would work as well in an MG34.

Carles