I want to buy a deko MG42. Is this an original?

[Thomas Anf]

So I have for some time tried to buy a real original deko MG42 without any luck. By real original I mean original WWII german made MG42. Not a yugo or fake stamped MG42.

I must confess to my lacking knowledge of the MG42 and MG34 world. I'm learning but slowly. And I don't want to spend big money on something that is not original. Therefore I hope you will help me

The dream is to have a numbers matching deko, but I think I'm all out of luck there... but I did find this I have posted pictures of. The seller is not easy to get pictures out of, but I did manage to get some. What do you think? is it original or fake?

[gurtsack]

Hello, i think that it is a good one. But can you post a few pics to the front sight, please.

Regards

[Thomas Anf]

I will ask for a picture of the front sight right away

[Thomas Anf]

[Bern]

It appears that the barrel is missing.
Does the seller have one to go along with the weapon?
Regards
Bern

[gurtsack]

Hello,
The air jacket is good for Maget (cra) for 1943.

[Thomas Anf]

It appears that the barrel is missing.
Does the seller have one to go along with the weapon?
Regards
Bern

the deko here is sold without barrel and bolt. Its okay for me :-)

[Sturmtiger]

Look ok but someone scratched out the BH eagle which was above the serial no (more precisely above the letter “a”)

[Sturmtiger]

So its from a Bundesheer storage i assume. Anyway either you buy an origi which was used after 1945 or you have to buy from the ground a digged up one. The chance to find an untouched-since-1945 but factory conditioned mg is almost 0%. Those were made for heavy duty not like a stupid Faberge-egg to stare it behind a glass.

[Thomas Anf]

Look ok but someone scratched out the BH eagle which was above the serial no (more precisely above the letter “a”)

yes I noticed that as well... and the scratch and the rest of the receiver looks to be re-parkerized. Its okay as long as it is original and not a yugo the has been stamped to look like an original... Although the scratched out eagle is a bummer

[Thomas Anf]

So its from a Bundesheer storage i assume. Anyway either you buy an origi which was used after 1945 or you have to buy from the ground a digged up one. The chance to find an untouched-since-1945 but factory conditioned mg is almost 0%. Those were made for heavy duty not like a stupid Faberge-egg to stare it behind a glass.

it should have been in a private collection but I think it has been reparkerized. because as you say the chances are like non existing. However I'm not looking for a factory conditioned MG. The best would be one that would show use and wear

[Sturmtiger]

It was in a BH or BW service for sure, and the fact that it spent its last 10-20 years in a collection doesnt change that. Still a nice and original example but for sure its a pity that someone erased a part of its history. If you can get it for a fair price go for it. Only the buttstock worths about 400 eur (if its ‘thentic€