MG34\42 Parts Pouch is there a difference?

[IanC]

Friends,

What, if any, are the differences between a MG34 & MG42 parts pouch (Werkzeugtashe) ?

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Cheers

Ian

[JPhilip]

Hello,
i'm not specialized in MG accessories but i think there's no difference. For me it is the same pouch, just some MG parts in it are different (MG34 bolt/MG42 bolt etc...). I do own a MG pouch "paperwork" dated 31/10/1944 and it says :
Werkzeugtasche 34 m. Inh. 42

[MP44_tom]

Correct, the pouches are the same, only the contents differ.

Tom
www.mp44.nl

[Grossfuss]

MG34/42 pouch

Could be wrong, but I don't think the MG42 AA sight will fit in the compartment riveted inside the front face of the MG34 pouch.
I'm sure I tried it in the past without success.
I have seen pouches without the sight compartment that I've assumed were for the MG42, or, equally, both as you can fit anything inside.
Grossfuss

[Bergflak]

Could be wrong, but I don't think the MG42 AA sight will fit in the compartment riveted inside the front face of the MG34 pouch.

Quite correct! The MG34 pouches changed form around 1943. Outwards appearence is identical, but the metal plate inside has a notch to one side allowing the longer stem of the MG42 AA sight to fit as well! So from 1943 onwards the MG pouch is accepting both guns accessories.

[Grossfuss]

MG34/42 pouch

Thanks Bergflak,
My pouch is a real oddity - dated 45 under the flap, still haven't worked out the three-letter code - leather loops, but strangely has the rivets in the front face but they don't do anything - there never was a compatment inside, they're just fitted into the artificial material (brain's gone - forgotten the name of the stuff! - it's an age thing!)
What fun we have!
Grossfuss

[IanC]

Thanks guys, some interesting opinions for which I am grateful.

Hopefully I'll be able to pick one up soon.

Cheers

Ian

[MP44_tom]

Great info, thanks !!

Now I have to be on the lookout for a MG34 pouch, and so there is yet another quest

Any pictures ? to show the difference ?


Tom
www.mp44.nl

[JPhilip]

you learn everyday in this hobby....so the paper dated october 44 is coherent as he states the pouch is meant for both MGs...

[Oelsardine]

Pouches-Differences

Hello,

i´ve got no Pouch of the MG34, but maybe this helps too:

the following Pictures show a Pouch which ist made for the MG13 or M/938:





Notice the stitching on the backside for the hanger of the MG13-Wrench.

Next pictures are taken from a hard worn Pouch which is marked hck 44 (Lerch G.m.b.H., Lederwaren-Fabrik, Berlin):






No stitching on the backside but a notch on the plywood for for the AA-Sight MG34 and a notch on the metal sheet maybe for the AA-Sight MG42. Unfortunately i dont have the sight for the MG42 for testing...not yet.

Ciao,

Axel

[Bergflak]

I'm on vacation in NL right now, but the last picture here tells it all!

Prior to 1943 all pouches had a straight-edge metal liner for the MG34 AA sight. After a certain date all pouches should have the new liner with a cut that will allow the metal liner to accept both types of AA-sight. The pouch would of course be filled with the correct tools according to which gun it was meant for (some of the tools are common, and some are gun-specific!).

[Grossfuss]

MG34/42 pouch

Remembered at the traffic lights on the way to work - Prestoff!
That photo's like one of those puzzles - I had to look at it a few times before it clicked - even with Bergflak's highlighting circle - now it's abundantly clear!
Also thinking about my pouch, without the front pocket - pure speculation as I've never worked in a Prestoff gunner's-pouch factory - but how's this for a theory?
I imagine the various panels were cut out by a press or similar and the holes punched out at the same time. Now, we decide we don't want to fit the inner pocket and we've got the holes all ready - simple - fill em' up with rivets!
Open to other suggestions - especially if old Tante Trude worked on the production line.
Regards to all,
Grossfuss

[Bergflak]

I guess your guess is as good as any's! I have seen the 45 dated pouches with rivets and no liner on the market, but no one knows for sure how they ended up like that........

[Grossfuss]

MG34/42 pouch

Thanks Bergflak,
Glad to hear others have been seen out there. Mine has a WaA and a large 1944 date on the inside of the front face which looks as though it was a marking applied to a sheet of Prestoff in its raw state prior to being cut up for manufacture.
Best regards,
Grossfuss