Portuguese MG34 laufschutzer.

[Hans Zeug]

Hi, a few questions about theses barrel carriers if I may.
Are the canvas lux straps period mint German canvas and this is the colour a mint strap would, be remembering that these carriers have been in a box for most of their lives. The green paint I imagine was applied in the German factory where they were made, is this how ordnance green might have looked when new, if not did the Portuguese decide what shade of green they wanted. Seeing as these are all dated 43 I can't imagine that the Germans would be to fussed about the right shade of green especially as the 34 was being replace by the MG42. Thanks in advance David.

[Hans Zeug]

Images 3,4.

Images 3,4.

[me6_130]

Items produced in Germany under Portuguese contract specifications. Portuguese green, not German ordnance. Spanish contract wasn't so touchy, they were straight line production Dunkelgelb.

Carles

[Hans Zeug]

Straps.

Ok thanks, you wouldn't have thought they would bother at the stage of the war (given that these four are 43 dated) when things weren't going to well, although they could not know that they would lose at the end. So the canvas I assume is normal German material/lux? Thanks again. David.

[me6_130]

What is a bit unusual of the canvas straps is the colour, a bit too light green possibly due to being unused items, but they can be found in different shades of tan and green in the Wehrmacht issue items....dirt and oil adding even darker tones. Construction is standard.

Other accessories for the Portuguese contract were also painted in that dark green: ammo boxes and ammo drums. I guess Germany got very well paid for all those items. It was mentioned in Folke's first book about MG34-42s. Spanish contract items were mostly paid with essential raw materials for the German war production.

Carles

[Hans Zeug]

Canvas straps.

Hi, yes my thoughts were that, that they are factory fresh having been in a box for many years. I see there is a complete BMW R12 outfit in navy colours for sale that was part of the Portuguese contract, in a similar near unused condition as the MG boxed sets. Thanks and regards David.