Hansie Bloeckmann
Senior Airman
Mussolini's "Zip-Line" in action..??
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Mussolini's "Zip-Line" in action..??
Thanks, AF- I was fairly certain it was a MG-42, appreciate your confirmation. I'm a bit more familiar with the appearance of the MG-42, as our M-60 has copied many of the MG-42's design features- How much different were the MG-34 to the MG-42 in weight, barrel changing time (and if headspacing was required when barrels were changed out in the field, etc. I am assuming that both German MG's had the same caliber.. HansieHansie - it's a MG42. The pressed metal, 'square' section cooling jacket is clearly visible, as are the pressed bipod legs, and the 'studded' cocking handle channel, and, just visible, the gas relief ports behind the muzzle flash suppressor.
Again, many thanks, AF, for sharing your expertise with us. I read that one factor in the very high cyclical RoF of the MG-42 was the unique bolt with rollers designed by the Germans-- and the open bolt concept as opposed to a closed bolt design might also allow a higher RoF-- with the attendant need for more frequent barrel changes. I wonder if the gun designers at Spandau ever developed stellite liners for the MG-42 barrels, to prolong barrel life.MG34 weighed just under 27 lbs, MG42 25 lbs, both used the 7.92 mm round. Barrel change on the MG 34 required removing the barrel from the sleeve, after partially stripping from the receiver, whereas the MG42 barrel could be very quickly changed by unlocking the latch on the right of the pressed metal sleeve, which disengaged the barrel and pushed it outwards, allowing it to be withdrawn from the side - an asbestos glove was provided for this action - and was required due to the high RoF at 1,200 rpm.
Overall, the MG42 was a simpler weapon to strip, and not as complex, or finely toleranced as the MG34, and also employed a slightly different locking system - a bit too much to explain here, and it's a long time since I demonstrated this, so I'm a bit rusty !
Look immediately in front of the canopy, behind where the MG cover would attach, is that a DF loop? Never saw one mounted there...hmmm?