Description Update 11/09/2020: Saddle drum magazine model is MG15
serial #842a, 8mm Mauser, 24" barrel with a mostly bright very good plus bore showing some light oxidation in the grooves and strong rifling throughout. This dot-coded and 1942-dated machine gun shows matching numbers on the receiver, barrel shroud and buttstock, with the remaining parts showing a mix of numbers, maker-codes and Waffenamts. The metal surfaces retain about 90% arsenal refurbished blue with most of the loss due to some areas along the rear receiver, gripstraps and triggerguard toning to a mild gray patina, some light high edge wear and scattered areas of blued-over light pitting. The dot code and 1942 date on the barrel shroud are very faint from refurbishment while the other markings remain intact and quite strong. The black grooved Bakelite grips remain in very good plus condition showing some scattered light handling marks and the left panel with a few tiny chips along the top edge. The dark brown smooth Bakelite buttstock is similar showing some overall light scuffs, some minor dings along the edges and strong serial number on the left side. The currently installed fire control group has been pinned to full auto only and a trigger group in original configuration is included; it is missing its left grip panel, the right panel is missing the two lower rivets and the metal surfaces retain about 90% arsenal refurbished blue showing some scattered light oxidation staining. The action seems to function well mechanically. Accompanying this arm is a whole host of wonderful original accessories including: Lafette tripod, four ammo cans containing ten 50-round belts each, two starter tabs, one "E" can with spare parts, one "P" can with lubricant containers, one ammo fortress box, one ammo can for cart mounting, one saddle drum with reproduction top cover, two assault drums with carrier, one ranging tool with case, a barrel changing mitt, leather sling, one brass catcher, one blank-firing barrel, two spare barrels with carry case, anti-aircraft mount, carry handle, winter trigger, a complete optical sight with case, light, battery case, periscope and rheostat and a complete gunner's case. The Lafette tripod is serial number "747a", dated 1943 with "ecy" maker code on the rear cover, matching "747" on the traverse arch and the search-fire mechanism is coded "bkh" with 1942 date and serial number that appears to be "4266a". The metal surfaces retain 80% of an old arsenal reapplied dark green paint that is flaking throughout exposing some of the underlying dark gray and red paint, the rear legs toning to plum-brown and the front a silvery gunmetal patina along with some other expected light dings from service. The green anodized aluminum sight mount is unmarked and appears to be a more modern replacement and the pads have been refurbished with a khaki cloth covering and a set of dvr 42-coded leather straps are included. All of the adjustment hardware seems to function well mechanically. The four ammo cans show varying shades of arsenal green paint with some light flaking and mild oxidation staining and the vast majority of belts are German wartime-made showing varying maker codes, dates and Waffenamt stamps. The spare parts "E" can shows a desert paint scheme with white stenciled "7055E" and contains a pair of tinted eye covers, three rubber caps, three belt starter tabs, two wrenches, brush, asbestos mitt, spare bolt carrier, complete spare bolt numbered "4668III" in very fine condition, spare feed tray and feed block, three-compartment tin with a number of assorted spare small parts, flash hider with case and spare recoil spring with case. The "P" can also shows a desert paint scheme with stenciled white "P" on the lid and contains two green cans marked "OLEO" and "PETROLEO" in very fine condition. The 250-round "fortress" ammo can is coded "kr43" with faint Waffenamt and retains much of its arsenal green paint and shows a few scattered light dings and the cart-mounted can is similar showing some light pitting beneath the paint and strong "bow" code with 41 date and Waffenamt. The saddle drum is coded "wa42" and retains about 80% original black enamel finish flaking to pewter gunmetal and the strap with some light fraying with strong markings throughout; the reproduction top cover and its leather case rate near excellent. The two assault drums with metal carrier retain perhaps 90% dark gray paint flaking to gray-brown patina and showing a few minor dings and handling marks. The carrier is coded "euh43" and the drums "hqu43" and "ddf" (one with Finnish stamp). The aluminum range tool shows a crisp Waffenamt and rates near excellent as does the canvas case. The mitt and brass catcher rate about very good showing light staining and moderate wear. The blank firing barrel is coded "ixm", the rear insert "cnz" and "hth" and rates very fine retaining about 90% original blue with some scattered light oxidation and a fine bore. One of the spare barrels rates near excellent retaining most of its original blue with a bright excellent bore and the other rates very fine showing some scattered light pitting and a very good bore with frosting in the grooves. The green-painted metal barrel case shows a faint maker code and some overall light dings and dents. The anti-aircraft mounting arm rates very fine, the nuts on the mount assembly are replacements and the assembly shows scattered oxidation staining and appears to be unmarked. The original MG Z sight is serial number "94328" and retains crisp markings with "K.F." and "cme" maker code. The body retains about 92% dark green paint with areas thinning to underlying red-tone paint along with some mild high edge wear and some of the exposed hardware toning to gunmetal gray. All knobs and adjustments devices seem to operate smoothly and the optics are just a little bit discolored but very fine and completely serviceable. The green metal case with strap rates very fine showing some light flaking and handling marks along the exterior, the interior showing Emil Busch maker ink-stamp and an inked number "2017". The case contains the two original colored filter inserts, rubber eye piece, cleaning brush and cloth. Other sight accessories include a gray-painted battery box, Busch sight illuminator with intact plug, rheostat and unmarked green-painted periscope all in near excellent condition, the periscope showing some light flaking and a few areas of minor oxidation staining. Finally there is a leather gunner's case that rates very good showing two missing rivets, one lost strap, minor crackling and strong markings. The case contains a complete spare bolt showing some light oxidation staining, belt starter tab, anti-aircraft sight, oil can, broken shell extractor, chamber cleaning rod, wrench and combination screwdriver / shell extractor; the contents show some scattered light oxidation staining and handling marks otherwise rating very good plus to very fine. We have even more MG 34 accessories available in the Online Auction! This is a really wonderful ensemble with practically everything the German machine gun collector needs. (13G9912-3) {C&R} [Fully Transferable on ATF Form 3 or 4] {CLASS III} (30,000/40,000)
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