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MG-42


Kanemono
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German MG-42 Machine Gun. This gun has an original MG-42 receiver and barrel shroud that has been welded solid and approved by the BATF. Some of the parts from a Yugoslavian MG-53 (the Yugoslavians used original WWII parts mixed with MG-53 parts after WWII). This gun also has the MG-42 AA sight fitting on the top of the barrel shroud along with a 50 round drum.The MG 42 fired a 7.92mm round. With a muzzle velocity of 2,480 feet per second the MG 42’s effective range was nearly 1,100 yards. The gun used a 50-round flexible metal belt feed, or, alternatively, a 75-round snail drum magazine. A full 50-round belt of ammo would be depleted in a 21/2-second burst. To permit longer fire bursts, MG 42 crews normally linked together several 50 round belts. Ammunition boxes (weighing 22 pounds each) held five separate belts totaling 250 rounds per box. A good crew could shoot 250 rounds in 12½ seconds of continuous fire, or 20-30 seconds by firing quick bursts. The MG 42 fired a 7.92mm round. With a muzzle velocity of 2,480 feet per second the MG 42’s effective range was nearly 1,100 yards. The gun used a 50-round flexible metal belt feed, or, alternatively, a 75-round snail drum magazine. A full 50-round belt of ammo would be depleted in a 21/2-second burst; the 75 round drum in 31/2 seconds. To permit longer fire bursts, MG 42 crews normally linked together several 50 round belts. Ammunition boxes (weighing 22 pounds each) held five separate belts totaling 250 rounds per box. A good crew could shoot 250 rounds in 12½ seconds of continuous fire, or 20-30 seconds by firing quick bursts.

 

 

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I recall the West German army was still using the MG-34 and the MG-42 clear into the 1980's. They had been re-chambered to 7.62 NATO. I also recall the Egyptian Army having some of these as well, though I seem to recall that they were still chambered to 8 mm. I believe that the Israeli army used these and other German weapons in their fight for and defense of their country.

 

I've had many American WWII veterans tell me that the sound these guns made was akin to the sound of canvas ripping. The weapons cycled so fast that there was no discernable gap in between the rounds firing. One vet said it was the scariest sound in the world.

 

Allan

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I think the Bundeswehr still uses the MG3 (7.62 version of the MG42), and so do the Danes, Swiss and probably more armies around the world.

 

The ammodrum has the typical Yugoslavian light green paint but since they used loads of original WW2 drums it wouldn't surprise me if this is one of them... Any stamped markings visible under the paint?

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