My Lafette 42 restoration now underway.

[Tommygunn]

Thanks Pit. As you say, I wanted to do this by the book and so I did. I am very happy with it

Tom.

[Tommygunn]

Ok, I said I was going to add a few things just to conclude this.

First things first is to download, if you havn't already, this Yugo manual:
MG42 Lafette Disassembly Manual
https://www.box.com/s/05odmxaa6kk6cf4bljqq


Here is also some other interesting German MG stuff to add to your archive:

Maschinengewehr 34 Teil 2 MG Lafette
https://www.box.com/s/0vr94hci35jtwf7rny2t

WW2 German Infantry Small Arms
https://www.box.com/s/q10kdpz1m7gt30mzmsc6

Russian MG34 Manual
https://www.box.com/s/u6rm2myzwu1w2cj6y0z9


Now a couple of points about stripping and reassembling.

1) To remove the internal search fire mechanism from the outer, which is all contained in the adjuster collar marked '0 to 10' and the alloy mount, you need to be careful. Best thing to do is have the unit separated from the whole (see below) and remove any parts that are in the way i.e. trigger components. Next remove the two bolts in the top plate of the unit. You might think that it would just extract, however, there is a small leaf spring (Page 13, letter F in manual) which needs to be manipulated to the side with a small screwdriver to allow extraction. There will be some give to allow you to get at the spring.
I didn't realise this when I first attempted to take it apart, many moons ago, and while forcibly wrestling with it I snapped the leaf spring off at the root.

2) To remove the T&E assembly from the cradle spring arms it takes some considerable effort. First, remove the the cradle and T&E from the tripod frame. Remove the slot head bolts that retain the spring arms to the T&E yoke with a broad, flat blade screwdriver. Remove the rear end cap from the outer cradle. You can, if you wish, remove the inner gun mount cradle from the outer by spreading the outer arms - a friend is very handy here. It is the spreading of the outer cradle arms that also allows the removal of the T&E yoke from the spring arms. You may also need to twist the yoke/unit and pull on the spring arms to give you more space/slack to separate the parts. Putting the outer cradle on the floor, yoke/T&E uppermost, with a foot on the cradle, while spread to better aid removal.

3) It is most important to follow the steps as shown in the manual when it comes to disassembling and assembling of the T&E unit. Reason being, and in my haste after my recent restoration, when it came to putting all the parts back together, I failed to heed the manual instructions and attached the grip/oil bottle prior to fitting the internal gears and components. After I fitted the grip/oiler I realised that it prevented me from sliding in the axle for the double ended gear. I had to take it all apart.

Regards,
Tom.

[42rocker]

Nice added info that you are sharing with us.
THANKS AGAIN
You did a great job on yours.

Later 42rocker

[Tommygunn]

Ok, here's the question, in your opinion what is the market value for my Lafette (minus Mgz34 optic) - Pounds, Dollars, Euros?

Cheers,
Tom.

[rgus48]

What I great job. I have both an MG34 and a MG42 Lafette that I would love to do but I am wondering what kind of hit, if any, are you taking on the value? Also do you need the special wrenches to disassemble them?

[Tommygunn]

Considering that it was overpainted in heavy handed Austrian paint then I've taken no hit at all. If it was in it's May 1945 finery then I would not touch it as that would be sacrilege.

No special tools are required only metric spanners and flat blade screwdrivers and a few other basic odds and sods.

Tom.

[rgus48]

Tom; I think it looks as good as it did when it left the factory and I meant no offence at all. I was wondered about origional vs restored value.

[Tommygunn]

There was nothing to take offence at, why did you think I'd been offended? Never crossed my mind.

If you have an original paint Lafette then, of course, it is better for so many reasons than a restored or a Yugo but obviously they are thin on the ground. So, basically, you have a tier system and I would rate mine (blows trumpet) as one or two rungs down from an original untouched Lafette.

Tom