bolt box on ww2 lafette?

Post by **TOM R** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 6:18 pm

ok is the small box bolted on the ww2 mg42 lafette tripod for a spare bolt? I put an unmodded bolt in mine and it does not fit, I was able to force it and force the lid shut but that don't seem right, I do mean forcewith all my strength

multishots · Post by **multishots** » Wed Dec 28, 2005 7:53 pm

In Myrvang's book - German Universal Machingegun, p234, there is a picture of the differnt bolt box top covers for MG34 and MG42. The one with the 2 spring tabs is for MG34. My Lafette from AA has that too and the normal MG42 bolt won't fit either.

Post by **JBaum** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 12:11 am

Tom, do you do the Lafayette and trunnion thing just to watch me twitch?????

Lafayette was a French military man who fought with George Washington...... A Lafette is a ground tripod for a machine gun....

The bolt box dimensions for the 42 and 34 are different.

EZFEED · Post by **EZFEED** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 2:46 am

HAHAHAAH! And I live in Lafayette!

Abwehr · Post by **Abwehr** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 6:05 am

John and Tom,

I absolutly broke up laughing at your response to Tom's "Lafeyette". I could see John sitting at the computer with his head and eye twitching, LOL! I did not even notice the spelling. Since I am in my German mode, I just "saw" the word Lafette! OK, after getting up off the floor laughing, I will get serious.........

My Bolt Box has a single spring loaded arm in the lid (looks like a single conduit clamp). The Bolt must have the Cocking Lug down and when the lid closes, it puts pressure to hold the Bolt in place. The Lid must have some pressure put on it to compress the spring and rotate the clamp nut/stud to hold the cover closed. It is still easy to close, but does require some pressure.

Post by **TOM R** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 9:58 am

well poopy stinkers on you

not my fault i are ilerterat

well the box is the one with the double tang so guess it is a 34 box, does this mean mine is a converted 34 tripod?

tell you what , my 42 fits this tripod much nicer then the mg3 pod I got

Post by **TOM R** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 10:23 am

here is a link to the pic of the tripod

http://panzer46.net/mg42board/viewtopic ... 0415#10415

Abwehr · Post by **Abwehr** » Thu Dec 29, 2005 10:55 am

Tom,

The photo of your Bolt Box looks just like mine from the outside.

Abwehr · Post by **Abwehr** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 5:31 am

Tom,

Just re-reading you post and thought of a few questions. Will your Bolt fit into the Bolt Box OK? If the "Springy" thinkg in the lid is the only part holding the lid from closing, do you think you may be able to remove the rivits, cut the "twin springy" and re-rivit only the half that holds the Bolt down?

If this works, you could weld the extra hole and it would not show after painting. Just a few thoughts!

Post by **TOM R** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 3:14 pm

the box is 7" long, inside at each end there is a small pad welded, my mg34 bolt has the tail so it won't fit in this box, i have somone offerin a trade instead of modifyin this one, will post pics later

Post by **TOM R** » Mon Jan 02, 2006 8:52 pm

bolt box

Abwehr · Post by **Abwehr** » Tue Jan 03, 2006 9:35 am

Tom,

I need to make a photo of my Bolt Box for a comparison. I will try to get this posted tonight after I get home!

My Single Spring "loop" is located ins differnt spot than yours, even if it was cut in half. A photo is the only way we can clear this up!

Abwehr · Post by **Abwehr** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 6:59 am

Tom,

Sorry, I did not mean to procrastinate and not poist the photo, but I got tied up and did not get home until late. I should be able to get it this evening!

Abwehr · Post by **Abwehr** » Wed Jan 04, 2006 5:58 pm

Tom,

OK, I got em! Below are two photos; one with the Bolt and one without the Bolt. I hope this helps a little.

Post by **TOM R** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 12:53 pm

how hard is it to shove the bolt in the box? mine takes every ounce on strength to get the bolt forced in then i can't ge it out, the lid is impossible to close then i can't get the latch off to reopen it?

Abwehr · Post by **Abwehr** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 1:03 pm

Tom,

The Bolt just drops in perfectly. Actually, I keep the Bolt well oiled and in a thin plastic bag in the Bolt Box. When I close the Cover, the spring contacts the Bolt body and I press down on the Cover and swing the locking nut into postion and screw it down. Very easy with no effort except to overcome the spring tension. The spring keep the Bolt solidly in place and it does not move or rattle.

Post by **TOM R** » Thu Jan 05, 2006 1:04 pm

hmmmm I must have a problem then

Abwehr · Post by **Abwehr** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 6:48 am

Tom,

If the MG42 Bolt will not fit inside the box, do the "ends" of the box appear to be straight or maybe bent in just enough to stop the Bolt from laying in easily? If the ends are not bent in, one cure would be to machine just enough material from each pad welded in to allow the Bolt to drop in.

Your other problem is the Spring retainer in the lid. The location of the spring heads will not allow the lid to close. The only fix I see to this is to remove the Spring, cut in half, and re-rivit the half in position similar to mine. The Spring head must contact the Bolt body only. By the way, the Bolt I have in the box is an unmodified WII Bolt.

Post by **drooling idiot** » Fri Jan 06, 2006 4:05 pm

TOM R wrote:hmmmm I must have a problem then

admitting it is a good first step towards getting help.

www.MG42.us

bolt box on ww2 lafette?

bolt box on ww2 lafette?

Bolt Box

Bolt Box

Bolt Box

Bolt Box

Bolt Box Photos

Bolt Box

Bolt Box