www.MG42.us

Looking to add to my collection, anyone know of a 1st Model FG42 for sale? Now that you have stopped laughing I also want one with a uncut or re welded/repaired receiver....will pay top dollar, serious collector - thanks for any leads or info....I have searched high and low with out any luck.....

Last type 1 FG that I remember actually making it to the market goes back to 1987. All the FGs that have been offered since then have been Type 2s. I bought a type 2 about five years ago. With the current depression deepening, a Type 1 just might shake loose from a collector, but I doubt it would ever make it onto the internet. Unfortunately collectors who have such weapons rarely sell them anyway and aren't affected by the roller coaster economic fluctuations.

Bob Naess

Talk about hard to find on the market... best of luck to you on that one! Very expensive gun too. The guys I know who have FG-42's are not interested in selling them. You have to wait for the right gun at the right price. James D. Julia auctions may have one next year. Google them. Also place more WTB ads on GK43forum.com and other WWII gun boards.

An interesting revelation from the listing of known FGs of all types worldwide is that the number of privately owned, thus transferable, Type 1s, and earlier in the USA, is one exmple larger than the number of Type 2s. For years the folklore was that there were only a few of the type 1 and earlier FGs in the US registry. They are just about even between earlier and Type 2s. Production of Type 2s was larger, of course. No doubt there are still FGs, ,and registered ones, lurking int he woodwork that hav enot been accounted for.
D.Arch. makes the prediction that "James D. Julia auctions may have one next year." Enquiring minds want to know into what crystal ball you are gazing?

Bob Naess

Thanks for the input, I have a 2nd Model that took quite a while to find along with some rare accessories. I am sure it will be big bucks to buy a 1st model when I find one but worth it! I have many cool guns in my collection, the FG42 is my favorite by far.....anyone else out there own one?

I assume that you have both copies of the volume "Death From Above"? If not they are well worth having, with the second volume adding a lot of new info not included in the first edition.
Do you have the rubber cover for the muzzle brake? I've a few accessories for my type 2 FG, sling, scope and mounts, extra mags, and the rubber muzzle cover. If you don't have a cover and want one, post me off board if you are interested in one, as I can put you in touch with the fellow who might have a few left.
Since you have introduced it, let's see some pics of your collection. We're all dedicated fans of MG porn........

Bob Naess

bmg17a1 wrote:An interesting revelation from the listing of known FGs of all types worldwide is that the number of privately owned, thus transferable, Type 1s, and earlier in the USA, is one exmple larger than the number of Type 2s. For years the folklore was that there were only a few of the type 1 and earlier FGs in the US registry. They are just about even between earlier and Type 2s. Production of Type 2s was larger, of course. No doubt there are still FGs, ,and registered ones, lurking int he woodwork that hav enot been accounted for.
D.Arch. makes the prediction that "James D. Julia auctions may have one next year." Enquiring minds want to know into what crystal ball you are gazing?

Bob Naess

I'm not gazing into a crystal ball, Bob. I'm just saying the Julia has the best chance of having an FG-42 appear for sale compared to auctions and other sources, except for private sales. Nice to hear from ya Bob! How's the gun rebuilding business? By the way, that MP-44 you had for over a year is now repaired and running well. Thanks a lot for your input as to it's history. The former owner and I worked the repairs out, and he's now a good friend.

Oh, and guys? GUN PORN is ALWAYS welcome here. I can't tell you how many pics I've entered into my screen saver from our collections.

Yeah I would like to see too.

Dennis Todd has had more FG42 for sale then anyone else... two second types at the same time!

I have seen pictures of Bobs and its very nice.

Yes, I have both books....somes pics for everyone to check out.

Last type 1s that changed hands were the four in the collection of Byron Vickery, whose collection of 8 FGs was bought by Ken Keilholz a couple or more years ago, all of which I've seen at his place. Seems that the type 1s just don't move between owners much. Dennis Todd bought the T2 FG that was in the Bruce Stern collection handled by Julia and paid half again what it was worth, something on the order of $150k plus or minus. Hardly a case of not paying too much but buying too soon. Nice gun though, which I've had apart just for the fun of it at the SAR East a couple of years ago.
It'd be nice to see an early or T1 FG anywhere for sale that was open to the public for purchase, but I have my doubts.

As far as MG repairs, in response to D. Arch., I'm turning down work, or asking owners to send them when I don't have such a backlog.Have about twenty MGs here for repairs, along with various post-samples to build, conversions, brokered MGs and lots of other stuff. Probably a year plus backlog anyway, which is the way it is a lot of the time. I've had so many MGs through here I can't begin to recall them individiually. I feel pretty fortunate that the recession hasn't been to hard on my business, at least so far! Knock on wood.

Nice to see the MP around-the-corner barrel and sight. Those are pretty dang scarce. Landies had one on his tables some years ago at KC, but it was not complete. Last one of those I recall being offered goes back to the mid seventies. Too many people collecting this stuff now!

Thanks for the pics DDOK43....what else ya got?

Bob Naess

Gun Porn.... *DROOL*

I've already translated the Type 1 FG manual, but if anyone comes up with a Type 2 FG manual, please contact me.

Hey Bob, speaking of rare/weird FG accessories.....forum member/Author Michael Heidler just sent me his new "Duetsche Gewehrgranaten und Gewehrgranatgeräte bis 1945" ('German Rifle Grenades and Equipment' ) book, which is an ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL reference, and there I am reading through it and lo-and-behold on pgs 297-303 is something I have never even heard of- A screw on grenade projector ("Schießbecher fur Gewehrgranaten")and compensating receiver-mounted sight ("Granatvisier')for the Type 1 FG-42 FjGew!!! Ever seen that before?? VERY interesting that they thought the FjGew would hold up to that use....or maybe not??

(BTW folks, Michael's book is, to me, and absolute required book for anyones library with even a passing interest in grenades and associated equipment, and though it is in German, you simply won't find the level, detail, and comprehensive information for this supremely interesting topic anywhere else. Truly one of the best Mililtaria books I have seen in many years; He has researched such amazingly comprehensive details it is a real discovery for me reading through it all.)
-TomH

I have a FG42 grenade launcher that screws on, cool accessory! Never seen another one....

Heidler's books are excellent, and after meeting hm a few years ago at KC, I pleaded with him to publish them in English, but so far he's stuck to his mother tongue. There are quire a few excellent volumes on various MGs by other authors and related subjects published in europe and the authors all claim that there is no market in the US or other countries for English versions. Not sure whey they are so tunnel visioned, as that seems rather fantastical to me given the interest here and other places where English is understood. Recently acquired volumes in Norwegian and Danish, not exactly competetive languages worldwide for commerce and entertainment! Being half Norwegian with childhood learning of household Norwegian and some college study, with some difficulty and very slowly I can make my way through these. I get them for the pics, right?

The grenade launcher for the FGs is quite extraordinary! Great that you have acquired one for you collection. I've never been much interested in the accessories for MGs compared to the MGs themsleves and, of course, parts, so I've missed out on some of the truly unusual stuff. However, such blindness has left me with a lot more MGs than I would have otherwise!

Bob Naess

Well Bob, as you know I too am half Norwegian, so with your half and mine maybe we should join together and get one good one (Det tar en å vite en!!)! Or, at least, we can throw a lutefisk supper for Syttende Mai!! ;-)

I feel your pain on the translation issues.....I just gave in to the Dark Side and kicked my dormant German language skills back into gear in the last couple years....I owe about 90% of that desire initially to John Baum who through various long conversations got me seriously interested in learning to read the old Fraktur font printing of the early manuals and from there I went into it again full speed after dropping my German that I knew well at a younger age. Heidler's book goes rather well for me, but I do keep the dictionary at my side just in case. ;-)

I have often found that there are dedicated collectors who gravitate toward collecting the guns, and those others who want nothing more than to just collect accessories and accouterments.....blonds or redheads, same dilemma I guess.

-TomH

Well, Tom, you know what they say about the Norwegians.....'for snart gamle, for sent smart'.

I don't have the time to learn German, gad awmighty!! IOh well, I like pictures and I can always ask you....how about translating the grenade launcher book for us. We'll pay....something....er,..... or....8^)

Recent acquisitiion is another transferable Mg13. I am a fan of the Dreyse style actions for some reason, which I find quite amusing and interesting, too. Now, you are quite persistent with searching for German accessories so find me an MG13 double drum. I've looked for years and the ones in the Us alwyas seem atached to a gun and the guy won't sell the drum separately. I know of a few in eueope but same problem. Anyway, ifthere's somehting that you are seeking let me know and I'll lend a hand.

Ok, DDOK43, nice stuff. Can I persuade you to show some pics of more MGs? Please......

Bob Naess

bmg17a1 wrote:Well, Tom, you know what they say about the Norwegians.....'for snart gamle, for sent smart'.

Yep, my Mom always used to say "Why is that we get so smart, so late? Youth is wasted on the young" ;-0

bmg17a1 wrote:I don't have the time to learn German, gad awmighty!! IOh well, I like pictures and I can always ask you....how about translating the grenade launcher book for us. We'll pay....something....er,..... or....8^)

HAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! Keep asking Michael!! I am not THAT comfortable yet.....maybe in another Life.

bmg17a1 wrote:Recent acquisitiion is another transferable Mg13. I am a fan of the Dreyse style actions for some reason, which I find quite amusing and interesting, too. Now, you are quite persistent with searching for German accessories so find me an MG13 double drum. I've looked for years and the ones in the Us alwyas seem atached to a gun and the guy won't sell the drum separately. I know of a few in eueope but same problem. Anyway, ifthere's somehting that you are seeking let me know and I'll lend a hand.

Yeah, no doubt you also love the Madesen's action, too, Eh? ;-)

What am I looking for? MG-131 & MG-FFM stuff.....****GOD**** wants me to have them......
-TomH

I don't have many Mg's, I have a MG34, MG42, MP40, MP44 and a Ww2 Thompson.....I do have many other rare pistols and rifles, will try to get some pics up soon....

A few pics of unusual pistols would be nice, although this s an MG forum and moderators might get annoyed. I only collect and deale in MGs, which is my fulltme business. I am always interested in seeing other collections for the purpose of trying to find previously unseen registered MGs. There are some out there still that one hears about, but have never had verified with an actual registered example.
I've tracked various MGs since 1970 through the commercial markets, visiting collectors and talklng with people, so have someidea about numbers of certain MGs in ther egistry. It is not possible to determiine how many examples of a particular MG are in the US registry because the information is confidential for tax reasons. So, tracking MGs other ways is really the only approach.

Bob Naess