www.MG42.us

Tripod bought from AA, strip the awful apple green paint, clean and repaint with the Geldgrau Dunkel(Dark Field Gray) from 1944militaria. Thanks to Tom, Abwehr and all replied for the lead.

multishots,

That looks great! Mine is in the Ordnance Tan color, but I still like the Geldgrau Dunkel best! I need to get some of this and paint my anti-aircraft Dreiben that color instead of the post war green. The two colors are close so it should be a snap to paint and cover very well. Thanks for posting the photo!!!!

Oops, I just realize that I post this in the MG34 Photo area, it should be in MG42 Photo area. Can the Moderator move it? Thanks.

moved , looks great think i agree with abwehr though, I am gonna do mine tan, and the post war aa I got in the grey, since it is adapted for the 34

Has anyone looked into what it would take to remove the Yugo backpad cloth material and replace with a thin soft leather like the originals? I looked one day, did not really give much thought about it. It would be nice to relace with a brown leather. What about it guys?

I did not know that the pads were supposed to be leather maybe the leather is under the cloth

nice paint and tripod

Tom,

I may be wrong, but I seem to remember in Volke's book that the pads were leather covered. I can't get to my book for a couple of days and my wife would NEVER find this in the book. I really like the Collectors series of books, but looking up info is next to impossible, LOL

Maybe someone can look this up and let us know what is correct.

On all German issue Lafettes,both 34 and 42, the pads were covered in leather.The canvas pads are a post war replacement.

I have a MG34 Lafette that came from Russian Arsenals which had brown/green canvas pads on (so not just a Yugo thing!) they were dirty and when the tripod was repainted at some time they spilt paint over the pads. I took them off and unfortunately the leather covers weren't hiding underneath so I just reversed the canvas ones and re-attached, but will look out for some suitable leather to replace in the future.
Tommy

Tommy,

I have thought about changing the canvas pad covers on my Lafette for a while now and I went online to Tandy Leather and found some lightweight "Doeskin". The leather arrived several days ago and it is nice! The leather is a warm brown color and appears to be close to the photos I have seen of originals.

I plan to remove the canvas covers, unstitch them and use them as a patern to cut the leather. My wife said her sewing machine MIGHT sew the thin leather, but I will see how this works. If not, I will take them to a local shoe shop and have them sewn up. I have needles to re-stitch the new leather covers, but I want to get some brown linen thread to sew back on. I don't think it will be too difficult to sew back on since the pad mounts have holes for the sewing. It will take a bit of time to make sure the sewing is tight. Not sure when I can get to this, but when I do, I will post some photos.

Oh yea, the piece of leather for 2+ sq. ft. was $20

Ryan Schnee sells reproductions of the leather pads based on original examples.

Abwehr

I'd be interested in seeing your handywork when completed.
Looking at mine the pads appear thinner than originals, measuring only about 1" where as originals look more like 1 1/2" or 2" thick, so maybe a bit more wadding would be called for when I get around to it.
I must admit I haven't looked for any leather yet but if I should come up blank over here I'll check out Tandy Leather.
Thanks for your help.
Tommy

I have done this. You will have to punch holes in the edges of the leather covering for the pads and stitch them by hand to the corresponding holes in the metal backing plate. My lafette 34 is dated 1940 and had the (presumably) original pad covers so I just removed them and stitched them back on when I was done with the tripod.

No sewing machine needed!

Harry

I plan to do exactly what "Mg34gunner" stated, remove the cover, cut the leather the same size, puch the holes and hand stitch back on. I am not sure when I can get to this project, but I hope to get it done in about 3-4 weeks. I am in the process of helping a friend on leave from Iraq build a Polish Tantal, and then complete my Polish Underfolder AK. THEN the Lafette gets new "upholstery". I will definelty post photos!

My pads are approx. 2" thick. I am wondering what the padding material is too???

When I got my Lafette the top pad was covered in rough canvas. I solved the problem by scouring the charity (thrift) shops for an old handbag big enough to cover it and 'voila'!

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Ryan,

Can you give us the approximate dates that the 2 "greys" were used?

Feldgrau [Field Grey] RAL 7019

Dunkelgrau [Dark Grey] RAL 7021

Thanks,
Orin

PS: The 2 sets of replacement lether pads covers that I got from you look GREAT..

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Anyone got any tips on how to remove this nasty Yugo lime green paint? I could always disassmble and bead blast, but Im trying to keep from doing that.