New M53 owner

[JBaum]

Looks like Sarco is selling these now. Hmmm...

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! That's CHEAP! (These will work with the Wiselite receiver.)

[CRUSADER]

I'm guessing that since the description mentions "canvas carrying pads" that these are either Yugo tripods or Yugo reworks.

I wonder if the AA extensions are German...

gregg877 - what color is yours?

Does the Search Fire mechanism have a data plate on it? Is it in German?

Have you found any waffenamts? Any German markings?

[JBaum]

German or Yugo, it's still a good deal.

[Bil]

Yes,either way,if the picture is accurate and these are what they say,I haven't seen prices for these this low in a long time.If you are thinking of using one for re-enactment,this is the only way to go.In fact,for the price dif,it is still the only way to go! ---bil

[CRUSADER]

German or Yugo, it's still a good deal.

It sure is...as long as they are in serviceable condition, which it seems they are.

Good find gregg!

bil - did you get my PM? Are we GTG?

[Bil]

Yes,just waiting for the next batch to arrive! ---bil

[gregg877]

The LAFETTE(not mg3)tripod I got from Sarco was way better than servicable, however they sent me one without an optical sightbase by mistake, I'm actually in the process of exchanging it right now. Soon as I get my replacement I'm gonna put up another post on both mounts so somone else doesnt make the same mistake I did. As for my MG3 mount, it is a brand new HK with the Hensoldt optic and working battery box/illumination kit, gonna flog it for $300 plus $25 for shipping from 02360.

[schaubel777]

That stings. 2 years ago I bought a Yugo from AA and it had not a single german marking despite being advertised as German reworked by the Yugoslavs. I bitched and moaned and even offered to pay the return shipping to get them to send me a decent one but they played hardball with me. By the way, it cost me around 800.00. It's nice but after much searching with my headlamp on I couldn't find a single german marking. AA bent me on that deal. I'd buy that Sarco mount in a heartbeat but couldn't justify it as I'd never get what I got into my Yugo mount out of it. Nice setup on that M-53. I just spent a couple hours cleaning up the recent 300.00 centerfire M53 kits I've bought hoping to find some German markings. No dice. Last few kits I got from them a couple years ago had CYQ barrels and misc other German parts but not this batch. Oh well, the 47.00 barrels were in good shape and are at the moment soaking in solvent. 2 out of the 3 "dark" bores are shiny and clean. One has a bit of roughness but the deal is awesome if it is still going on. Highly recommended. The cuts are good to with the front rivet hole in tact. Good builders.

[Bil]

I got one of the lafettes from AA that was supposed to be Germen also,but I knew I was taking my chances.A solution would be to buy the one from sarco and sell the yugo-average the prices.I also don't think you will never get your money back on the 800 lafette,if you can afford to wait until these are gone.This price is an anomoly,they will go up.If I had the extra bucks right now I would get a few for resale later.
Even the AA dummy guns sold as 42s were 53s,I guess they figured no-one would notice.On the other hand,I have had lot of good deals from them,and that Nickey..... Very nice to deal with. ---bil

[gregg877]

BTW,

The Lafette from Sarco was the same green color as the post war Yugo assault drums I bought from Allegheny. It had a Yugo data plate on the search fire mechanism. Aside from being covered in cosmoline, it was in fantastic shape, no rust or noticable pitting or anything. It had definately been repainted, so if there were any waffens, they were buried. As I mentioned, they mailed me one without the optical sight base which I paid for, Dave @ Sarco is making it right and has arranged the exchange for me. Soon as I get it, will post side by side pics of both the Lafette and my MG3 mount pictured earlier in this post.

Gregg

[Bil]

The way I see it,if the data plate looks good,even if a repro,there won't be many waffens showing even after you repaint it.Sort of like putting good aftermarket parts on a car.It is not like trying to pass off those late model tripods as genuine barn find WWII lafettes.It would be nice to have a real German one ,but it would take a lot of looking to see any differances.I did replace my fire control unit with a German one,though. ---bil