Flat charging handle

[anjongni]

http://www.gunbroker.com/item/570097720

Not mine, already ended. You don't see them come up for sale very often.
Looks like it would make un-camming the bolt really difficult.
Indeed...it's broken....Phil

[bjrmg]

It was found that the operator had to use "extra effort" to cock the bolt. When fatigued from heat "Afrika" and, or extreme cold "Ost Front". Operators complained about this difficulty; so a modified leveraged cocking handle was developed quickly. Very early guns, "43" had a tab "welded" to engage the "advantage lever" on the new style handle. Later guns were made with the tab. Most "flat" handles were discarded; making examples scarce! And yes these guns with the "flat" handle require much more effort to cock gun. JR