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Some people sure have a lot of money A slab sided cocking handle on e-ban



http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/early-slab-sided- ... dZViewItem

The slab handles are neat to look at, but are very difficult to operate. I'd guess most people don't know what the difference between the handles is for. The slabs certainly are a disadvantage in real-world use.

To cock a gun with a closed bolt, the barrel and bolt have to be pulled rearward against the force of the recoil spring AND recuperator until the bolt releases. The barrel and bolt have to travel rearward together until the cams inside the Cam Piece push the bolt head rollers inward, and the bolt releases the barrel extension. The slab handles have no mechanical advantage (lever) to ease the stiff combined forces before the bolt releases the barrel. Once the bolt releases, pulling against the force of the recoil spring alone isn't difficult.

The lever cocking handle (that's the German term) gives you some leverage for the first half inch in getting the bolt to release the barrel. This is accomplished by having the handle itself rotate. When the rotation is completed, the bolt has already released the barrel. Once the bolt releases, the recuperator pushes the barrel again forward, and since the only force you're pulling against then is the recoil spring, the bolt goes rearward easily.

If things got dirty in combat, or a shell or roller stuck, it used to take two hands or a stiff kick to get the (slab) cocking handle rearward, thus the reason for the development of the lever handle.

If you want looks without function, the slab is the way to go. There's a reason it's rare - it didn't work. Somewhere, I have a sheet showing modifications to the slab handle to turn it into a lever handle. Don't ask, I don't know where in my office the plans are, I just know I have it somewhere.

john

you are the man--just what dont you know the 42??
it's like you are 42 dictionary.
waffen

I've translated 10 manuals on the MG42 and accessories.... no magic here. I just write what I've read about in the manauls and what I've learned by owning an MG42. I realize that not everyone has an MG, or wants one, but I figure anyone who frequents here has an interest.

I wish I had someone explain all the details to me - it would have saved me years of looking for the information. Sharing is what makes this board successful, and to me, being a worth while member means being willing to share. I don't expect everyone to lay out $200 to buy every manual I've done on the 42, but the information in the manuals is valuable, so I pass it along when I can.

Sorry if I come across as a show off or some type of self-proclaimed expert.... that's not my purpose. Just trying to help.

I do keep my mouth shut when I don't know something.

John-I dont see how anyone could feel that way.Your posts are always very informative and timely.With all you have to do,we appreciate you taking the time to answer so many questions.Thanks. ---bil

We luv yer stuff John.

expensive

Just to add my worthless .02 to the discussion, there is a picture of the slabside that j.baum was talking about that was modified by a Waffenmeister, on page 132 of Myrvang's book.
Wow, talk about fractured English.
j. baum wasn't modified by a Waffenmeister on page 132.
The slabside was modified by a Waffenmeister.
The picture of the slabside can be found on page 132 of Myrvang's book.
Sorry guys, but when I constantly hear Russian spoken around me sometimes my English gets Russianized.

I have known John Baum for several years now and consider him a good friend even though we have never met in person. John has provided me with information on the MG42, and other firearms, with knowledge I would NEVER have know without his excellent translations! John makes posting that help all of us with his extensive knowledge of the MG42 and I appreciate it.

As I have always stated, buy books on the guns you own and learn how to disassemble/assemble them, learn how the firearm operates, learn what to do when an error occurs, learn the dimensions of the parts, learn tolerances of the weapon, and read everything you can on the firearm. John has provided this information in his manuals; from the source!

It is like buying cheap ammo that is of unknown quality and shooting it in a SA or FA MG42; it it blows up the gun, you can lose from $5K to $25K! Knowledge of the firearm is critical to the success of having fun shooting these fine weapons or having constant problems. If you have the money to own these weapons, spend a few extra dollars to learn the weapon with BOOKS. Remember, the Germans would TEACH the gunners for weeks on how to operate the weapon, and months to TEACH the Waffenmeisters how to REPAIR them. We have to do it all without formal training!

That's the truth... The book you buy is always worth more that the gunparts you break if you do something wrong becasue of ignorance.