"MG34-MG42: German Universal Machineguns" Book?

[cow_commander]

Does anyone have this book? I am thinking of purchasing it to use as a reference for an M53 build, but would it be useful as such? I'd buy it already if it wasn't so expensive...

[JBaum]

It's a book about the history and development of the MG34 and MG42. It's not an assembly manual for showing how to build a gun, how the parts go together, or how they work, but such books aren't meant to be all that. Regardless, it's certainly worth owning as a general knowledge book on the MGs. I own a copy myself. Expensive? No, lack of knowledge is much more expensive than a book. It's an investment. Keep it for 5 years, and you'll get $50 out of it when you sell it, or if it is no longer in print, it will be like the Luger books..... $250 for a $60 book.

For exploded views of how all the parts go together, I'd suggest PDV 918. For the best manual on how the gun works, I'd suggest HDv 216/6. HDv 241 is also an excellent MG42 manual for operation and field use, and is a wartime manual for the soldier which shows a lot of useful tips such as how the extractor tool works.

Someone else here may make a recommendation about getting a manual or two for learning about your build. Also, review the messages already posted here. There's a lot of good and free information waiting to be read.

[cow_commander]

Thanks for the info, I'll look into the manuals. You said this book talks more about the development of the MG-42, so does it mention post-war developments of the M53?

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

I consider "MG34/42 Universal Machinegun" to be an essential book to anyone interested in those machineguns. It has a wealth of information about accessories, tactics of deployment, and gives the reader a good understanding of the mechanical principles of how the firearms operate. It's an excellent reference book. Combine it with one or more of John Baum's tech manuals, and you have all the information you need to understand the full auto originals and a better understanding of how a conversion to semi auto can be properly accomplished.

[RaccoonRough]

I agree when I first got this book ..........I just could not put it down and refer to it all the time! Great book and very essential.

RR

[giorg1969]

Mine arrived this morning.....amazing book but no info of m53

[Abominog]

Commander, GUM is a history book. Baum's books are technical books.

Please review the following thread:

viewtopic.php?f=41&t=5066


I think that will answer some of your questions.

[Bil]

The 42 and the 53 are essentially the same gun,if you are looking for an actual history of the 53,I have no idea where to look.I still can't get any info on the water-cooled '15.But if you are looking for technical,then look in Jbaum's manuals.If you are looking for how to build one,you are in the right place,there is more info on this site than anywhere else I know of.[except maybe Gordie k's head]It is all here,check the back posts and the build tutorials.Good luck! ---bil

[cow_commander]

Yeah, M53 info is rare, the only mention I've ever seen on it in a book was talking about how the original master drawng plans for the MG-42 disappeared after the war, and that the M53 showing up in Yugoslavia later on as a clue to where those plans ended up.