MG34 canvas cover vs mg42 canvas cover...

[sharmanajusmc]

ok so I know that these are for the most part yugo accessories but concidering the dust here in az I was thinking about getting one of the canvas covers for my mg34... can someone tell me how to tell the difference between the mg42 cover and the mg34 cover??

[JBaum]

The 34 cover has a hole for the charging handle to stick out.

[TactAdv]

The 34 cover has a hole for the charging handle to stick out.

Dear Lord, John.....with that you've now gone and deprived me of the opportunity to compose a 10,000 word highly detailed response. Now what I am supposed to do the rest of tonight? ;-)

"....it's got a hole in it". Geeeezzzzzz....... Manchmal, nehmen sie den spaß draus!

-TomH

[JBaum]

Manchmal ist einfach gut

[sharmanajusmc]

I see, well I'm looking at two different covers that both have a hole for the charging handle one is round the other is more of an oval shape. are these just two different versions for the '34? or is one for the '42?

[JBaum]

pictures?

[JBaum]

Neither cover would fit the MG42.

Pictures from the two 99 cent covers from ebay ads in question:

[JBaum]

If it has a hole, it's for the 34. If it doesn't have a hole, it's for the 42.

The above covers obviously have a hole, so they're for the 34.

[TactAdv]

If it has a hole, it's for the 34. If it doesn't have a hole, it's for the 42.

The above covers obviously have a hole, so they're for the 34.

Uh, oh. Here comes the wrench thrown into the works. The problem with universal rules is they always have an exception.

Going out on a limb here, let me make two observations and then feel free to comment, Please. For one thing, notice if you will that both of these pictured covers have not only differently shaped "holes", but those holes are certainly located in different positions. That's both interesting and significant. The top one with the round hole I will certainly agree is a common MG34 action cover, but what makes it clearly so is not just the true round hole, but more importantly the location of that round hole relative to the end of the cover edge.

The lower cover is more curious, and if we stop to consider what both the SHAPE of the "hole" and it's LOCATION are telling us, I believe you will immediately recognize that not only is the "hole" located horizontally properly for the charging handle on an MG42 (yes, MG42), but specifically is also shaped for the ONLY MG42 charging handle that would fit through any "hole", namely a first-model variant charging handle that is flat and shaped EXACTLY like that opening shown there. Again, it's BOTH the specific shape of the opening and the location that show us it is NOT for an MG34, but rather for an (early) MG42 I believe. There is no compelling need for such a "slot" to exist for a round handle shape, i.e, it doesn't need to permit the handle either to move fore/aft slightly to fit/adjust, nor does it give any advantage to cycling the action through a narrow range, yet it does exactly fit the precise shape of the early MG42 handle profile, just like all the MG34 action covers with round hole fit the '34 handle precisely.

( Also, when speaking of covers with holes.....don't forget there are reputed to be canvas covers for the MG15 that are supposed to resemble the MG34 cover, but if they actually existed, any photographic records seem to be beyond rare and I have yet to actually see one, provably, though I have been told they existed.)

Was liegt auf der hand, ist nicht immer sicher. ;-)

-TomH

[JBaum]

Well, that's certainly a possibility that I hadn't considered.

If anyone has a slab handled 42, which is certainly difficult to use, there may be a cover for it on ebay. Whoever buys it, let us know if it fits.

Ist dir klar, dass der deutschen sprache wahrscheinlich Leuten pinkeln weg?

[TactAdv]

Ist dir klar, dass der deutschen sprache wahrscheinlich Leuten pinkeln weg?

Natürlich! Aber es macht spaß, jemanden, der die worte weiß haben. (Und, eigentlich ist mein Hochdeutsch wohl nicht zu korrigieren, wie ich auf das erlernen der Österreichischen dialekt gearbeitet, wie sie wissen.)

-TomH

[mp44dude]

I have an early model MG42 but cannot see myself buying a cover for it. Neat accesory but not really useful unless you have a Rad or vehicle and you think the gun will get dusty before you go to the range.

I did notice that the 34 cover covers the whole of the reciever/topcover - the charging handle in the forward position. Does the 42 cover look like it less of the top cover and more into the feed area?

greg

[bergflak]

Not entirely correct. As the Germans never made a cover for the Mg42 (and this one is screaming YUGO craftmansship) we can safely assume that the cover at the best would have been made for a MG53. But the MG53 never used the slab handle as far as I know........

[TactAdv]

Not entirely correct. As the Germans never made a cover for the Mg42 (and this one is screaming YUGO craftmansship) we can safely assume that the cover at the best would have been made for a MG53. But the MG53 never used the slab handle as far as I know........

Looking at it again it does bear the look of fine Yugoslavian craftsmanship. ;-)
And saying that, it does also now look pretty tall, top to bottom, which if Yugo might just be for M1919A4 as they had plenty of those at one time too.
-TomH

[dover7838]

I purchased what was marketed as a MG42 canvas cover, and two canvas barrel covers off eBay for my M53. After some initial puzzlement as to how to get it on there, I finally figured it out. Slip the taller of the posts on the charging handle though the hole while it is vertical. Then slip the smaller through. Wrap the receiver, tighten the belts. Doesn't quite fit around the trigger group on mine. Not sure if that is because its not the original or what. I can post photos if there is enough of a demand for them.

[Gulfstream4]

Post some pictures. Thanks in advance.

[dover7838]

Step 1


Step 2 - Installed

[dover7838]

Step 1 - Sliding cover over larger of two posts on charging handle.


Step 2 - Fully installed.


My Baby "naked"



Feel free to delete previous post. Not used to not being able to edit previous posts on this style of message board.

[TactAdv]

Well, it fits, kind of. That's also not coming off quickly!!

Which means it also probably violates The Primary Rule of Combat- "First one into the fight usually wins"
-TomH

[dover7838]

Well, it fits, kind of. That's also not coming off quickly!!

Which means it also probably violates The Primary Rule of Combat- "First one into the fight usually wins"
-TomH

Again, not sure if the fit is off because of the AR trigger group on my SA M53. Looking at photos, the 'original' trigger group on an MG isn't nearly as big. Probably be a better fit on one of those rather than a build such as this.

As you all said, really not much need for one. To be honest, not sure why I put it on. I keep mine in a transit case and locked. I guess it keeps any dust out of it while in storage?