WTK; MG-34 Panzer mantel/Tanker Shroud retaining clip/o-ring

[MPLoyd]

Does anyone have any good pictures of the MG-34 Panzer mantel or Tanker Shroud retaining clip/o-ring that keeps the cone from rotating? I could really use a visual and some dimensions so I can try to fabricate something or search for one.
Thanks

[anjongni]

http://aassniper98.com/index.php?choix=11117AAS Sniper in France had them, as also the a/a sight and bipod mounts. On Ebay, he's 'miminana'. Nice people, ships to USA. Somewhere I have the dimensions of mine. Could take pics. Wouldn't be hard to make, but the French ones weren't expensive.
If you want to get a bipod holder, see if he'll give you a deal on two! I could use one myself...Phil

[anjongni]

Hope this does it. Quite an involved piece for its function. If you build one, it might be best to begin with a cup-shaped metal part, then contour it down. The ID is the same as the front barrel bushing. OD is 40mm. Top retainer is 6mm wide, was about 10mm long before being 'wrinkled' into shape. Bottom retainer tapers from 32mm to 6.5mm wide, 26.7mm length o/a. There's a little 'ball' swedged into the end of it to fall into the f/h slots. It's blue coloured spring-steel. If you make one, please post pics!....Phil

[MPLoyd]

Wow thank you Phil. That really does help a lot. I will definitely have to post pictures if I decide to make one. If miminana has the clips that would make things so much easier. Thanks for posting the dimensions that also gives me a way to check miminana’s repo. Though I have also bought some of his other repo pieces before and they were nice. I just bought a panzer shroud that I want to get set up to run on my semi. If only I also had the King Tiger to go with it!!!

[anjongni]

What I forgot to measure was the thickness of the actual material used. I'll try to get that dimension this weekend. What code is your shroud? Mine is 'dot 45', probably too late for the war, but it does look like it was fired while in contact with a mantlet of some kind, because the blue is kinda worn off where it would have 'poked through' something.
The little teat on the end of the washer is pretty beat up, but almost looks like a separate rivet that was inserted into a slot in the end, then swedged or resistance-welded. Needless German complication, no reason you couldn't just dimple the metal with a centre-punch...Phil

[MPLoyd]

Thanks for taking a measure. I was planning on figuring out the thickness to use by checking the alignment of a notch with different thickness gauges.

So far my plan is to basically drill out some sheet metal stock with a hole saw for the o-ring slightly larger than the od diameter of the shroud and use a surface grinder to bring the ring into thickness.

I will fabricate the 2 retaining clips. Recently I have been getting more work done with a micro/laser welder and really like the work. The retainers after being cut and shaped will welded on the ring. Since the ring will be slightly larger than the od of the shroud the welds will or should miss the booster and shroud.

The sides of the ring I will just contour to match the shroud by grinding it in. Unless of course miminana E-mails me back and has some on hand.

My shroud is a DOT 1943. The thinness of the blue is fairly uniform. As far as I can tell there are no amps anywhere. Still degreasing, so we shall see.

[42rocker]

Good Luck on your project. Hope to see some pics.

Later 42rocker

[anjongni]

The little washer is .9mm+ thick, difficult to get a good measurement. About .036", US 20 gauge...Phil