Odd photo

[bergflak]

A cool photo, but I can't really figure out what is going on at the front end of this MG34. The photo appears to be from a genuine shooting, note the empty band-links and the ammo going in. Firing blanks?

[JBaum]

well, the guy holding down the tripod certainly is going to get a face full of empty shells if he doesn't quit looking at the ejection port. Staged for sure, but the blank firing adapter is an odd one.

[Matt]

looks like the flash hider is removed but the barrel bearing is still in place, this will work with the wood blanks - matt

[bergflak]

I guess it woul, if you used the Platzpatronengerät barrel, as it has a separate chamber piece that is light enough to cycle on the wooden blank recoil alone. But why the heck did they remove the booster and flash hider? Did these parts cause trouble when the PG barrel was in use?

[Matt]

they probably took it off due to regulations, it would prevent the gun from operating with live ammunition and it is two less parts to clean! - matt

[bergflak]

I will buy the "less parts to clean" if it indeed can function without them! But if you try to fire a live round through the Platzpatronengerät 34 I don't think it would have mattered much; damage done - anyway!

[blackreichswehr]

this photo has bugged me since it's posting , because i had seen it somewhere before. turns out this photo is is from tne Pattern Room Collections, in an 11x8,durning maneuvers in 1935. there is no BFA and the rounds are of wood and a 4th soldier is feeding the belt. it is for sure staged.

[Blanksguy]

The photo (as others have said) show the MG34 firing "Blanks"........
....this gun is using the 2-pcs. Blank-Barrel-Assembly. The Flash-Hider and Booster-Cup/"Nozzle" is not required as the front part of the barrel remains still/in-place inside the barrel-jacket as the rear section moves as "Blanks" are fired.

This 2-pcs. Blank-Barrel-Assembly design is the same design as we are making for reenactors to fire Blanks in their MG34/SA34 and we have set these up for not only 8x57mm Blanks....but also the cheaper 7.62x51mm/.308 surplus Blanks.

We also make an "L" shaped feed-tray spacer for the MG34/SA34 to feed the slightly shorter 8x57mm Blanks made from once-fired 30/06 brass and 7.62x51mm/.308 surplus Blanks. This helps to keep the front of the blank from raising-up and hiting the top-front cut-out on the MG34/SA34 feed-tray.
If you are interested in these for your MG34/SA34 (or 2-pcs. Blank-Barrel-Assemblies for your MG42/SA42), please contact me at my below listed e-mail address.

Regards, RichardS in MI.
Blanksguy2001@chartermi.net