www.MG42.us

Just a heads-up! I have added some interesting pictures and parts lists to my old article on the Patronentrommel 34 (PT34 / Saddle drum for MG34).

I finally managed to find a photo of the Zuführertasche as well! Enjoy the new stuff....

WWW.Bergflak.com

Very nice,as usual! Thanks! ---bil

Hello Reidar,

Outstanding, informative article.

Regards,

Mark.

Thanks!! Great...
Scott

Here's a pic I found a while ago on the net.Now we see where all these drums went! Great article,Bergflak! ---bil

Great picture Bill!

The PT34 appears to have been used widely in armoured cars and tanks of the early days. What makes this picture interesting is the fact that two of the magazines have been marked with paint.
This practice is common within armoured units. It enables the crews to tell what equipment belongs to which unit/vehicle. This system seems to have been flawed allready though, as one drum has a "sunray" system applied to each "cylinder", while the other one has a straight line following around the drum. And others again are unmarked.

Trying to work out what the vehicle is - looks like a Panzer II with the side of the turret missing (!?)

I'm fortunate enough to possess a Doppeltrommel top cover and a DT-15 magazine which has been previously adapted to fit an MG34 (possibly even a wartime mod as its very neatly done). I have a friend who has a UK Section 5 arms licence (category allowed to own live MGs etc for theatrical and reenactment hire under controlled supervision) and we loaded a few blank rounds into the DT15 and fitted it to his live MG34 and it worked beautifully! I dare say it would probably balk at more than maybe 20 or so rounds as I have no idea as to the condition of the spring etc.

Nice to see it working and it means if any film maker wanted that set up he could have it! My hope is to see it fitted to a tank cupola on the AA mount...

Yes. It looks very much like a early Panzer II with the side of the turret missing. Most probably a prewar instructional vehicle. Note the 2cm magazines to the left and the Luger holster embedded halfway through the small ventilating/periscope hatch in the main hatch!

Yes,the original caption just said 'cutaway' so it is probably a training device.You can find these sometimes,mostly guns or engines,with the cut line painted red. ---bil

Higher resolution of the above photo.
Ryan

resolution seems the same as the other photo. - matt