Questions about MG34 For Sale

[wh309]

Hello,

I'm looking for insight on an MG34 offer to me for sale.

The seller's description is: "The gun is an MG-34 which is an all matching, C&R registered piece and the condition is exceptional. It was manufactured in 1939 by BSW and it is a rare transitional model. BSW was a Jewish owned firm and in 1939 the Nazis took over the firm and the markings were changed. This gun fell into the transition period and is rare, especially in pristine condition."

The top cover is marked with BSW, cof and WaA883. Photos of the gun suggest a remarkable good condition.

Some questions come to mind:
With six years of war ahead, how can a 1939 manufactured gun be in pristine condition?
Would an original top cover display the BSW logo, along with cof and WaA883?
What areas should I explore about an MG34?

Might any experienced board members have any thoughts in these areas?

Thanks in advance,
Bill

[Sd.kfz.173]

Welcome to the site....You will find a boat load of info here, however , Not to sure about any large business being owned by any Jewish people in 1939 as the Nazi party had outlawed Jews owning anything other than what they had on thier backs by 1935...Of course I could be wrong,has happened ONCE before. .Still, photos will help with answering your questions.





Bill

[ChrisPCook]

If you don't have a copy of Folke Myrvang's Universal Machineguns book I'd get one to gain some info.

BSW was Simpson Suhl Company prior to becoming absorbed into BSW. Simpson was a Jewish owned company, and if I remember correctly one of the few companies allowed to produce arms under allied supervision according to the Treaty of Versailles from WWI.

I would think that an early BSW would have a milled top cover and a four hole barrel shroud, check for that.

Pristine? Most likely postwar refurbed by another country?

In 1939 the BSW code was changed to 936, this numeric code then changed to dfb in 1940, although Myrvang states that there are instances of the 936 code being carried along further than 1940.

Here's a listing of Waffenamt codes:
http://home.scarlet.be/p.colmant/waffenamt.htm

cof Waffenfabrik Carl Eickhorn, Solingen

Hope that helps some....

[42rocker]

My first question is it still FULL Auto are not???? If so does it have papers or is it semi auto??

Answer is worth over $20,000 difference or more or possible jail time... Free room and board...

If semi auto and rebuilt then who did the rebuilt and then lets talk about where it's from...

And Chris Cook's answers sound correct...

Later 42rocker

[wh309]

If this works, here is an album withimages of the gun:

http://s953.photobucket.com/albums/ae20/wh309/

[Bil]

I believe C&R registered would be full auto. ---bil

[wh309]

More Infomation for the forum: Gun is currently on a form 3. It is full auto. The top cover is not milled. Between the front sight and the AA sight, there appears to be three holes in each row of holes in the barrel shroud.

Bill

[Sd.kfz.173]

BSW was Simpson Suhl Company prior to becoming absorbed into BSW. Simpson was a Jewish owned company, and if I remember correctly one of the few companies allowed to produce arms under allied supervision according to the Treaty of Versailles from WWI.

I would think that an early BSW would have a milled top cover and a four hole barrel shroud, check for that.

Pristine? Most likely postwar refurbed by another country?

Told ya I could be wrong!

Bill

[Bil]

Check out the lafette-blow up the picture.I don't have any of my books with me [I am 'wandering' again],but it looks like the gebirgsjager model,with more adjustment to the rear legs.Anyone with any info,pipe in! ---bil

[Matt]

the BSW markings are bogus and the gun although registered is a put together from parts. lots of renumbering on that one. the tripod is repainted and is probably from the portuguese lot. almost all of the mg34 lafettes from 44 and mountain model are from the portuguese importation. a nice set for sure but nothing pristine or highly collectable about it. -matt

[dwmmg08]

Considering BSW is a rare early mark, and cof I don't believe is, how could those two markings be on the same topcover??

Im not a super expert or anything, but it appears force matched to me.

Also, I thought that BSW was Waa 4?

I think you ought to get the Folke book, it covers a lot of this information, and is quite complete- especially on the markings, Berlin-Suhler-Werk is covered.

Good luck,

Glen

[JBaum]

Regarding an MG that is in pristine condition, and that age: it can happen.

There isn't any question that the MG34 is pretty. If you're going to shoot it, the price is more important than proving everything on it came from the factory exactly as it is now. After all, who can verify that with certainty, and who else is going to believe it anyway?

If he want's a premium of $10,000 just because of a nice story, skip it. If it's for sale as pictured for $30,000, it's a different story. It all depends on the price. I'll take a pig that shoots for the right money

[blackreichswehr]

the mystics of mg34's are abound, mine is very puzzling.DOT 1943-serial # mid 50's- milled top cover W/ waa4 marks in two places, serial # matches shroud, the entire thing is all numbered the same, no strike outs and renumbered. this 34 was left to me by a good friend, Clay Weedman, now pasted , who brought it back as a trophy in ww2. Clay was shoot by this thing and badly wounded, his buddies captured it and he brought it home. he relived the story many times.