Drum Carrier opinions.

[Franz20]

I "scored" and I use this term loosely, some Original German MG-42 Drums and a carrier. All original, but All rusted. It's got dirt/rust etc and has some pitting holes here and there.

My question is should I ditch it? Or make an attempt to fix it?

I was hoping I could sell the two original drums and score some Yugo drums. (good for the purpose I would be using them.


http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg4 ... w60_12.jpg

I will try and get more photos of the damage.

Please let me know your opinions.

Thanks

Franz

[42rocker]

Are you sure that they are originals? Found the markings? If so then your plan might work out.
I always seem to like a plan that "saves" the original German stuff and uses the yugo stuff. Wear out the yugo and try to preserve the German stuff.

Good Luck

Later 42rocker

[Franz20]

http://i1240.photobucket.com/albums/gg4 ... aspx-1.jpg

Yes they are both original. As I was walnut blasting them I was able to reveal panzer Grey paint.

I consider myself a collector as much as the next guy. BUT I think I will just try to fix these up and post them for sale. I need "useable" drums and carrier and I would prefer them to be post war.

Franz

[K98dkmauser]

how much do you want for them

[Franz20]

I'm not even sure, I would really like to get myself a set of yugo drums.

I'd trade evenly for that. 2 drums for 2 drums.

Franz

[Franz20]

Well,

I've begun the restoration process. I am documenting it step by step for future restorers. So far I sand blasted, then walnut blasted the rest of the drums and carrier. There was ALOT of pitting and holes. BUT, I refuse to sit idly by and let this rust.

I mixed up a concoction of JB weld and I am slowly patching up each hole.

I then plan on carefully sanding down the cold weld.

I will add primer and see how it looks.

There may be obvious deformations (due to the rust damage), but I think after several *cough* *thousand* *cough*, coats of primer and Panzer Grey paint, it should look good.

My goal is to stop the rust process, refill what damage has already been done and get these back to useable condition.

Franz

[42rocker]

Looking forward to seeing your work. Thanks

Later 42rocker

[Franz20]

Ok,

Here is what I started with









(This one stabbed my hand in the process...I was very tempted to stab the rest of this piece of history, "Psycho" style. )

But I was determined to try and save this piece of....ehem, history.

Continuing...


(Panzer Grey?)









The after:





I am coating the stripped metal with "Rust-oleum" to prevent further/future rot. I will smooth the metal out with a high-grit sand paper. I found a can of this stuff used to coat refrigerator handles (basically a can of black rubber epoxy). I will coat the inside of the drums (once stripped and rust proofed) to ad a tough water proof, seal. Then I will paint everything panzer grey.

It's a ton of work, but I hope it will be worth it. It may not be "pristine and perfect", but it should last a lot longer than if left in it's previous condition.

I will post more updates as I progress...or digress.


Franz
If not careful, the bound to be "handless" handymann