How to ID German MG belts

[Claven2]

A forum member asked me over the weekend at a local milsurp shooting match how to ID German MG34 and MG42 belts and starter tabs from post-war ones (ie, Israeli, Yugo, etc.).

So I figured I'd do a little post about it here. The below picture shows all the possibly styles of German marked belts. Belts are always marked on the tabs if German, and starter tabs are also marked on the tab, and if converted from type 1 tabs to type 2 tabs, the conversion date will be stamped into the tongue (see last photo, bottom right, for an example of a conversion date stamp).

Some late war tabs may not be marked at all. In those cases, you can't distinguish them from post-war tabs which are generally unmarked. Only pay a premium for marked belts as shown below.

http://www.milsurps.com/images/imported/deleted.gif

[Claven2]

From top left to right, bottom left to right:
BSW = Berlin-Suhler-Waffenwerke
B = Carl Barth, Radeberg in Sachsen
993 = Siemens-Schukert, Berlin
adc = William Prym, Stolberg/Rheinland
agy = agy = Benn G.m.b.H, Bielitz O/S
92E = ?

[Badger]

From top left to right, bottom left to right:
BSW = Berlin-Suhler-Waffenwerke
B = Carl Barth, Radeberg in Sachsen
993 = Siemens-Schukert, Berlin
adc = ?
agy = ?
92E = ?

Agy? How about agv = Berg & Co., Solingen-Ohligs 41-44
Adc = William Prym, Stolberg/Rheinland
92E = don't know

Regards,
Badger

[Claven2]

Thanks Doug,

It's definitely agy, so not sure?

So many subs made belts, they may be totally unknown codes today. The point, however, is to show all the styles of german MG belt markings, not all the codes (there are hundreds of belt codes).

[Missing Something]

agy = Benn G.m.b.H, Bielitz O/S

[Claven2]

agy = Benn G.m.b.H, Bielitz O/S

Thanks! - Info added.

[Klunk]

Interesting

whats the diff in tab types?

[Claven2]

The difference is in marking type, waffenampt type, and orientation.

First we have the early nazi eagle WaA with classic BSW logo. Next we have the typical Nazi WaA with maker's code in one orientation, then the typical Nazi WaA with maker's code in the opposite orientation orientation, and finally both orientations of the code markings without waffenampt.

Only one I'm missing is the pre-1936 Weimar Waffenampt marked belt. It looks just liek the BSW tab except with the early stick figure eagle. Only made before 1936, extremely rare. I've only ever seen them in textboks.

[Claven2]

Of course, there are a few different types of links with different finishes and link designs, but those alone aren't enough to say German or not. The yugos, Norwegians and Israelis also used more than one link design. They also repaired damaged belts. I have one reblued German tabbed belt with sections of three other belts in it (sme with old blued over rust pitting), all with different link designs. Works too!

[Missing Something]

Claven2, where did you find the "993" code?

[Claven2]

I didn't. But WaA inspector 710 spent 1939 through 1941 at Siemens-Shukert, so it can't be anything else. I think 993 is a previously unpublished code for them.