MG42/53 spotting fakes/originals

What should I look for when deciding if a MG42 is an original WW2 German made example and not a post war gun dressed up to look like a war time example? Looking at the prices being asked on the U.K. de-acc market for original wartime examples and the various post war clones there is a huge difference in the prices. There must at least a risk that a few vendors will try to make a post war example look like a wartime model or does this not seem to have occurred and be a problem?
I am aware of the general appearance of the MG42 and the post war clones but am not aware of the finer details and what to look for to confirm it's originality. Generally, did the post war examples use many wartime parts? Thanks for any help.

Check the MKL for a 234 pic virtual tour ..

1943 MG42 Code "ar" Serial #133 (click here).

Hope that helps somewhat .. :)

Regards,
Doug

The M53 buffer and butt socket are different sizes and don’t readily interchange with the MG42.

IIRC, the breach block is different also but will interchange with the MG42.

The M53 did not have the anti-aircraft sight mount, but it’s a simple ten minute job to add one.

Those are the only mechanical differences that spring to mind at the moment. I am sure others who know more will chime in.

Real Nazi markings are common on the barrel gate, trunnion, barrel extension and accessories like mounts and belt drums.

Thanks for the info chaps. I don't know that there is a problem in the U.K. with vendors trying to fake MG42s. It's just looking at the price differences on the U.K. de-acc market that there is a theoretical risk of a minority of vendors trying to do so. The price for a de-acc M53 start at just over the £500 mark whereas the MG42s sell in the region of £1700 to £20000 mark for a good example.