Post War use of MG42/MG3 by West German Army

[Flying10uk]

If you look at the pictures in post 36, just above the gap between the "4" and "2", I think that you can just make out the partial remains of the original "G", of the MG42 designation marking.

The star does appear to be a 5 pointed example in this instance; would this still be an Israeli star?

[mrclark303]

Luckily, with the body side marks having been linished off, it is a relatively simple job to resurrect them again using chemicals - or whatever these clever forensic folk use. This is the mistake that the car thieves used to make with chassis numbers. So the true number was easy to identify because the striations remain in the structure of the steel.

While we're here, Tankie mentioned the Israeli 6 pointed star with the oddly shaped Y in the centre. Seen it several times. Anyone any idea what it says/means. You there Jonny C?

I think the y is Hebrew for industries or Military Industries Peter.

[matthanne1]

The character used (crooked y) is the 'Tsadi', I think it means Tzahal, or Defense Force, ie Army.

[tankhunter]

The character used (crooked y) is the 'Tsadi', I think it means Tzahal, or Defense Force, ie Army.

Many Thanks for that 'Already, My Life, My Wife,! Gun, Schmun. 'These Guns are not for using. They are for buying & selling Already!' LOL

The Izzies get a bad press sometimes. But they are Innovative in Engineering designs, & I have seen some very interesting stuff made by them.
When you consider their original situation, they have HAD to develop in self sufficiency over the years. Not just to be world leaders in certain areas.
but born out of the very need to survive!

Galil & Uzi are but Two items that sping to mind!

---------- Post added at 03:44 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:35 AM ----------

If you look at the pictures in post 36, just above the gap between the "4" and "2", I think that you can just make out the partial remains of the original "G", of the MG42 designation marking.

The star does appear to be a 5 pointed example in this instance; would this still be an Israeli star?

RE: The Star. No, I would say not in my opinion. It might be an inspection stamp or 'proof' stamp of some kind. But a 'Star' marking was used for MANY
Purposes in many Military Uses. To indicate different things. So we are not really any further forward on identifying this gun's 'cleansing'.

My Money is still shakily on an israellie in service overhaul at one time..........

[Time Bandit]

Here's a pic of the Israelli property mark thingy on an MG34...

[tankhunter]

Yes TM, very common to see this. & the circled marking beside it is also an israelie one.

I have handled a LOT & owned a few of the dot 1945 dated MG34's similar to this. & Noted, ALL of them also had the Israelie inspection/ property stamps on them!

And also strangely for them, ALMOST all of the 34's still had the original markings & WaAmpt
Inspection stamps intact!.....

[Time Bandit]

Not sure if you like people linking to other forums but if it's ok then there is a thread on WAF all about the post war MG34's.

Post War MG34 thread...

If linking to elsewhere is frowned upon then Mod's please feel free to delete.

[can14&]

During the 1970s I brought a large number of mg42s into Canada from Israel. Many of them were in
excellent condition. The israeli military at some point changed all the numbers by re numbering or
grinding some of the number off. These guns had mostly wood buttstock with some black plastic.
Other than that, most of the marking were just over stamped with rebuild or service markings.
I have a few that I kept. The interesting thing was there was a lot of belts that were twice as long as
normal. I was told that they were for fixed location.

[Flying10uk]

can14, could you post some pictures of the numbers that the Israelis changed by grinding and over-stamping, please, and any other Israeli specific numbers on the MG42s that you have left. Thanks.