Mystery Belt Fed Machine Gun Top Cover

[peregrinvs]

Picked out amongst various other WWI and WWII relics. I initially thought it was for the MG34, but there seem to be various differences. Any idea what it is from? It’s about 32cm long and 4.5cm wide at the rear.

It weighs 863 grams. If I had to guess, I’d say it had been machined from solid rather than stamped.

[42rocker]

Very Interesting. Hope someone posts the answer.

Later 42rocker

[browningautorifle]

German MG 81 machine gun...

[peregrinvs]

Thank you.

I would flatter myself that I am reasonably knowledgeable about WWII German small arms, but I have no recollection of previously hearing of the MG81 before your post. I would guess they are rarer than the MG34 and MG42?

It was purchased purely as a ‘have fun cleaning it up’ project and I am hoping to restore some functionality to the feed mechanism as it seems to be intact and not badly rust damaged. I intend to give it a soak in some Sodium Citrate solution. (The budget Evaporust alternative) Hopefully some of the markings will still be legible.

[peregrinvs]

Further googling suggests it’s from the left hand gun in an MG81Z (twin) installation. I can also faintly make out ‘G’ and ‘8’ markings.

[browningautorifle]

Maybe a reverse electrolysis candidate? Would sure make most of that rust fall off...

[RCS]

My photos show the type of disintegrating links used with the 7,92x57 cartridges in the MG 81

These links have WW2 German markings

[ssgross]

Maybe a reverse electrolysis candidate? Would sure make most of that rust fall off...

I would suggest evaporust. I did electrolysis once before I found/used this stuff. Not sure if it's available in the UK though.

[peregrinvs]

I would suggest evaporust. I did electrolysis once before I found/used this stuff. Not sure if it's available in the UK though.

You can get Evaporust in the UK, but it’s expensive. This stuff is almost as good and a lot cheaper:


---------- Post added at 05:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:38 PM ----------

My photos show the type of disintegrating links used with the 7,92x57 cartridges in the MG 81

These links have WW2 German markingsAttachment 138448Attachment 138449Attachment 138450

Thank you. I’ve read they have special links, but hadn’t seen a clear illustration.

---------- Post added at 05:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:39 PM ----------

Maybe a reverse electrolysis candidate? Would sure make most of that rust fall off...

Yes. I might do the heavy lifting with electrolysis and then finish it off in Sodium Citrate.

[ssgross]

but it’s expensive.

Sorry to hear that. It's super cheap here. On another topic, that backyard ballistics guy has another video I saw where he uses a micro stick welder (jewelry welder?) to fill in severe pitting. The kit he used though was I think in the $thous.

I was very surprised in the video at ~11:56, and now I wonder if the UK formulation of evaporust is different than here, perhaps different regulations? I bring it up because I have the same gallon jug, been used for dozens of projects most of which were way worse off than his magazines. I have never seen evaporust turn black, and my jug is still going. I'm almost certain the pH of evaporust is much higher than his solution which is why it was taking longer after after a few test pieces. I didn't see him provide the pH of evaporust, or did I miss it? Nonetheless, the sodium citrate recipe is in my notebook now in case I ever need it.