1942 Dated Maget MG42 Amnesty Registered

[GEJ]

Hey gents, I figured I'd share this one. This is a really cool, mostly matching 1942, dated MG42, made by Maget. I picked this up recently. This gun does have some usage and characteristic to it. However, this gun is extremely cool in the aspect that it retains mostly matching serial numbers, with the exception of the barrel, which is unnumbered, the feed tray, and the bolt. However, the feed tray looks to be from an earlier 1942 MG42, given that it has the full four digits instead of the last two. Wanted to share, and also wanted to see if anybody might have another Magit 1942 dated MG42 to compare? It's rather interesting on this one, as the lower two seems to have a mismatched serial number on the left side by the trigger, but was force-matched by armor or matched somewhere along the lines in the field with the last two digits. This one alao has the early style MG34/42 bipod as well. Enjoy, gents.

 

[Annihilator]

Does it have the improved three wire main spring ? What is the diamter of the buffer? 

[GEJ]

2 hours ago, Annihilator said:

Does it have the improved three wire main spring ? What is the diamter of the buffer? 

Just compared it with my two other 42s and indeed does seem to have the early buffer and spring as well!

[Planejack]

Absolutely Gorgeous Gage!

[GEJ]

Thanks Jack! 

[Annihilator]

Could you maybe post a picture of the „early“ spring?

Many thanks

[GEJ]

4 hours ago, Annihilator said:

Could you maybe post a picture of the „early“ spring?

Many thanks

Swapped photos my bad mine does indeed have later buffer and three recoil spring. Ill still post pictures my bad on that!

[Annihilator]

Thank you!

[Planejack]

Hey, this is a real “Rookie” question….but approximately when did Maget stop using the Bakelite Buttstocks on their production guns?  

[GEJ]

On 7/22/2025 at 9:58 AM, Planejack said:

Hey, this is a real “Rookie” question….but approximately when did Maget stop using the Bakelite Buttstocks on their production guns?  

Jack i think they did it around mid 43, when they switched to wood!

[GEJ]

On 7/22/2025 at 5:17 AM, Annihilator said:

Thank you!

Excellent gun Annihilator. Amnesty Gun? Is yours all matching? Any back story on your example? 

[MS Collector]

Thanks for posting . . . it is very interesting to see the specific subcomponents and small parts that were numbered to the guns on early production MG42's.  These early parts numbering conventions are not something that I recall being the subject of any in-depth treatment in reference books . . . but perhaps I missed something.  Is anyone aware of any in-depth study of early MG42 parts numbering?

I have a (somewhat) early 1943 production MG42, but the only matching component remaining is the feed tray. 

Just for fun, I'm also tossing in one of my favorite wartime photos of MG42's; hope you enjoy!

[GEJ]

Alan beautiful Steyr 42! Has yours been upgraded to the cam action charging handle? Also any back story with yours? Ill PM you maybe we can talk about the early examples!

Thanks Gage

[MS Collector]

Yes - it is upgraded to the cam action charging handle.  I don't have much backstory . . . it was a consignment gun I acquired about 8-10 years ago via Bob Naess.  A FOIA request did reveal a few details.  While I don't have the FOIA materials handy at the moment, I recall that were were able to ascertain (via some redactions NFA Branch missed) that it was owned by an oil & gas guy in Houston in the very early 1970's.  I believe that the "Birth Certificate" was a late 1950s' report of import together with other (redacted) guns . . . but I can't recall for sure and would need to pull the papers and check.

[Planejack]

Great picture!  You’ll note the Dot44 (Camo) on helmet….and behind it the Beretta 38 SMG!