MG 34 Machine Gun, Germany 1934

Description of the Product

The Maschinengewehr 34, i.e. the machine gun model 1934 or abbreviated MG-34, was the world's first universal machine gun. The idea behind ​​the universal machine gun was to build a single machine gun that would replace a light machine gun, a heavy machine gun, and that could also be used when installed in vehicles and for air defense. So a single weapon that could be easily and quickly converted to any use. Separate weapons had previously been used for these separate needs.

This belt-fed multi-purpose weapon could be used with a front support and belt clip like a sniper rifle and a light machine gun. At that time, one or two fighters were able to carry and use the weapon in various ways and moving as infantry support. The weapon was in the weight class of the heaviest light machine guns, meaning the weapon was portable and usable by one man, even though in practice it usually was used by two men. Typically, one acted as a shooter and the other carried ammunition, loaded and assisted in the use of the weapon.

Alternatively, this weapon could be used with a heavier tripod and a binocular sight in a firing station, bunker, or other fortified station. The heavier stand had a fixed installation, which gave the gun support and accuracy.

A third use was added by a three-pronged anti-aircraft stand and a special anti-aircraft sight. Sometimes several MG-34s were mounted in one rack for more effective air defense. A further fourth option for using the weapon was as a machine gun mounted on vehicles and tanks. For all of these alternatives, the gun came with replacement parts, it could be disassembled, and it had different attachment points for conversion.

Under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany would not have been allowed to develop heavy machine guns, so Germany kept the development of the weapon a secret until 1939, by which time 50,000 MG-34 machine guns were already in use. Manufacturing volumes were high and the MG-34 was one of Germany’s most important infantry weapons in World War II.

The weapon was capable of firing either single shots or repeat fire. The firing speed could be changed to make it suitable for different uses. For example, in anti-aircraft use, the weapon had to be fired as quickly as possible so that a small object flying fast had a better probability of being hit. However, the fastest possible rate of fire was not appropriate in land combat, where accuracy was more important than speed.

The MG-34 had a dual trigger that determined whether the gun fired single shots semi-automatically or if it’s fully automatic. When the trigger was pulled from the bottom, the gun fired fully automatically and when the trigger was pulled from the top, it fired semi-automatically.

In Finland, the MG-34 was first seen in use just before the Continuation War by the German army, as the German army prepared to attack the Soviet Union via Finland in Operation Barbarossa. Later, after the start of the Continuation War, Finland did not directly buy MG-34 machine guns, but they were obtained with vehicles and tanks purchased from Germany. The assault cannons and combat tanks acquired in 1943-44 came with about a hundred machine guns and these were in use during the Continuation War. The Finnish SS battalion of volunteers also used the MG-34 machine gun throughout its service on the eastern front of Germany.

• This gun is an exact replica of the original. The replica matches the original in size and weight. The loading and unloading mechanisms of the weapon are working.  The front support can be opened and closed and detached and reattached. Due to the materials used, the mechanisms cannot withstand continuous cocking and firing for long periods.
• Genuine wood and cast metal has been used to make this replica weapon. Zamac differs from steel in many respects, so the structure of the gun does not withstand pressure, it cannot be used to fire bullets, nor can it be converted to a functional weapon by any means.
• Replica guns such as this do not require permits in Finland, nor in many other countries. However, since the gun looks real, it should not be carried in public.
•  A replica gun is perfect for historical re-enactment, on a theater stage, in film productions, for collectors of historical memorabilia, and as decoration.
• Length: 122 cm
• Width of support legs: c. 41 cm
• Weight: 6,94 kg
• Manufacturer: Denix, Spain

Due to the nature of this item please read about shipping options/restrictions if ordering outside Finland.   –More information about international shipping- 

Wartime training videos showing MG 34.