Original Item: Only One Available. This is a stunning totally original German MG 13 Light Machine guns built on BATF compliant non-firing dummy receiver. It is made from an original demilitarized receiver, re-welded with 20% of the length omitted as required by the BATF. Because of this the carry handle is mounted forward of the rear mounting trunion, instead of behind.

The MG 13 was the standard light machine gun of the Wehrmacht from 1930 through 1934. The design, which was adapted from the Dreyse machine gun of World War One, is simple and rugged. From the tactical point of view, the Germans considered that the LMG they wanted had to be belt fed with a quick barrel change feature, which led to the MG 34 being adopted. Nevertheless, the MG 13 saw widespread use as a second-line light automatic weapon. Some countries, for example Great Britain, had fine success using a magazine-fed gun as their basic LMG (the BREN gun), and the United States had good success with the BAR in a similar role.

The MG 13 did have a relatively rapid barrel change feature, which permitted sustained firing over longer periods of time, but it was a little more involved and time consuming than the MG 34 and BREN. The BAR, of course, did not feature a quick-change barrel at all. In order to support the MG 13 in the sustained-fire role, each fire team was supplied with extra barrels.

This example bears multiple Waffenamt proofs on various components. It is also marked with the Portuguese Coat of Arms over 1938 on the right side, indicating that it was one of many German WWII Machine guns sent to the country during the 1930s, many of which were MG 13s, considered obsolete once the MG 34 entered production.

The display gun features all original parts including a foldable butt stock and functional bipod. The butt stock still locks into place, and an be folded back up along the right side of the receiver, retained by a spring loaded button, which still locks securely. The gun also comes with a wonderful set of double magazine pouches with neck strap, filled with 8 MG 13 magazines, one of which is pictured in the display gun. We used to have crates of these, but they dried up long ago. Deactivated magazines will be sent where prohibited.

As an even BETTER treat, also included is a wonderful MG-13 steel Magazine Box in its original factory-applied three color camouflage paint! We used to have somewhat large number of these, and they are painted with the same color that pre-war German tanks were, called the the Buntfarbenanstrich (colorful paint pattern). The pattern used three colors: RAL Nr. 17 Erdgelb-matt (matte earth yellow), RAL Nr. 18 Braun-matt (matte brown), and RAL Nr. 28 Grün-matt (matte green). The colors were sprayed onto the vehicle in the wavy pattern, with a different pattern for each vehicle. This pattern was later emulated by the famous "normandy pattern" used on Helmets during the war.

A really nice deactivated example of this important development in German firearms history with some fantastic accessories. Ready to display!

Specifications
Weight 13.3 kg (29 lb)
Length 1,443 mm (56.8 in)
Barrel length 718 mm (28.3 in)
Cartridge 7.92×57mm Mauser
Feed system 25 round box magazine, or 75 round saddle drum, 5 round stripper clip

The MG 13 (shortened from German Maschinengewehr 13) is a German light machine gun developed by converting the Dreyse Model 1918 heavy water-cooled machine gun, into an air-cooled version.

History
Dreyse Model 1918 Machinegun: In 1907 Louis Schmeisser of Erfurt patented a machinegun named in honor of the inventor of the needle gun by the heads of the factory where it was made which was founded by Dreyse. The Dreyse machinegun was a heavy, usually tripod mounted, belt-fed and water cooled machinegun.

The 1907 model was succeeded by the 1912 and later 1918 models. On ascending to power Adolf AH immediately ordered the Model 1918 to be modernized by the company Simson in Suhl. It became the MG13.

Usage
The MG 13 was introduced into service in 1930, where it served as the standard light machine gun until 1935. It was superseded by the MG 34 and then later the MG 42.

MG 13s were sold to Spain where they retained the designation of MG13 and to Portugal which used them into the late 1940s as the 'Metralhadora 7,92 mm m/1938 Dreyse. Those MG 13s that were not sold were placed into storage, and these later saw use in World War II by second line German units. As it was easy to handle and reload, many second line troops could use the MG 13 with efficiency.

On later examples a 75-round saddle drum was also used. It was equipped with a folding butt stock and a carrying handle It was used in the turret of the Panzer I tank.

The Chinese Nationalist Government also imported the MG 13 with the Panzer I Ausf A. tanks from Germany in 1936. The MG 13 was also used against the Japanese Imperial Army during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Portugal used it as squad automatic weapon during Portuguese Colonial War, under the name m/938.