Original German WWII MG 34/42 Gurtfüller 2nd Model Machine Gun Belt Loader by Hasag, Hugo Schneider AG, Abteilung Lampenfabrik, Leipzig - Dated 1943
Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. Now this is a lovely piece of WWII German machine gun history. This item actually answers a lot of questions people have about how ammunition belts are loaded and reloaded with rounds. This stapler looking device has a hopper on top which feeds the 7.92×57mm Mauser ammunition down into the “chamber” to be pressed into the ammunition links that are fitted to the tray. The user then presses down the handle until the belt is full and then repeats the process until they reach the desired amount of ammo belts needed. Quite a simple and ingenious little device!
This model Gurtfüller is the second type, the first being the hand crank variation which is more often encountered. This 2nd Model is in wonderful condition and appears to be complete, though not a complete set as it comes with a storage box and tools. The hopper is still easily removed and bears crisp legible markings.
ZR Gurtfüller 41 Wa255 235
There are no deformities to the hopper other than needing a good cleaning. Much of the original finish, though worn is still present.
The actual base of the machine is where the magic happens. The base has a similar appearance to that of a desktop stapler or even a hole punch. All you have to do is press the pedal on the back and it does all the work for you. All pieces appear to be present and in functional condition and still has a good amount of lubrication present which most definitely helped in preserving this item. The sides still bear complete manufacturer information:
Wa 43 Gurtfüller 41
The “Wa 43” marking is for 1943 manufacture by Hasag, Hugo Schneider AG, Abteilung Lampenfabrik, Leipzig, a well known manufacturer of the Wehrmacht LP42 signal flare pistols. HASAG was a German metal goods manufacturer founded in 1863. Based in Leipzig, it grew from a small business making lamps and other small metal products by hand into a large factory and publicly traded company that sold its wares in several countries. During the Second World War, Hasag became a NSDAP arms-manufacturing conglomerate with dozens of factories across German-occupied Europe using slave labor on a massive scale. Tens of thousands of Jews from Poland, and other prisoners, died producing munition for Hasag.
It began making armaments during the First World War, a decision that ultimately increased the company's profitability. The loss of military business after the war resulted in dropping sales. HASAG struggled during the 1920s in the Weimar Republic. As the NSDAP Party grew in influence and eventually came to power in 1933, growing militarism led to the company's return to small arms production under the new SS leadership. Following the invasion of Poland at the onset of World War II the company expanded to accommodate thousands of NS-Zwangsarbeiters from concentration camps and ghettos. It was the third largest user of forced labor in Europe, with armaments factories in Germany and Poland. Though HASAG was dismantled after the war, the trademark remained in use until 1974.
This is a wonderful piece of machinery, one that was used extensively by MG teams all across the various fronts of the war. Comes more than ready for further research and display.
- This product is not available for international shipping.
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