Brendon wrote:
You certainly dont carry it like that in the field, unless well behind the front line
To carry a 13 kg weapon plus attached ammunition belts around the battlefield when out of contact, in the ready or firing position or facing forward, is an impossible task. Its just too heavy and it is balanced to be a ground fire weapon, hence the bipod. Also, the rate of fire does not allow for accurate shooting off the hip unless in an assault support role.
Thats why 99% of pics of admin moves, relocation from position to position, moving up to the line and switching firing positions in combat lulls both in the line and behind feature the method employed in the pic of myself. (BTW this pic was taken during a move back to the bivouac area in any case...) It balances perfectly on the real thing as well as the repro and it is THE most comfortable way to carry an authentic weighted or real MG34. Swinging the gun into a firing position is also VERY quick and easy from the shoulder. I have carried an MG3 (new MG42) and ammo during dismounted operations in this fashion whilst in the regular army and it works for that weapon as well. (1st Armoured regiment had MG3s as part of the Leopard armament). There is no way you can sustain a "patrol" held position with an LMG of this weight for long and expect to be able to accurately fight with the weapon at the end of the move.
The MG34 slings primary function is to act as a carry handle when in actual combat moves by folding the slings two parts up over the outside of the gun on both sides and gathering over the feed cover. Retrieval of the gun when getting off the ground during engagements and moving forward is also recommended using this method. It also acts as a brace/ suspension strap when assaulting and firing "off the hip". According to the MG34 manual this is achieved by unclipping the front carbine hook and looping the sling over the head. With the pistol grip still attached to the sling swivel point and the sling passing over the outside of the receiver, you can almost balance the gun in a firing position by using just the pistol grip. You can actually control the gun using the sling. Slinging the gun over the shoulder rifle fashion was mainly used on parades and when on long marches as a relief from the shoulder carry. It also takes a lot longer to unsling a gun from a rifle fashion position and bring it to a firing position that it does on the shoulder carry- especially when wearing equipment that snags and catches on the damn thing. Carry strap is probably a better term for the sling.
Here are a few original, front line area pics depicting the method Craig pictured me at... note the first pic- definite combat activity there...
cheers
Steve Haynes
And lucky last- the guy with the stahlhelm on his belt, left of the picture;
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