1:35 MG34 Early Version Milled Drum Magazine

A drum magazine in the early milled rendering

The item deals with a single but well visible element: the magazine in the shape of a drum as the German MG 34 machine gun carried it. The name specifies that this is the early form produced by machining from solid material. You are buying a replacement detail for an already built weapon, not a freestanding object.

Why milled and stamped are distinguished

The first series of these weapons came about by demanding machine production with a large share of milled parts. As production ran up into large numbers, the milled parts were replaced by stampings, which were cheaper and faster. In a reduction the difference is recognized by sharper edges and a different division of the surface, so it makes sense to choose the form according to the period you are building.

How to seat the part

Fit the magazine dry and check whether its axis sits parallel to the receiver. A tilted drum is visible at first glance. Glue it at spots and let the joint harden without handling. In painting a shade somewhat darker than the body of the weapon helps, and a fine accentuating of the rims, so that the part does not merge with its surroundings. Finally check that after seating the magazine does not touch the mount or the hand of a figure and that the weapon still stands on its original axis.

It suits

• builders of German equipment in 1:35 scale
• modelers who are tuning the early phase of production of the weapon
• makers of figure scenes with a crew at a mount
• anyone interested in a finer replacement for a coarser shape
• collectors who compare production series