The MG 81 is a German belt fed 7.92×57mm Mauser machine gun which was used in flexible installations in World War II Luftwaffe aircraft, in which capacity it replaced the older drum magazine-fed MG 15. The MG 81 was developed by Mauser as a derivative of their successful MG 34 general-purpose machine gun. Development focus was to reduce production cost and time and to optimize the machine gun for use in aircraft. Developed in 1938/1939, it was in production from 1940 to 1945. A special twin-mount MG 81Z (the Z suffix stands for Zwilling, meaning "twin") was introduced in 1942. It paired up two of the weapons on one mount to provide even more firepower. The MG 81 was used in several types of Luftwaffe bombing and recce aircraft like the Ju-87D, Ju-88, He-177, Ju-188 (an image of an MG41 is illustrated in image 1, in the image below the MG81 a double barrel MG81Z can be seen. The guns in the image are for illustration purposes only and are not included). This is an original deactivated German MG81 spare single barrel in its transit case with the webbing carrying strap. The barrel is deactivated by condition (breech slotted and barrel blocked). The barrel is stamped with Luftwaffe Eagle inspection stamp, calibre detail number 34775, U above 210 and twh manufacturer code (unknown) alongside ‘42’ 1942 date (illustrated in the images). The barrel’s transit case is of pressed steel construction with a hinged lid and clasp fastener. The container retains much of its original green paint finish. The price includes UK delivery and no licence is required to retain this barrel in the UK if retained as part of a collection or display. D 1486
£495.00