Product Details
Rheinmetall / PB Beretta MG42/59 parts kit. Includes the incredibly rare 1200 gram heavy bolt and heavy buffer for the slowest possible rate of fire in your NFA MG. This is a rare evolutionary MG that bridges the gap between the MG42 & MG3
MG42/59 was a Rheinmetall licensed MG42 variant to be made by Beretta for use by the Italian military. This collaboration resulted in one of the most beautiful beltfeds to come out of Europe. Some parts are marked PB Beretta with Italian proof marks. Other parts have discreet Rheinmetall stamps or Rheinmetall subcontractor markings which are also found on German issued MG1/MG3. These kits were demillled in Italy and are correct issue guns! These are not a hodgepodge of mixed parts, but correct kits out of Italy.
Based solely on looks, the MG42/59 is my favorite version of the MG42. It's not just an evolutionary missing link that bridges the gap between the MG42 and the MG3/MG74. It also doesn't show some of the production cost savings that the later models exhibited. The refined machining of the muzzle cone, front receiver bushing and booster assembly is unique and quite cool looking. Little things like the stamped reinforcements on the locking lever for muzzle cone are super improvements not found on later guns. (More than 60% of the levers that came out of Germany were bent or cracked. These extra little stampings would have benefited the MG3!)
Features:
- Licensed by Rhinemetall to be made in collaboration with PB Beretta for Italy
- 7.62x51mm NATO
- Heavy 1200 gram bolt body complete with MG3 style bolt head
- Heavy buffer, which is correct and required to safely run the heavy bolt in your NFA MG42/1/3/74
- Unique front muzzle area. Looks like a wartime front-end from a few feet away. Up close it is much more interesting.
- Unique 2200 meter 7.62NATO sight. (MG42 is 2000m, MG3 is 1200m)
- Unique markings throughout
- Strengthened locking lever for muzzle cone.
- Bipod is a stepping stone between the MG42 and MG3 pods.
- Top cover and feed tray are similar to the MG1-A3. Looks like a MG42 from the outside.
- We found production dates ranging from 1966 to 1968. We did not check dates on every kit so some may be earlier/later.
- Takes standard MG1, MG3, MG74 barrels (barrel not included)
- Conditions range from very-good to excellent.
- Hand Select? All kits will be shipped first come first served. Best kit will ship to the first order, worst kit will ship to the last order.
Negatives? Yes a couple:
- Obviously the price. Many people have paid close to this price for just the heavy bolt and buffer. If you know what these parts are, this kit is a great deal.
- Buttstocks run a mix of conditions that do not always match the condition of the kit. Buttstock markings and exact style vary quite a bit. These are what came with the guns when demilled. When placed on a fixed mount it's normal for the buttstock to be removed. Later when the drills are over, the correct buttstock does not alwasy end up on the correct MG.
- Receiver is demilled per ATF rules using a wide cutting tourch. For those who have kits from earlier decades, you'll like where the ATF instructed the cuts to be made.
- Barrel and barrel extension are not included. They had to be left overseas.
- It's a parts kit. We do our best to ensure completeness, but if a tiny bolt or screw is missing, or gets lost under your work bench: you'll have to find a replacement. All the little parts interchange with the MG42/1/3 so they should be easy finds.
Pictures for reference:
Three different, complete parts kits shown in the images. Two of the kits were randomly selected and show average condition. The third kit is the worst kit we have. This kit will ship last. It is shown in image #22, which is the third to last image.
Images #20 #21 show the variation of the buttstocks.
Last image is a kit that one of our team put together after hours for a wall display. Took about 4 hours of tinkering with basic tools and some wire. Besides the wire, the only item not included with the kit is the barrel which helps hold everything together. Wire keeps a couple main pieces hanging together for a display (zip ties would work too). Of course it's non functional. If you try to manipulate the assemblies it will fall apart. It makes a great display as-is.
Thanks for reading and happy shooting!
