Sale Price:
£95.00
Original Price:
£115.00
German MG34/42 Ammunition Drum Basket – Battlefield Relic
A superb battlefield-recovered German MG34/42 machine gun drum ammunition basket, presented in exceptional condition. Better described as a semi-relic, this is a rare example retaining a significant amount of its original black paint.
The basket is complete and structurally very sound, with only light surface rust, a few small rust holes, and no major damage or heavy pitting—remaining smooth to the touch. The lid still opens and closes, although the locking mechanism is missing, and it retains its original carry handle, which remains fully movable.
Carefully cleaned for preservation, it still shows traces of silt and debris from its time on the lake bed, adding to its authenticity. Importantly, it is solid throughout—no flaking, deterioration, or structural weakness—making it an ideal and highly displayable piece for any serious collection.
Provenance
This basket was recovered from a lake near the town of Plzeň (Pilsen) in former Czechoslovakia. This area is historically significant as the location where elements of the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich surrendered to American forces in May 1945.
The remnants of the division largely surrendered west of Prague, including the Pilsen area, around 8–9 May 1945, following the formal German capitulation.
Additional Information
Supplied with 2 x A5 laminated information cards to accompany the piece.
German MG34/42 Ammunition Drum Basket – Battlefield Relic
A superb battlefield-recovered German MG34/42 machine gun drum ammunition basket, presented in exceptional condition. Better described as a semi-relic, this is a rare example retaining a significant amount of its original black paint.
The basket is complete and structurally very sound, with only light surface rust, a few small rust holes, and no major damage or heavy pitting—remaining smooth to the touch. The lid still opens and closes, although the locking mechanism is missing, and it retains its original carry handle, which remains fully movable.
Carefully cleaned for preservation, it still shows traces of silt and debris from its time on the lake bed, adding to its authenticity. Importantly, it is solid throughout—no flaking, deterioration, or structural weakness—making it an ideal and highly displayable piece for any serious collection.
Provenance
This basket was recovered from a lake near the town of Plzeň (Pilsen) in former Czechoslovakia. This area is historically significant as the location where elements of the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich surrendered to American forces in May 1945.
The remnants of the division largely surrendered west of Prague, including the Pilsen area, around 8–9 May 1945, following the formal German capitulation.
Additional Information
Supplied with 2 x A5 laminated information cards to accompany the piece.
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