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LOT 1386
Rare Consecutively Numbered World War II German MG81Z
Twin Mount Machine Gun Combo, Class III/NFA C&R -A) Mauser
MG81, Class III/NFA C&R Fully Transferable Machine Gun - Serial
no. 53393, 7.92 mm cal., 19 inch round bbl., blue/phosphate finish,
metal stock. Developed as a replacement for the MG15 machine
gun, the MG81 was intended for use as aircraft armament in flexible
mounts, both as individual weapons and in the “MG81Z” twin mount
configuration. The MG81Z was installed in many German aircraft
in the intended flex mount role, along with being used in fixed
rear-firing defensive mounts on the Do217 bomber and used in the
ground attack role by putting three MG81Zs in a gun pod (six total
machine guns per pod) for strafing attacks. Additionally, the 81 and
81Z would see limited use in ground combat roles. The 81s in this lot
share a mounting bracket attached to the heat shields that doubles
as the mounting point for an included anti-aircraft sight, ribbed
pistol grip with a single trigger, steel rod buttstock with canvas pad,
and a swiveling ejector unit head.