German MG34 Machine Gun : Corporal J H Edmondson, VC, 2/17 Battalion

German MG34 Machine Gun. The breech is marked BSW over 1937 and the serial number. The barrel has an air cooled barrel jacket. The butt is wooden and is marked with the serial number. The pistol grips are black plasic and the trigger is marked E for single fire and D for continuous fire.
The weapon is complete except for the firing pin.

This German MG34 general purpose machine gun was captured during a dawn attack on post R33, Libya on 14 April 1941 and was in close proximity to the point where Corporal Edmondson won the Victoria Cross during an attack on enemy forces. It is believed that this party had been in position during the counter attack in which Edmondson was wounded. The whole crew of the gun was found dead alongside it. The machine gun was salvaged and was also pressed into service against enemy forces. This weapon was a highly prized trophy by the 2/17 Australian Infantry Battalion.