MG42 early pre-production bipod + stud

An incredibly rare original early, pre-production era bipod for the MG42 - even coming complete with the full original retainer stud!The only complete example of this type as a spare part set that we have ever come across in 15+ years of specialising in MG34/42 items!This bipod would have been fitted to 1942 dated MG42s and its production run was ended in early 1943 when theWaffenmeisterwere ordered to replace them with the later, simplified 'standard' design.It is very nicely maker coded '98E' and features numerousWaffenamtproof marks throughout being such an early example.An incredibly rare part set to find, and one which would complete any early MG42 perfectly with both the bipod and retainer stud applied!