MAG58 using MG42 style belt?

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bwingpilot

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Based on the picture below from the Rhodesian Bush War, has the MAG58 ever used MG42 style non-disintegrating belts? I've looked, but couldn't find this info anywhere...

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The MAG has been available in different versions to accept either the regular disintegrating links or the German DM6 belts. I'm not sure who has used the latter, though.

I'm pretty sure Rhodesia used disintegrating links in their MAGs and that is just a coiled radio wire in the picture.
 
tjhaile said:
The MAG has been available in different versions to accept either the regular disintegrating links or the German DM6 belts. I'm not sure who has used the latter, though.

I'm pretty sure Rhodesia used disintegrating links in their MAGs and that is just a coiled radio wire in the picture.
Click to expand...

I don't see a radio pack, and machine gunners don't usually carry the platoon's radio anyway. I'd suggest that it is actually the German-style non-disintegrating link belt.
 
You do know there is more than one type of radio with a hand set right? you do know that the Rhodesia Bush War did not use Canadian army tactics from 1944 right ?
If you enlarge the photo on your cell phone you will see its a hand set. you may also look up( fire force) .
images_1.jpeg

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images_2.jpeg
 
Haven't found anything definitive on Rhodesia's use but, non-disintegrating belt. I believe that what appears to be a handset is actually the starter tab. You wouldn't walk around the brush with a dangling handset getting tangled in everything.

Also appears to be hanging straight from the feed tray, not off the front of his body.
 
yonderin said:
Haven't found anything definitive on Rhodesia's use but, non-disintegrating belt. I believe that what appears to be a handset is actually the starter tab. You wouldn't walk around the brush with a dangling handset getting tangled in everything.

Also appears to be hanging straight from the feed tray, not off the front of his body.
Click to expand...

I agree. It's a starter tab. The reason some parts appear thicker/thinner is because the belt is rotating as its swinging.

It's 100% a non disintegrating belt.
 
National Geographic had a pic of a Rhodesian soldier with a 34/42 belt draped around his neck ,no sign of the machine gun.
J5 Muskeg
 
if you look at the space above the "belt", you will see the ejection port cover open at the bottom of the gun. the belt should be directly in line with this as it exits out the right side of the feed tray and cover and it would hang down there. there is a definitive gap. if it is a belt its hanging out of his pack or pocket
i remember getting issued/ given norweigian 7.62 nato on non disintegrating link belts in norway in 1990. it didn't work the best in the C6(MAG58). occasional feed issues. worked ok, but our stuff worked better.
 
after seeing a picture of a Rhodesian mag58 with a DM2 belt attached , I guess you guys could possibly be right . but I will reserve the right to not drink the water.
 
Image search on Google for MAG 58 turned up some pics of Rhodesians holding (supposedly firing) with an ammo pack attached to the gun and non-disintegrating belt.
 
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