This is very interesting photo, but i think it's from testing that gun. Picture is early, trailer is Sonderanhänger 201, and soldiers don't have y-harness.
Gunshield is very unusual. It's higher than normal, and reinforcement strip at the top prevents high angles. Normal shields are open above recuperator.
I have never seen outriggers below horisontal. They are adjustable, small wheel left of outrigger is for leveling, but that much?
Handwheel for gun elevation is removed and replaced with bicycle chain. To give full control to one man?
Gun is clearly modified to be only AT-gun, so are these men from Luftwaffe or wermacht?
Dendro (Sun 17 Jun 2018 04:07:06 PM EDT)
@Nickdfresh: That might be some case of 'lost in translation'. In German language you are referring to a "Leichtes Maschinengewehr" (Light machine gun) when its configured as a portable variant with a bipod, that is fielded within a squad.
A "Schweres Maschinengewehr" (heavy machine gun) is a stationary weapon placed on a mount ("Feldlafette") with mostly defensive value.
However, due to German infantry doctrine both roles could be fulfilled by the same weapon, just with a different usage.
Comparing with modern designations you are absolutly correct, I would also consider it to be an MMG.
Nickdfresh (Sun 17 Jun 2018 03:29:18 PM EDT)
Not sure the MG34 was a "light" MG. I think maybe medium or general purpose machine-gun better fits the description?
Gulfview (Sun 17 Jun 2018 12:35:04 PM EDT)
Interesting!
Gulfview (Sat 16 Jun 2018 03:13:36 PM EDT)
It was also manufactured in Hungary for the national army. Because it had a low muzzle velocity, it penetration was weak and its production was stopped. It was often used instead as a sniper rifle. A great photo.
Gulfview (Sat 16 Jun 2018 03:07:54 PM EDT)
A good photo. Thanks.
Łukasz (Wed 13 Jun 2018 11:00:09 AM EDT)
Danzig 1945 (Poland)
Łukasz (Wed 13 Jun 2018 10:56:32 AM EDT)
DANZIG(POLAND) 1945.
DieGrosseSchlag (Wed 13 Jun 2018 04:57:42 AM EDT)
The soldier is manning a Czech Kulomet vz. 37 7.92 mm. heavy machinegun. It was adopted as the standard Czech heavy machinegun one year before the German occupation and kept in production during the war under the German designation Maschinengewehr MG 37(t). It saw widespread use and was the basis for the British Besa tank machinegun.
A great photo! Thanks.