What kind(s) of personnel (personal?) weapons did Marder crews carry? The standard rifle? Schmeisser? How many? and where were they stored?

Glenn, the Marder III with the 7.62cm Russian Pak 36(r) apparently had only one stowed crew weapon, an MP40 machine pistol. It was stowed on the vehicle rear deck under the recoil guide for the main gun, in a bracket fastened to the floor. Here is a URL for a photo of the bracket below the gun: and this will show you the layout. Note there was a bracket to hang the standard vehicle mount for six spare magazines for the MP40, placed at the upper edge of the 3-round ammunition bin set along the right side armor. When you go to the URL listed, there are six pages of photos of the APG vehicle. It's a tragedy they allowed it to rot out as it is, but most of it is still there in the pictures, and it will be a gold mine for those whose AMS knows no bounds..... HTH, BC

I intended only to list the URL, and when I hit RESPOND, it popped the photo into the post. Sorry about that; I've probably violated all sorts of copyrights..... Well, copy this pic before Garfield has to take it off the site. Note the MP40 bracket on the floor, and the spare magazine bracket on the right side ammo bin.

I forgot to mention in the photo above, the two stowage brackets on the movable gun shield are for gas mask containers. I need to mention that the Marder III pictures are in the "Prime Portal" website - the URL I tried to list disappeared, replaced by the actual photo. The vehicles are in the "BATTLEFIELD" section, and the Marder III is in the right hand column. As I mentioned, there are six pages of photos, several dozen in all. Enjoy.....

Great site Bruce. I see two small brackets on the front of this pic. Anyone know how the Winter Tarp would wrap around the front? There's pics on panzernet showing the rear and side shots but no front The later H wraps around the gun barrel too, but I think this version must go around the gun somehow from the look of the pics. Anyone good at sketching or guessing? Thanks, Greg

same link thingy happened to me Bruce. Here's the side view on panzernet.
http://74.125.93.104/translate_c?hl=en&sl=cs&u=http://www.panzernet.net/panzernet/stranky/galerie/stihace/marder3/galeriemarderIII50.htm&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dpanzernet.net%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den-us&usg=ALkJrhjPsoVcksr_COP-HNG6WeBhOz8Bxw

Greg, I believe my MBI book on the Marder III and Grille shows a frontal view of the tarp in use. I am at work right now, but later if no one else has been able to help you, I will scan it and post.

Ken

the two open tie-down clips are for the front of the rain tarp. Look at those drivers' hatches - there is no way they'd keep out a sneeze much less real rain or snow. The tarps and covers would primarily have been used on road marches. In combat, I'd think the drivers' hatches would have been uncovered for a quick exit, and certainly most of the rear cover sections would have been tied up out of the way, perhaps leaving some down to serve as a windbreak. With all the covers in place, visibility had to have been horrible. Of course, in modeling, road marches up to the front are often the most interesting subjects, with extra stowage and hitch-hiking infantry on board the vehicles.

Sorry Greg...the only frontal shot was for the SdKfz 138 and not the 139. That won't help much.

Ken

Here's a glimpse of what it looks like. Thanks for all the help.