At the Gotica Toscana Museum (MuGot) in Ponzalla, in the municipality of Scarperia e San Piero (FI), the new exhibition area dedicated to German World War II weaponry was inaugurated on April 21, 2025.
This new space represents the culmination of a research, recovery, and setup effort aimed at offering the public an authentic view of the military equipment used by German troops during the fighting along the Gothic Line.
A journey through history via the weapons of the German infantry
The new armory hosts a vast collection of light weapons used by the German infantry, including notable examples such as the Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles, MP40 submachine guns, and MG34 and MG42 machine guns. These weapons, renowned for their reliability and firepower, are displayed in a way that highlights their technical features and evolution throughout the conflict. Particular attention is given to the MG42 machine gun, famous for its high rate of fire and innovative belt-fed system.
Among the most fascinating elements of the exhibition is the system used to prepare the metal belts for feeding the MG34 and MG42 machine guns. These belts, made of steel and designed to hold 7.92×57mm Mauser cartridges, were essential for ensuring a continuous flow of ammunition during sustained fire. The belt-feed mechanism represented a significant technological advancement, allowing German machine guns to maintain fire superiority over their Allied counterparts. It is worth recalling that the MG42 was without doubt the primary weapon of the German infantry. Replacing the MG34, it became one of the main elements of German infantry superiority across all European theatres of war.
The Gurtfüller belt loader .
On the table inside the new German armory at MuGot, the MG42 belt loading system is prominently displayed. The belt preparation process was neither simple nor quick—it required care, dedicated tools, and technical skill from the personnel involved. The metal belts (Gurttrommel or Patronengurt), made of steel or treated fabric with metal components, were designed to hold 7.92×57mm Mauser cartridges, which were loaded one by one using a specific device called the Gurtfüller, or belt loader.
The Gurtfüller 34/42 was a compact mechanical device, manually operated by a crank, which allowed cartridges to be quickly and safely inserted into the belt. The operator had to place the empty belt on the guide rail of the device, insert the cartridges individually or in groups, and then turn the crank to slide them into the belt. Several versions existed: field models (made of wood or metal, used in the rear lines), or units integrated into transport cases. Once filled, the belt was rolled up and placed inside the trommel (belt drum) to be transported and used in combat. The metal drums protected the ammunition from moisture and dust, making them essential—especially in the harsh conditions of the Italian front.
The speed at which an MG42 could consume ammunition—up to 1,500 rounds per minute—made this task essential and ongoing. Behind every machine gunner was a logistical chain composed of gunners, belt loaders, carriers, and support personnel, all tasked with maintaining a constant and sustained rate of fire during combat. This ammunition preparation device reveals just how complex military organization was—made not only of weapons, but also of the men and tools operating behind the lines.
The recovery and enhancement of historical heritage by MUGOT
Many of the artifacts on display in the new armory were recovered directly from the areas surrounding Passo del Giogo, the scene of fierce fighting between Allied and Axis forces in 1944. In addition to the weaponry, the exhibition includes civilian items and everyday objects, bearing witness to the interaction between the local population and the occupying troops. This approach allows visitors to understand not only the military aspects, but also the social and cultural implications of the conflict.
The creation of the new armory is the result of the joint efforts of the volunteers of the Gotica Toscana APS association, which since 2006 has been committed to researching, preserving, and promoting the history of the Gothic Line in Tuscany. With this inauguration, the museum’s planned renovation cycle comes to a close, which included the update and expansion of exhibition areas to offer visitors an increasingly immersive and informative experience.
Book a visit!
MuGot invites all history enthusiasts, scholars, and curious visitors to explore the new German armory and discover the other sections of the museum, which include temporary exhibitions, guided tours of the battlefields, and cultural initiatives aimed at keeping alive the memory of the events that profoundly marked the Tuscan territory during the Second World War.
MuGot – Gothic Line Museum
Località Ponzalla 47, 50038 Scarperia e San Piero (FI)
info@goticatoscana.eu
www.goticatoscana.eu
Note: Images and technical details of the weaponry are available on the museum’s official website and during the guided tour of the exhibitions.
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