A while back I posted the following image, and solicited suggestions as to possible 'fixes' for the MG part of the stand.
After viewing some of the helpful suggestions I had a go at changing it to this.
A bit better, although the changes to the gun don't really show up that well in the photo. I darkened it a bit with some black washes. Then painted the water cooler and 'triangular bit on the middle' in sort of a bronzish-brassish to match one of the photos.