MG08/15

[MG1918]

 

[MG1918]

 

[MG1918]

The 08/15 thread also contains postcard imagery too.

 

[MG1918]

More period postcards showing the German WWI MG.

 

[MG1918]

Nice view of the 08/15 machine gunners spare parts case.

 

[MG1918]

 

[pickelhauben]

The gunner has the eyes and face of a killer.
I would speculate that he was good at his trade.

 

[MG1918]

As a break again from MG08/15 more postcards. Great propoganda imagery.

 

[MG1918]

 

[MG1918]

Wooden examples were used by all sides in WWI. The obvious use was for training and these 3 x 08/15s are able to 'cycle' and practice stoppage drills. However just like in wars since dummy weapons played a part too. The Imperial War Museum UK has an amazing wooden MG08 and I know for a fact there are not that many wooden 08/15s like these on the planet.

 

[JzPf]

Wooden examples were used by all sides in WWI. The obvious use was for training and these 3 x 08/15s are able to 'cycle' and practice stoppage drills. However just like in wars since dummy weapons played a part too. The Imperial War Museum UK has an amazing wooden MG08 and I know for a fact there are not that many wooden 08/15s like these on the planet.
View attachment 43034

Amazing how detailed these pieces are. I’ve seen photos of these being used in training against dummy tanks during the Reichwehr period.

 

[MG1918]

I know of only 8 surviving examples of the wooden 08/15 in national museums (these are 3) and as one can see spare parts were used by the armourers or unit carpenter. One German war diary spoke of how the standard frontline infantry hated having a MG in their particular positions as it of course attracted more attention,...snipers, mortar artillery etc.so dummies were placed in other parts of the line. These 3 were liberated from a German MG school in Belgium and have been kept safe in single hands for 100 years hence the condition.
,

 

[JzPf]

Troops training with wooden 08/15’s, with wooden ammo drums as well

 

[MG1918]

Looking back through the thread there is a huge amount missing, so not only the period photos but of the collections too. Please add anything ref MG08/15.

 

[158bushmaster]

Can anyone tell me a little more about this MG08? It was donated to our military museum and I can’t find a match to the marking on the cover plate. Thanks.

 

[Khukri]

Can anyone tell me a little more about this MG08? It was donated to our military museum and I can’t find a match to the marking on the cover plate. Thanks.

Gear wheel and bow-and-arrow marking... Chinese...?

 

[158bushmaster]

Gear wheel and bow-and-arrow marking... Chinese...?

I’ll research that, thanks. I’m trying to see if it’s worth restoring or just sell as a parts gun to raise money for the museum.

 

[158bushmaster]

I’ll research that, thanks. I’m trying to see if it’s worth restoring or just sell as a parts gun to raise money for the museum.

Yes, Chinese Type 24 manufactured between 1935-1937 at I believe was the Hanyang Arsenal because it’s missing the German markings. Reports say it was an even better version of the 08 Maxim. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to find parts for the gun but will do some research to see if 08 Maxim parts can be used to make it a display piece in the museum.

 

[Khukri]

Yes, Chinese Type 24 manufactured between 1935-1937 at I believe was the Hanyang Arsenal because it’s missing the German markings. Reports say it was an even better version of the 08 Maxim. Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to find parts for the gun but will do some research to see if 08 Maxim parts can be used to make it a display piece in the museum.