MG08/15

Lost Skeleton

Lost Skeleton

Well-known member
It may not be the ultimate Waffen collectible, but I'm darn happy with this complete and fully functional 1917 Gwf. Erfurt MG08/15, which I recently acquired:

MG5.jpg


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MG2.jpg


Anybody have an assault sling they're willing to part with?

Chas
 
Beautiful piece Chas. THE classic Imperial German weapon. In my world, helmets and headgear are just accessories for beauties such as this. Do you plan on shooting it?
Steve
 
I do indeed, Steve. Ohio Ordnance Works, from whom I purchased the Erfurt, have an approved range, and have invited me. It took roughly seven months for the transfer paperwork to be approved by the ATF, but it was worth the wait.

Thanks!
 
Thanks, everybody!

I found the following on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3XTPWnV2rw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

… and this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Zx4X5C_WH8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
:love10: :love10: :love10: :love10:

B E A U T I F U L; congrats Chas :bravo:
 
It may not be the ultimate Waffen collectible, but I would say that it is pretty close to the top of the list. This looks like an exceptional example as well!
Best
Gus
 
Again, many thanks, my friends. The machine gun was sold with a spare barrel and lock. Not all the numbers match, but I imagine these weapons often received critical field replacement parts to keep them functioning.

I scanned the following page from a Martin B. Retting catalogue published in 1953. As you can see, the MG08/15 was once "bargain" priced. However, "In accordance with Federal Laws…" these would have been "altered as to render the guns incapable of being fired." Oh well, read it and weep. From the same catalogue, one could purchase a "Nazi paratrooper helmet" for $12.50 or an Ersatz "sheet metal" Pickelhaube for $7.50.

Those were the days.

Retting.jpg
 
Such stories get me depressed Charles!! :cry:

I see a T-Gewehr was more expensive than an MG08/15 back in the 50s... Is it the case today?
 
They are roughly equivalent in value, with the 08/15 being a bit higher. Many factors, condition, completeness, matching numbers enter into the equation. I paid about 10% more for my 08/15 than I did for my Tankgewehr.
Steve
 
The T-Gewehr currently listed on GunBroker supports Steve's appraisal. Not counting sales and transfer taxes, which I was required to pay, the 08/15 was exactly 6.25% more.
 
Just bought an 08/15. Has a capture inscription on the water jacket I will post soon. Well, I say I bought it, it will be months for the transfer. The first Class III I've been involved with.

Appears to be all there and about 90% matching - a couple of small bits are not.

I will need a water can and hose for it if anyone has a line on them....
 
Chas--
That is truly a beauty! Congrats on the purchase and I imagine it was worth the wait!

Good luck with it.

PS
 
The inscription reads:

Captured by Co."G" (or C?) 314th Inf- 79th Div Sept. 26, 1918 at Malancourt

Now the research begins....



 
Here's a little info on where the 79th was on 26 Sept, 1918. I need to drill down to the 314th Inf.

http://history.amedd.army.mil/booksdocs/wwi/fieldoperations/chapter22.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
Hmmm. A citation for the DSC on Sept. 26 for, among other things, capturing light machine guns

http://projects.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=14590" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
 
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