Description
6/5/24 - This is a great example of a scarce Spandau Maxim M.G.08/15 machine gun from 1918. It's an all matching example except for the lock as the doughboys often removed them. This includes parts such as the original barrel, which has an excellent bore, and the original stock. This goes down to all of the small parts - rear sight, front sight, top cover, latch, feed tray assembly, accelerator, cocking lever and more. The bluing on the gun does show some wear and patina throughout but has the honest, "been there" look. There are some patches of surface pitting as well, mainly on the left side of the receiver. This listing includes two original drum mags in wooden carry case, several belts (including an original 100rd belt), a manual, and the water hose. It also comes with a spare, period original barrel that has Imperial proofs on it and has an excellent bore. Also comes with a period bipod.
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"This machine gun was originally developed by Hiram Maxim in 1883-1884 and was one of the most influential weapons of the 20th century. This model became the standard German heavy machine gun in 1899 and was used by Imperial German forces throughout WWI as a ground mounted version in trench warfare. These were actually the first self-sustaining heavy MG used in any sizeable numbers on the battlefield. They were able to lay down a sustained suppressive fire without any other external means other than by the energy generated from the force of firing a round. It was adopted by the British in 1887 and Russian prior to WWI. During WWI, it earned the nickname the "Devils Paintbrush" due to the fact that it could literally mow down hundreds of men in a single engagement. The large distinctive steel water jacket, could hold seven quarts of water to cool the barrel which allowed it to have long sustained bursts of fire. It was capable of firing approximately 500 rounds of sustained fire before the water started to boil and up to 2,000 rounds of sustained fire before the water would all boil off and the jacket had to be refilled."
