MG1918

German MG are in the Imperial section but I will add the British imagery here from now on. Thank you 'NO ONE' for paying attention :>)

There are so many Imperial German beautifully made military optical items, and no doubt there is a stand alone thread on sniper scopes. I would like to start off a thread on items that are mostly MG related, but of course in the beginning were used by field artillery. This includes periscopes and trench optics. To start off with the most obvious - the range of ZF12 sights specifically for the MG08.

Great view of the ersatz bipod. Looking to find one if anybody knows the location!!

Bernd W thanks for the message. My primary interest is the actual items/equipments. So in my case the amazing world of environments and unit details etc are not that known to me. Other collectors send me most of these images, even sometimes just the MG, Sorry not much help in your area of interest. Mark

Forgive the absence due to work. Back now and hopefully re-energising the MG threads. Inside the MG08 thread I try and display 'captured MGs' imagery too. Some may be repeated due to album web issues but please bear with me. Two images of British MGC showing off one 08 and then the French too. For those who like the MGC we can see the P14 pistol rig which is not often seen on the gunners themselves. Mark

Contained in the MG08/15 thread is the WWI German MG postcard imagery. Either the postcards are patriotic or other types, they may sometimes show MG08. However the MG08 thread is a stand alone offering in addition to the MG08/15. This is a postcard showing a captured 08/15 with a great view of the tubular bipod. (As used with the T Gewehr). If you have a bipod for sale let me know!!! Somehow the sling has been reveresed and naturally original slings are very difficult to find too.

Clear view of the ersatz tripod and a mix of ages of the gun team. Gun team commander has the not often seen eyepiece cover shown on his bino's.

Good image of the modified trigger assembly for the inter-war MG08. More inter-war training images. Could be an EM14 or EM34 - range finder or entfernungsmesser. Please look at wanted OPTICS when you have time but post WWI German manuals show detailed use of a variety of optical equipments to assist the machine gunner.

Some images of a standard MG08/15: Note the BFA - blank firing attachment.

As we all know unit armourers in any army will adapt or provide variations of patterns to 'do the job'. This is a very basic but effective frame but would need significant weight, sandbags/soil etc to keep the actual firing platform stable. Maybe not well liked as this pattern of trench mount is seldom seen. Note the unit repair to the first pattern of the 250 rd ammo box.