MG1918

and one schnapps too many..............

Various 'carry' positions. Still a beast for 1 man!!

Although the bayonet purists would laugh at me - I am looking for 2 excellent examples of a standard issue bayonet, and frog that was used to a standard rifleman of 1916 and a machine gunner of the same period. Hopefully two differing variants. Does that help? Thanks Mark

By the beginning of WWII, MG08's and sometimes the sleds were restricted to Coastal Defences, fixed forts and concrete defences, occupied city 'ordnance' and last ditch home defence.

Also the trommel drum bracket was re-designed.

Changes to the MG08 - modified rear trigger assembly, feedblock alteration, anti aircraft stem fitted and sometimes additional flip sight to the top cover, water drain valve plug and sometimes a white stripe down the side of the body. Images from a manual.

Changes were made to the sled mount, the MG08 and some of the accessories. Even the water can for steam/refill was altered - good view of the screw on cap first photo.

Understandably a bit of a neglected area. German mastery of both WWI & WWII MG use is well known, but the adaptions to the WWI MGs are interesting. Even today weapon platforms are 'added to' to extend their use or as an interim measure.

Those who know what they are doing - could you post some images of standard Imperial Army bayonets and correct frogs. I am looking to locate and buy one but so many patterns of leather frogs look the same? Thanks. Mark

I hate the auction snipers - so ungentlemanly but it does work so maybe there is no choice...........and then we ALL become 'snipers'! Mark

by the way is there something wrong with the image uploading process? Mark

Forgive the absence. Nice view of a trench mount on the wooden block. Mark

Superb collection and although British head dress is not my theme no one can dispute this is top notch. Do you collect only pre WWI? mark

Expose the seller!

Please bear me in mind when wanting to sell surplus? Mark

Superb image. Every British school child should somehow be made to see it. I think Alfred the archer is a permanent fixture. Mark

i really want one :>) Mark

Don't you mean only one at your house? :>) Thanaks Mark

Still hoping to identify my assortment of oil cans etc. If they are not MG then they will be available for trade/sale. Of cse any good self respecting machine gunner might keep his 'favourite' oil/jelly can for MG use, whatever its origin, but I need to stick to issue MG material. Thanks Mark

Not included in this set, however as superb as Dolf's book is, there are some errors. This appears to be a very very small spanner and small items are the last thing any soldier in any period has in field equipment. As you say what function it serves is a good question. Mark

Do you have an image of the spanner you mention Eric? As to the small tool/armourers chest. I still believe it to be 100% German and for the MG08. You are right that most boxes seem to be marked for the MG08 or MG08/15, but this is a very early box. So for example in 1914 there was only one MG - so no need to mark otherwise! I have seen one image of a similar box that contained 2 locks, with the same marking on the lid. Anything Finnish I think would be much more 'modern'. Look fwd to the question on the MG08 tool roll. Do you mean the wrench? Mark