MG1918

Interesting sled - did you buy it? A few images for interest,

A few standard postcards:

Not with me but when it does you will have 2 lovely examples!! Very nice. My examples are pretty rough but they are not rare over here and are still fetching Euros 400 to 500 each. I intend to upgrade but it is not a priority at the moment as I am looking for T gewehr ammo. Mark

Odulf great images......and they are all properly dressed!

Great image but a bit of a surprise how scruffy the section leader is! Cap pushed back, hands in pocket, fag in hand, tunic undone - cricket he could almost be an American! :>) Mark

Interesting diagrams 1916. I am still looking for good trench fixed gun posn images.

Does anybody know a Mr Kevin Roberts pse who I think concentrates on WWI Canadian Regiments? Thanks Mark

Not only have I eaten my heart out I have chewed off one of my legs......

I have none!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a bit confused.....I thought this thread title said Grips of Death, not 'let's have Chris and Eric tease the hell out of Mark'

Eric may know the US source that used to make very good reproductions of the sled pads, I do not sadly. There is a big demand for such a thing though but the US poc stopped years ago I believe. Someone somewhere must have the correct manufacturing designs though? mark

So far discounting the early schlitten with the drum like wheel on the sides I believe there is still the 3 WWI variations. All different for manufacturing economy reasons. However initially I relied on the dates to determine the progression and classed them as Mk I to Mk III, but then owners have shown a Mk I with late WWI dates and Mk III with a 1917 date! So maybe it is a combination of economy AND manufacturer. It would be really useful to have some register of known sleds reflecting the year and factory maker. Anyway it is all about the sled deck and the omission of the oil/jelly box then the small spare parts box. The so called Mk III sled therefore would have just the spare barrel fittings and tools. I can do images if you wish. Mark

There is a lovely saying in the UK.... 'you have to kiss a lot of frogs to find a prince.....' Plus 'don't knock it until you try it....' Need I say more??!!! :>)

Thanks Chris....I think I understand! With an MG08 thread and an MG08/15 thread in the Firearms and Ordnance section is there any benefit in bringing just the MG08 element into the excellent grips of death? I assume no one will start a 'butt stock of death' here so the MG08/15 element is safe. I am not a moderator nor a web expert but would be keen on having one subject in one place. Hope that makes sense and is no reflection on all efforts so far? Mark

More to follow. Did the moderators decide on whether 'all aspects German 1WK MG' should all be captured in this one thread? I know I have started individual threads on MG but I am happy if you are. Mark

Gary superb quality collection. Whatever is thought of the German military they had stunning uniforms. pse contact me when you can ref per WWII munitions. VMT Mark

A few more images. Interesting trigger assembly and some close ups of the top cover 'holding open' device. Mark