MG1918

Forgot to say that despite its odd shape in single round mode the INF version was allegedly as accurate as a rifle in that period. The infantry version shown in the photo that is. The portative version with small folding tripod fixed in the middle was unstable and best used for MG purposes. For the collectors the best place to find an INF wooden butt hotchkiss is Australia as when the BEF declared the hotchiss obsolete due to the widespread issue of lewis and vickers, most British hotchkiss were dispateched to the Australian Light Horse units. Presumably at the end of WWI those units took them back home. I do not know for sure. Mark

Great image of the .303 hotchkiss (infantry version). There is a second version, still .303 that is ''portative'' with an L butt. Used by armoured tropopps if having to pop out of a burning tank. The wooden stock version is rather rare so hold onto one if you are lucky enough to possess. Mark

US troops (officers) stealing a MG08!

Hope the moderators allow another new thread unless it belongs elsewhere. This one is on weapons discovered after 'digs'. Hopefully members can show their prized items that have either been renovated or are 'as is'. Some people hate the fact that work is done to the item but personally I have no issues with preservation, repair and enhancing cosmetically. Keen to hear all opinions!! Mark

Every Allied nation towards the end of WWI and after, took back to their respective nations thousands of captured weapons, particularly MGs which made fine trophies. It seems that Canada, Australia and New Zealand took a healthy number back, as did the USA. Strangely UK 'war booty' was not that prolific. I am keen to find out how records were taken in that period as I have a marked MG08/15 but of course little history on who/when it was brought back to the UK. In UK museums there are often unit marked, dated/capture details but often there are just serial numbers - any help out there please? VMT. Mark

Standard 250 rd ammo belt (DWM) for the MG08

Company image?

nice view of the Bergmann 15!

ok no images yet as the uploader says too big. I will try and use the photo managers available but this will take some time. Thanks for your patience. Mark

Still on MG08/15. Does anyone have the definitive use/evidence of wooden machine guns? Clearly training aids and/or 'dummy' trench situated guns are uses but any other ideas. I have one original period wooden MG08/15 that is without doubt a trg wpn. It is too detailed for 'deception' purposes and those bits that move to practice drills move. It has very 'Germanic' markings but I would like to see some evidence of their use in German hands in WWI. Any assistance greatly appreciated. Here are some images:

Eddie thanks - time has now passed since my first enquiry and I know now that that the MG08/15 for armour had an extra trunion stem to fit into a U bracket. So this must have been a factory made addition as it was fitted directly onto the stem of the water jacket. By the way I have some Tank Corps items you might be interested in? Best wishes, Mark

Great AA image. Sorry - cannot to seem to be able to upload iamge from servimg???? My link

http://www.servimg.c...=175&u=15862032 From the users end...............

"]My link Now where is my time machine..................

Many leather MG08 & 08/15 accessories are also 'reproduced'. Although i seek the originals can anyone identify what to look for ref the differences? This is a spare parts case needed for the MG08 I think. Mark

Third 'economy' pattern

Different sled deck configuration

Terrific sled Chris and great date! I will keep an eye out for spare 'sled' parts as occasionally broken/spare parts do turn up. Your photos are superb. Mark

Latest success.

For partridge it is not so bad, I have a boy who adopts a suitable position in order to place the MG on his back. It is a ittle annoying and inconvenient at times though as he cannot get his hands/arms competely around to keep the dam thing slipping off. When he is successful I find he tends to suffocate a little with his face submerged in the dirt. Clearly more training required. Mark

Note first pattern schlitten. I understand there to be 3 patterns manufactured. Mark Happy New Year everybody.