MG1918

MG08 SKELETON VERSION for DP (DRILL PURPOSE). Attached some images of a ''beautiful' instructional MG 08. Hope it is not too boring.............

For viewing but if different angles needed please ask. I love Chris's outdoor shots which is something I am unable to do just now. Mark My link

As with most collectable pieces repros are being made, and often passed off as originals. I am trying to identify the different patterns of inner shields and more importantly identify fakes. Any help greatly appreciated. Mark My link My link cannot insert images????????

Also trying to identify all the different types of outer and inner shields for the MG08 sled? Any images would be most appreciated. Thanks, Mark

A superb collection nonetheless. My experience with military museums throughout Europe incl UK has been the same. The strict rules with gifting and no doubt in the past loose accounting have ensured now that many curators have to be very rigid. In some ways that is good as I am sure we all agree this is the best method in order to preserve the past. The crime I think is when a curator has surplus, has an opportunity to enhance a national collection but does not have the will or knowledge to pursue an obvious advantage. I am sure we have all come across that!!! I have been lucky to meet some great curators who understand a museum and a collection should grow and improve, and one or two who consider it just a job and a pure 'maintenance' role. Anyway I am not ever going to change that mindset but I would like to think if our NAM were aware of your wonderful pieces thay would be more inclined to engage with you. Ether way happy hunting and you have every right to be proud. Mark

Could the German army have used cut away MGs for their own instruction purposes? As for the red paint, I have a sectioned Mills bomb from between the wars, although the red paint is old I can't say for sure when it was painted. Tony To prove the existance of skeletonised wpns in use by the Imperial Army would be fantastic, but I have just not seen any WWI evidence to confirm. Certainly British MG manuals start talking about DP guns in the late 1920s so maybe even our own military did not 'skeletonise' until after WWI? So although I am hoping that this is period WWI German I cannot confirm, especially as after WWI several nations absorbed/used the plentiful stocks of captured weaponry into their own service. Mark

Thanks Chip for the post. It is amazing that considering how many Imperial Army maschinengewehr truppen there were (exuse my poor Deutsch Chris) that these dragging straps are not more plentiful!! At the moment I think I can identify 4 different patterns from photos etc but still would like to see more images. As an aside well done Germany at the football. One day....one day................ Mark

More images of the items will be displayed in the Collectors Image Gallery but I will show the skeletonised DP pieces as individual threads if of interest. I understand these cut-away German MGs are quite rare and although these came from a museum my research leads me to think they were done after being captured, as Allied instructional tools!! I have cleaned them as best as possible to remove all old grime, rust, oil etc but I am still trying to detemine when for example the British started using 'red' paint to outline weaponry skeletons. On the other hand if anyone can confrm that in WWI the Imperial Army skeletonised pieces then even better!!!! Mark

Stuart superb collection and considering your location an even greater achievement. Have you set ''boundaries'' on period and nation/unit. I am sure the National Army Museum in UK would love to see this display as it must surely rival some of the pieces held there. Best regards, Mark

Chip thanks for taking the trouble to show image, much appreciated. Very interesting. Is it marked or dated in anyway? If you ever you wish to sell ............ Best wishes, Mark

MG08 accessories

Looking to identify and obtain the correct Mg accessories for a German MG08 gun team (and 08/15). Does anybody have an official German List of the items, like an ancilliary kitting/loading list. In the Brititsh WWI handbook the section items for a vickers are luckily shown. VMT Mark

There are many different types of these whch I am trying to locate. Does anyone know the various patterns please? They were used right up to late 1930's by German machine gunners. Thanks, Mark

Helen - can you give a summary on the history of the General please? Any machine guns in this amazing collection? Mark

Dan thanks for input. I (and no doubt many others) would love to see your images? The light grey (battleship grey) is interesting. Do you really think this was a colour that the kit was painted in then shipped out to the field? It is not the first sled that I have heard of in this colour so I am beginning to think it is an original paint scheme. Could you date the period of this colour do you think? as I am still endeavouring to get this ''olive'' field grey/lomax green colour. Email me on mark.finneran@hotmail.co.uk if you wish to send pictures privately. Best wishes to all for Christmas. Mark

Chris any update please on how to correctly identify lomax field grey? Many thanks. Mark

Could anyone help please identify the correct Imperial Army schlitten tools? I am looking for the correct set to fit the sled. VMT. Mark

Is it correct that not all original German flash shields will always have some form of Imperial markings? Does anybody have an original one that is not marked/ Thanks. Mark

Your collection is like all Norwegian women.....beautiful! Great display. out of interest what are the Norwegian deactivation rules? Best wishes, Mark

One of my sleds has 'as is' pads that obviously have deterioted. This was origianlly leather but now reveals horsehair etc. I am in 2 minds as to restore. Does anybody have any info on when the leather pad was effectively stopped as the material and the hessian or ersatz covering was then used instead pse? Thanks. Mark

Chris - great find. I am looking for a 100 rd ammo belt by the way!!! :>0 Are you collecting a data base of Imperial manufacturers? I have a few trommels with different markings and I am happy to photo them if you wish. Your language and knowledge skills will be able to tell me the factory and makers???? VMT Mark

A collection to be very proud of. I will now look through my own humble bits and pieces and anything South African deserves to be in its rightful home. I will email in due course. A superb display and mirrors the tremendous SA contribution in any conflict. Where would we British be without such 'friends'. Of course I was particularly interested in your MG items, SA, British and German and will see if I have anything of use there too. Great display and as other members say some national museum curators could learn a thing or two from your excellent efforts. If I only I were a lady....my efforts to marry you would be unbeatable!!! :>) Mark

Chris thanks. I think you are right. lomax field grey? What is this paint/ Does it have a European code id perhaps? Mark ps please let me see image of your 'results'? Mark