MG1918

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

Mark,

Here is one type. Papercloth strapping, metal "rings". I have seen similar papercloth straps with leather reinforced rope rings.

Chip

 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

Go with plain.

If you go with plain it looks well restored... and you know it looks just like it once did.

If you try homemade cammo patters it will be (and will always remain) your "fantasy" piece as you will never have it as the gun looked all those years ago.

I did my 08 and sledge lomax field grey and have never regretted it.

Cammo would maybe be "cool"... but would always in the back of your head look faked.

best

Chris

I need to restore a schlitten. It is in perfect condition other than being completely painted in an odd whitish/grey paint - not original. Normally it would be good to keep as is but this 'colour' must go. Does anyone have any modern paint codes/examples that match as best as possible the original colours. I have not decided whether to go plain or mimikri!

VMT

Mark

Durendal thanks for the reply and recomendations.

I am interested and collect WWI machine guns and accessories so it is interesting to see such locations.

Are you near Mons - I am at SHAPE.

Ravensheide at the cost from belgium near Koksijde.

trench and fortification system from WWI and WWII Rommel also was there.

nice museum the hole place.

greetings,

Durendal

ps.go also to Eben-Emael near Liege

Chris/Brian after WWI the Canadians had by far the largest amount of 'war booty' amongst all the Allies returned to Canada. To ensure legal movement even if it were a personal 'trophy' the Canadians insisted that the feedblocks were removed/discarded. Therefore often in the Candian Legions there are superb examples of 08/15 but missing the feedblock. At the time that was the deactivation requirement!! I guess this MG08 may be a battlefield pick up and is as is, or indeed all the missing parts are in safe custody below. Like most mueums though I would imagine there is no intention to make 'complete' just portray as is. Nonetheless some great photos.

Mark

ior the one is a examand

Hi Chris,

I'm not sure about this particular item but they have had a lot of problems with "lost" parts. While I was visitng I discovered that the Chairman and I used to belong to the same collector's club back in the 1960s. We got talking about the displays and he showed me into the vault room where the weapons that are not for display are kept. It was like being in heaven and probably as close as I'll ever get. No photography was allowed of course. He informed me that a lot of parts have been removed to prevent theft. Amost all of the weapons have been donated so this one may have arrived in this condition. I would like to become a member of the museum and if I do so I'll look into it. When I saw it I thought to myself that I was no where as nice as the one you have.

Cheers

Brian

Chris thanks. Yes you are right there are 2 patterns. My requests for info from a museum have shown the first pattern all leather, brass buckle and second pattern (economy) brought into service in 1918 and continued until MG08/15 no longer in service. So both are WWI 'period' but probably more likely to find a 1920's or 1930's example.....but still WWI! Let me know if you find 2

There are some repros though floating around the USA if this is what you want.

Mark

i think there are leather and Cloth (A bit like the cloth straps for gasmask tins.

Then there are Between the wars and those made in other countries for use of 08/15s used by them after the war.

I have been looking for one for ages as well.... no luck :-(

All the best

Chris

I am seeking to complete the accessories and a key item is the MG08/15 sling. I am informed there are 2 types. Does anyone know of dealers/source of these slings and indeed how to identify them?

Huge thanks.

Mark

Tony huge thanks. This sounds perfect. I am particularly keen on MG related trench systems and/or bunkers/emplacements etc so I must start somewhere.

Mark

Mark,

Vimy is just across the border, an 11 year old might find the tunnels interesting and if you travel from say Ypres via Bayernwald in or near Kemmel (I think) then towards Plugstreet and onwards to France, you may see some large bunkers and memorials on the way. My son loved running through the trenches at Bayernwald.

I think the underground German hospital at Frenzenburg has closed, if not, that's worth a stop off. It's at the brickworks.

Tony