MG1918 Posted February 14, 2015 Posted February 14, 2015 (edited) 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. Edited February 14, 2015 by MG1918
MG1918 Posted February 14, 2015 Author Posted February 14, 2015 (edited) 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. Edited February 15, 2015 by MG1918
MG1918 Posted February 14, 2015 Author Posted February 14, 2015 (edited) 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. Edited February 14, 2015 by MG1918
MG1918 Posted February 14, 2015 Author Posted February 14, 2015 (edited) Also the trommel drum bracket was re-designed. Edited February 15, 2015 by MG1918
MG1918 Posted February 14, 2015 Author Posted February 14, 2015 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.
MG1918 Posted February 15, 2015 Author Posted February 15, 2015 Various 'carry' positions. Still a beast for 1 man!!
MG1918 Posted February 15, 2015 Author Posted February 15, 2015 and one schnapps too many..............
MG1918 Posted February 15, 2015 Author Posted February 15, 2015 I think we would all agree the anti-aircraft configuration looks amazing - but I have seen no records yet of its stability or effectiveness. The gunner would have to rotate around the sled avoiding legs etc whereas in WWI the MG08 attached to a single post seems more useful.
MG1918 Posted February 15, 2015 Author Posted February 15, 2015 (edited) Rarely seen indirect fire sight fitted. Edited February 15, 2015 by MG1918
LarryT Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Nice photos guys. Here's a couple from my collection. Cheers, Larry
MG1918 Posted February 16, 2015 Author Posted February 16, 2015 Larry thanks - great photos. Like the one with the top cover up. Do you ever see any WWI or inter-war MG 'stuff' in Australia? Mark
Hoss Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Nice pictures why the white line on the receiver/water jacket,,,,for sighting optics? I wonder if it fluoresced. Eric
LarryT Posted February 16, 2015 Posted February 16, 2015 Larry thanks - great photos. Like the one with the top cover up. Do you ever see any WWI or inter-war MG 'stuff' in Australia? Mark Unfortunately I have not seen any inter-war MG's in Australia. Here is another photo showing a couple of MG's on a dune at Dunkirk. Cheers, Larry
Hoss Posted February 18, 2015 Posted February 18, 2015 Nice photo Larry I found a ref. for the white line it maybe for an AA sighting aid similar on Swiss guns which ran along the top, answered my own question lol! Cheers, wish I'd collected photos Larry. Eric
MG1918 Posted February 18, 2015 Author Posted February 18, 2015 MG08/15 alterations/additions: Water release valve, anti aircraft stem on the water jacket, feed block, sights, butt stock oil bottle and sometimes the bipod fitting to the front of the water jacket.
Hoss Posted February 22, 2015 Posted February 22, 2015 1930's feed blocks the lower one pictured (08) used to be in my collection (Goldsmith 'The Devils Paintbrush'), note the cloth/steel toggle switch. Generally the block slide pawl belt 'lift finger' was dropped in the TR period. The maxim 08 was of course not designed to run steel belts which would result in unreliability and breakages later. Eric
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