| Accession Number | REL25606 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Firearm |
| Place made | Germany |
| Date made | 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Maxim MG08 Heavy Machine Gun
Description
Maxim MG08 heavy machine gun. The receiver top cover is stamped with the serial number, MG08 Gwf SPANDAU 1917. The barrel water jacket is painted grey. The gun is complete with an armoured front barrel shield, feed block and fuzzee spring cover.
History / Summary
The MG08 was the standard German heavy machine gun of the First World War. Officially adopted by the German Army in 1901 after extensive field trials which began in 1897 with a demonstration by the inventor Hiram Maxim. The weapon was made in great numbers and operated essentially on the same principal as the British Vickers machine gun.