| Place | Europe: France, Picardie, Somme |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL/02520 |
| Collection type | Technology |
| Object type | Firearm |
| Physical description | Metal, Wood |
| Place made | Germany |
| Date made | 1917 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Maxim MG08/15 Light Machine Gun : 53 Battalion, AIF
Description
The MG 08/15 Maxim light machine gun is a short recoil operated, water cooled, full automatic, belt fed weapon. The operating system uses a two part toggle lock connected by a hinge which is located between the breech block and a barrel extension. The entire barrel extension and breech block recoil inside receiver against the tension of a spring located under the separate cover outside of the left receiver wall. The cocking handle is located on the rear axis of the toggle lock and serves as both an unlocking member and a breech block accelerator. The feed system use non disintegrating belts made from cloth or tarpaulin with metallic alignment struts. Ammunition feed is from the right side. A muzzle booster with a conical flash hider is attached to the front of the barrel. The weapon is usually mounted on a metal bipod. The top cover is engraved with the serial number over MG08/5 Gwf ERFURT 1917. It has a bipod, wooden butt and pistol grip but it is missing the feed block and the muzzle compensator. Painted on the water jacket is 'Captured by the 53rd Battalion A.I.F. Somme, 8-12 August 1918.
History / Summary
Related to the August offensive.