Maxim MG08 Heavy Machine Gun and Sled Mount : Private G Cartwright, 33 Battalion, AIF

German Maxim MG08 Heavy Machine Gun and Sledge Mount. The top cover has MG08 but does not have the manufacturer name or the date. The serial number is on the receiver left side. It has CAPTURED BY 33RD BN AIF and BOUCHAVESNES 31-8-1918 and Exb F6529 in yellowing white paint on the jacket armour. It has also C6460 in white paint. The barrel jacket rear port plug and the right hand wood grip are missing. It is fitted with an optical bracket and an armoured jacket top shield. The fusee spring cover is numbered 2184 and the feed mechanism 7774. Overall the gun has traces of field grey and some light brown paint. The sledge mount is painted overall in field grey paint and is complete with all parts. It has adjustable front legs and side plates that take the gun trunion bracket for the elevation and traverse. The left side plate is stamped F.J.R.7.1.1.9 over M.G.1 and in white paint is G9568.

This gun was captured on 31 August 1918 at Bouchavesnes, France by Private George Cartwright, 33rd Infantry Battalion, AIF. The citation for the action reads: "When two companies were held up by withering machine-gun fire, Cartwright rushed forward and threw a bomb at the post, then captured the gun and nine prisoners. Cartwright's gallantry had the most inspiring effect upon the rest of the battalion who stood up and cheered and renewed the attack with vigour".

• Maxim Sledge Mount : Private G Cartwright, 33 Battalion, AIF