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**GERMAN MAXIM 08/15 MANUFACTURED IN SPANDAU 1918. (C&R)

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:2,000.00 USD Estimated At:4,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
**GERMAN MAXIM 08/15 MANUFACTURED IN SPANDAU 1918. (C&R)
PLEASE NOTE (10/2/13): Additional information: This gun is accompanied by a proper "Fusee cover" and "spring assembly" which is not included in the catalog description. SN 4969. Cal. 8 mm. 32.75" bbl. This is a straight forward 08/15. Missing the fusee cover and fusee spring assembly. However the feedblock appears to be complete and matching and the drum hanger is present and matching in SN. Muzzle booster is also present, as is the water drain plug assembly and water filler cap. Both are readily removable. Top covers raises and lowers freely. Charging handle moves. Bbl and rails move freely inside receiver. It appears that feed shuttle functions. Trigger and trigger bar moves freely. It appears that if the missing parts were installed this weapon could be made to function. The 08/15 Maxim was a "lightened" model of the German MG08 Maxim. The 08/15 was used as a "portable" machine gun by the Germans in WWI in large numbers. Utilizing a standard cloth belt, in a drum, on a hanger mounted to the right of the receiver, it was carried into combat utilizing an over-the-shoulder "dragging" strap. As such it could provide "walking fire" to the assault troops. America's answer to this was the Browning Automatic Rifle, which came too late to Europe to be put into much, if any, combat use. PROVENANCE: Collection of Carl "Bill" Morrison. CONDITION: Overall condition and appearance is fair. About 60% of the orig gray primer remains on bbl shroud, the rest has flaked off, with a deep brown patina. Side plates and receiver exterior, as well as hanger and feed shuttle, with exception of where the fusee cover was, show evidence of deep pitting and corrosion, now browned and arrested. About 20% of inside of feed cover has similar deep pitting as does all of the exterior of top cover. Wooden buttstock shows numerous handling marks, some bruises and gouges, but is complete and sound with the exception of 1" chip at the toe on the left side. Hand grip is sound and complete, has 3 gouges on left side and has handling marks. The drain plug fitting has had one of the "ears" bent inwards but with careful heating it should be possible to restore it. The wooden thumbpiece on water filler cap is not present, as is common. It is difficult to read the markings on top cover due to the corrosion, however it is discernible. Bore, although dirty and needs a cleaning, has sharp rifling. Booster appears complete, although also has heavy scale consistent with rest of gun. Despite the heavy scale and missing parts, the addition of the missing parts and some TLC could restore this to a functional example of this classic WWI machine gun. 4-48647 JWK4