This is a very nice example of an original WWI German Maxim heavy machine gun manufactured in 1909. This is probably one of the most influential weapons of the 20th century that certainly belongs in an advanced Military or German arms collection. This weapon was the first true self-sustaining machine gun that fired in a fully-automatic mode without any external means other than by power of the round and mechanism itself. This series of machine guns were actually developed by Hiram Maxim, in the 1883-1884 timeframe with the final design being finished in 1885 and was originally produced by the Spandau Arsenal as well as a series of other German companies and countries. Maxim was a self taught engineer who demonstrated his design throughout Europe with the British Army being the first to make any notable purchases of this weapon and the first country to actually use this weapon in battle in Chitral India, the Sudan and again in the Boxer Rebellion in 1899. Germany officially adopted the weapon in 1899 and used it throughout WWI and well into the Weimar period. This is a very early production model with serial number "109" that as far as we can tell has all externally matching serial numbers on every part, the receiver, barrel jacket, top cover, bolt and internal feed pawl mechanisms, back plate and the butterfly trigger mechanism. The left brass side plate cover is marked "No.109/MAXIM'S PATENT/1898" surrounded by "DEUTSCHE WAFFEN-und MUNITIONS FABRIKEN-BERLIN", with a small brass plate on top marked "No 109,TENSION DEL RESORTE/PUNTA 10/25/ m/m/FOGUEO". The top cover has a small brass plate that is marked, "CARTUCHO/MAUSER AREGENTINO/1909". It is fitted with a very robust flip-up tangent style rear sight that is calibrated from 400-2,000 meters with a simple inverted "V" front sight that is fitted to the front of the water jacket. The left side of the receiver is fitted with an original base for a side mounted Carl Zeiss 2X Optical Sight (not included with this weapon). Interestingly enough, on the left side of the receiver is a round selection mechanism where the machine gunner could actually set the number of rounds the machine gun would shoot in a single bust. The settings range from single shot up to 70 rounds (in increments of 1 round) per burst. With the large distinctive brass water jacket around the barrel, which held seven quarts of water. These Maxims could fire approximately 500 rounds of sustained fire before the water started to boil and up to 2,000 rounds of sustained fire before the water would completely boil off. During WWI this weapon would reek havoc and devastation in the large open field battles in France and Germany where it would literally mow down hundreds of men charging the opposing forces and eventually was nicknamed the "Devils Paintbrush" because of the thousands of soldiers that it killed. This single weapon changed the tactics of land warfare forever. It is complete with original large ground mounted tripod, pintle with a T&E mechanism attached to the mount.

Very good as deactivated with the receiver showing 95% of the arsenal blue finish with the spade handles, left side plate cover, feed tray mechanism and barrel jacket all showing their original brass colored metal finish. These parts could easily be repainted/restored to match the receiver finish, making the gun look new. The tripod retains 90% of the green painted finish overall and the T&E mechanism shows it's original brass finish. This rare machine is missing the flashider, front deflector plate and barrel nut. This weapon still retains its barrel, however it has been welded in place in the receiver/trunion block. NOTE: This item is currently registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives as a unserviceable National Firearms Act (NFA) weapon, which has been classified as a Curios or Relic as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478. Before bidding on this item it is the sole responsibility and obligation of the bidder/Class 3 FFL holder to comply and understand with all the State and Federal transfer laws and restrictions that apply in their current place of residence.