This is an example a WWI German model 1908/15 Maxim heavy machine gun as manufactured by Spandau Arsenal as intended to be a ground mounted version normally used by all Imperial/German forces throughout WWI for trench warfare. This is probably one of the most influential weapons of the 20th century that certainly belongs in an advanced WWI era Military or German arms collection. These heavy MG were actually the first self-sustaining heavy MGs and were able to lay down a sustained automatic fire without any external means other than by just the firing of the weapon itself. The complete functioning cycle of this weapon was accomplished simply by the energy generated from the force of firing a round. This machine gun design was developed by Hiram Maxim in the 1883-1884 time frame with the final design being finished in 1885. It was demonstrated throughout Europe with the British army being the first to make any notable purchases and the first country to actually use it in battle. It was later adopted by Russia in 1905 and stayed in use up through WWII, with Germany adopting it in 1899, where it gained the most notoriety during the trench warfare battles in WWI, where its' true effectiveness and devastation earned it the nickname the "Devils Paintbrush", based on the fact that this weapon could and did literally mow down hundreds of men while charging opposing forces. Germany used these until the early 1930s until the development of the MG34. Originally produced at the Spandau Arsenal, it was later also produced by the DWM factory due to the demands of WWI. These weapons have large distinctive steel water jacket around the barrel which held seven quarts of water to cool the barrel which allowed it to have long sustained bursts of fire. These Maxims were capable of firing 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 all boil off and the jacket had to be refilled. This was quite an astonishing feat in 1915, in comparison to the air-cooled MGs employed today, where the soldier is taught to fire no more than 5-10 rounds per burst. This specific MG was produced by the Spandau Arsenal in 1917 and the top cover is marked "4893b/M.G.08/15/Gwf./Spandau/1917". It has the original flip-up tangent style rear sight, graduated from 400-2,000 meters with a simple inverted "v" front sight and still retains its original large WWI Maxim steel water jacket. This weapon has matching numbers on the various parts that we can see, however it is missing the bolt inside the receiver, (which is what was usually thrown away when the weapon was about to be captured to prevent its use by the enemy), the lower pistol grip and trigger assembly, recoil boost/deflector plate mechanism (located on the front end of the barrel/water jacket), and the folding bipod, however it does come with a separate original barrel and barrel extension.

Good as incomplete, with all the metal surfaces showing a dark brown patina finish, certainly giving it the look of a weapon that was probably actually used in WWI, which later became a battlefield pick-up weapon, which probably made its' way back to the US as a war trophy. The markings are visible and readable and as noted it does have matching numbers the various parts that we can see, (except for the separate barrel/barrel extension). Certainly this is one of those weapons that would be worth finding the missing parts and restoring it to a complete weapon for an advanced WWII type of display. NOTE: This item is currently registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, as a 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.