This is a very nice example of an original WWI German Maxim heavy machine gun manufactured in 1918. This is probably one of the most influential weapon designs 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 design was actually developed by Hiram Maxim, in the 1883-1884 time frame with the final design finalized 1885, that 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 and to the British Army, who were the first to make any notable purchases of this weapon, as well as the first country to actually use this weapon in battle in Chitral India, 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 late "1918" production model with serial number "46609". It has all matching visible serial numbers however it is missing the complete bolt assembly, the complete barrel and booster assembly on the front end of the water jacket. It does have matching serial numbers on the complete top cover, rear sight assembly, the back plate/butterfly trigger mechanism and spade grip assembly, the belt holding and feed pawl assembly, the side plate, the water jacket, and various small screws on the water jacket. The top cover is marked: "46609/M.G.0.8./D.W.M./BERLIN/1918". The tangent style rear sight is graduated from 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 still fitted with an original and matching (6609) base for the late war Optical Sight (not included with this weapon). The water jacket held seven (7) quarts of water that would allow the machine gunner to fire long bursts of intermittent, sustained fire. After approximately 500 rounds of fire the water would started to boil and would completely boil off/evaporate after 2,000 rounds of sustained fire. During WWI this weapon would wreak 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 does not have any mount, tripod, T&E or other accessories.

Fine with 90% of the original late war dark blue/black finish overall. The water jacket retains 60% of the green painted outside finish showing chipping and scratches overall. As noted this rare Maxim 1908 machine gun has most of all the original parts just missing many of the internal components to be complete and functional. NOTE: This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA), Fully Automatic Weapon that is currently registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (BATF&E) that 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 to understand and comply with all the State and Federal transfer laws and restrictions that apply in their current place of residence.