This is an example of a WWI German Model 1908/15 Maxim heavy machine gun manufactured by Spandau Arsenal in 1918. This model of heavy machine gun was used by all Imperial German forces throughout WWI as a ground mounted version in trench warfare. This machine gun design was originally developed by Hiram Maxim in 1883-1884 and was one of the most influential weapons of the 20th century that certainly belongs in an advanced WWI era military or German arms collection. These were actually the first self-sustaining heavy MG used in any sizeable numbers on the battlefield. They were able to lay down a sustained suppressive fire without any other external means other than by the energy generated from the force of firing a round. It was originally demonstrated in Europe; however, the British Army was the first to make any notable purchases and the first country to actually use it in battle. Germany adopted it in 1899, where it gained the most notoriety during the WWI trench warfare battles. It was later adopted in 1905 by Russia, where it remained in use through WWII. During WWI, it earned the nickname the "Devils Paintbrush" due to the fact that it could literally mow down hundreds of men while charging opposing forces. Germany used these until the development of the MG34. Originally produced at the Spandau Arsenal and later 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 1918, and the top cover is marked "4461 d/M.G.08/15/Gwf./Spandau/1918". It has the original flip-up tangent style rear sight graduated from 400-2,000 meters, a simple inverted "v" front sight and still retains its original large WWI Maxim steel water jacket. This weapon has matching numbers on the visible parts, except for the back plate; however, it is missing the complete trigger housing and complete bolt inside the receiver (these components were usually thrown away when it was about to be captured to prevent its use by the enemy). It is also missing the recoil boost/deflector plate mechanism (located on the front end of the barrel/water jacket) and the folding bipod. It also comes with a partial brown canvass sling.