This is an exceptional example of a WWI German Model 1908/15 Maxim heavy machine gun manufactured by Spandau Arsenal in 1918. Originally produced at the Spandau Arsenal and later by the DWM factory due to the demands of WWI, this model was used by all Imperial German forces throughout WWI as a ground mounted machine gun. This weapon 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, and it gained the most notoriety during the WWI trench warfare battles. It remained in use through the Weimar Era and even into the late 1930s, until the full adoption of the MG34 and 42 machine guns. It was adopted by Russia in 1905 and it remained in use throughout WWII. These weapons have large distinctive round steel water jacket around the barrel which held seven quarts of water to cool the barrel, allowing it to be able to sustain long bursts of fire. They 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 specific MG was produced by the Spandau Arsenal in 1918, and the top cover is marked "8329c/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 breech lock (lock frame) and hanger block. It comes with an original unnumbered bipod that is mounted on the underside of the front end of the receiver. It has a walnut pistol grip and buttstock.

Very fine with 95% plus of the original blued finish overall with clear sharp markings and numbers. The buttstock and pistol grip are both also in fine condition with only very minor handling marks, light dings on the sides. NOTE: This item is restricted as a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is 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.