This is a very fine example of an desirable WWI German Maxim heavy machine gun manufactured in 1917 by the DWM factory. This example comes with an original WWI sled/tripod that is numbered "8583", an original German Z.F. 12 (Zielfernrohr) Optical Sighting device manufactured by Emil Busch A-G of Rathnow, an original WWI German helmet with the original front glacis shield and the large hinged steel body armor used by machine gunners during WWI trench warfare and the rare small armor plate that fits on the front end of the water jacket to protect it from bullet strikes. The Maxim machine gun was probably one of the most influential weapon designs of the 20th century as it was the first true self-sustaining machine gun that could fire in a fully-automatic mode without external means. It was developed by Hiram Maxim in the 1883-1884 time frame and finalized in 1885. The British Army was the first country to recognize the importance of the machine gun and the first to officially adopted it and to use it in battle. Germany officially adopted the Maxim MG in 1899 and used it throughout WWI and well into the Weimar period. This was manufactured by the DWM factory and the top cover is marked: "18816/M.G.0.8./D.W.M./BERLIN/1917". It has some matching visible serial numbers to include the top cover, back plate/butterfly trigger mechanism, spade grip assembly and water jacket. The top of the lock mechanism is marked "AGA" with no serial number. 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 water jacket held seven (7) quarts of water which would allow the machine gunner to fire long bursts of intermittent fire and after approximately 500 rounds the water would started to boil and would completely boil off/evaporate after 2,000 rounds. During WWI this weapon would wreak havoc and devastation in the large open field battles in France and Belgium where it was nicknamed the "Devils Paintbrush" because of the thousands of soldiers it killed. This single weapon changed the tactics of land warfare forever!

Very fine with 85% plus of the original blue finish remaining overall, edge and high spot wear, thinning on the sides and top area, and remnants of the green camouflage paint on the front of the water jacket. The markings and proof marks are clear and sharp. The rare ZF-12 optical device is also in very fine condition with 90% of its original green exterior painted type finish, clear distinct optics, and the large inverted "V" pointer. The large sled mount retains 60% of its painted finish with the balance a medium brown patina showing wear and field use during the war. The WWI German front helmet plate and body armor all retain 70% of their green painted type finish. The helmet has a new reproduction liner inside. 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.