A variant on the Maxim machine gun, the 1908/15 was a go-to standard for the German Army during World War One, deployed to great effect across countless miles of trenchwork, turning avenues of approach into deadly obstacles. Like most of the powers participating in the war, the Germans needed to come to terms with the rise of heavier than air flight, figuring out how to put the new technology to best (read: deadliest) use. The machine gun emerged as the best weapon for air-to-air action the technology of the era allowed, with both sides putting their rapid fire guns in the air. Light machine guns like the Lewis could go airborne with little modification (and in the first known case, none, as it was just carried by an observer who fired it from the shoulder), but heavy machine guns like the Maxim needed more work. Firing mechanisms were modified, mounting brackets were attached, ejection chutes added to direct hot spent casings away from the craft and gunner, and most critically the water jacket was cut open to reduce weight and expose the barrel to fast-moving air for cooling. This example appears fitted for a flexible mount, with a simplified blade front and folding single leaf sight arrangement, the standard muzzle device on the end of the heavily perforated jacket, modified charging handle and a pair of mounting brackets. The top cover bears the standard Spandau Arsenal markings and 1918 manufacture date, plus the following inscription: "TROPHEE PRIS a L'ENNEMI/a la BUTTE-DE-MESNIL/LE 25 SEP 1918/par REGt d'INFie COLl du MAROC/OFFERT a ses PARRAINS/I.C. JOHNSON & Co NEW-YORK". Translated, this inscription indicates a field trophy taken by the Colonial Infantry Regiment of Morocco in September 1918, and given as a gift to a sponsoring company. Organized on the lines of the French Marines, the RICM was heavily engaged in World War One, earning ten citations, the Legion of Honor, and other decorations, while suffering about 15,000 losses in the field; still active today as the Marine Infantry Tank Regiment, the RICM stands as the most decorated unit in the French Army. The Butte-du-Mesnil, in the vicinity of Reims, was near a German salient against the Entente Powers advance, and the regiment likely was able to take this gun from a German airplane downed in the region, though the inscription does not share the precise details.

Good, with 60% of the blued finish, showing areas of rust, brown patina, scattered spotting and mild handling marks. Parts numbers are mixed. The mechanism is currently jammed, with some parts absent and, per the consignor's notes, the breech of the barrel welded closed; though not currently functional, it is not registered as a "deactivated war trophy". NOTE: This weapon is 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.