Machine gun MG 08 made by J P Sauer & Sohn, Suhl, Thüringen, Germany
Object No. H10297
Developed by Hiram Maxim, an American inventor whose other innovations include the hair-curling iron and an electric pressure regulator, the Maxim gun was the first fully automatic machine gun. Germany was one of the first buyers of the design in 1892; and this example is based on the 1908 version. Germany was well armed with Maxim guns at the outbreak of war; the British, underestimating the gun's usage, were not as well armed, and had to go into rapid mass production of the Vickers version of the Maxim. The Maxim machine gun went through several innovations in the four years of World War I, and this 1918 design was used through the Second World War. Damian McDonald Curator May 2015
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Summary
Object Statement
Machine gun, MG 08, Maschinengewehr 08, automatic, centrefire, calibre 7.92 cm, steel / wood, made by J P Sauer & Sohn, Suhl, Thüringen, Germany, 1918
Physical Description
Machine gun, automatic, calibre 7.92 cm. The gun has a single-barrel with a one stage round and water cooling jacket. It is rifled with four grooves and a right hand twist. There are sights rear and fore. The rear sights are adjustable leaf design. The shoulder stock is wooden, patterned at the butt for grip.
DIMENSIONS
Height
180 mm
Width
85 mm
PRODUCTION
Notes
The German Maxim machine gun is a recoil operated, water cooled, full automatic, belt fed weapon based on American Hiram Maxim's machine gun design. The cocking handle is located on the rear of the toggle lock and serves as both an unlocking member and a breech block accelerator. The feed system use non disintegrating belts made from cloth or tarpaulin with metallic alignment struts. Ammunition feed is from the right side. The gun is usually attached to a bipod. This example was manufactured by J. P Sauer and Sons in 1918. J. P. Sauer und Sohn (Sauer & Sohn) is a German manufacturer of firearms. Founded in 1751 in Suhl, Thuringia, Sauer & Sohn is the oldest firearms manufacturer still active in Germany.
HISTORY
Notes
German designed and manufactured Maxim machine guns were used from the beginning of World War I in 1914, and went through several design modifications through the war. This example is the 1918 design.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Source unknown
Acquisition Date
23 July 1984
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