30 replies to this topic

[MG1918]

I am not quite in the same league as Bob and others but I hope to add value to this web site. I do study all aspects of German WWI usage and of course collect too. To kick off a thread on MG training here are my 3 wooden 08/15s.  They have some stamps/markings from the WWI German MG school. They function in that they simulate stoppage and loading drills and are I guess reasonably rare. The Imperial War Museum in London and the Brussels Military Museum have other examples. I am not aware of any others.

 

Attached Files

•  0815 (23).JPG   313.78K   22 downloads
•  0815 (22).JPG   290.58K   22 downloads

[MG1918]

More images of the wooden training 08/15.

Attached Files

•  0815 (25).JPG   323.64K   8 downloads
•  0815 (26).JPG   176.38K   8 downloads

[timkel]

They are a nice find. Condition is excellent. Where did you find them?

[MG1918]

Timkel thanks for the reply.  Many many years ago some museums (and dependant upon the personalities involved) had the mission of building upon and improving their collections. I am sure there are still some museums who choose to maintain what they have and not evolve and that is fine, but for me under certain conditions museums should develop. I was lucky then in those days to have some very desirable vickers, Lewis and hotchkiss accessories and therefore in controlled conditions I obtained these 3 as trades.  The museum still has examples like this and 08 so therefore it was a win win for them, which realistically is the only way any decent museum would operate! 
Nowadays it is so much harder to do this due to Govt legislation following abuses so as ever a minority spoil it for the majority. I know for a fact many private collectors could add significant value to recognised collections/museums and concurrently enhance their own collections  but really whichever country you are in it is next to impossible. So a long reply, and now to find some period imagery of these items in action!

[timkel]

That was a great trade. They will make nice display pieces. It's all about keeping history alive.

[MG1918]

Wooden MGs:

 wooden.jpg   158.99K   9 downloads  wooden11.jpg   155.21K   9 downloads

[MG1918]

Rare MG08 ‘action’ cover. From the person I bought it from says this has a dual purpose. It is part of the covering when on the horse driven MG cart, but also used when in position requiring some weather protection.  With a belt in it is still immediately usable in an emergency. 
 

Attached Files

•  91210F49-96A9-4A7D-B469-DA92E1A09559.jpeg   220.65K   1 downloads
•  8C2EAF72-8660-4217-AC10-4D87EF041547.jpeg   369.17K   1 downloads
•  5EDFA301-CC5D-46F0-B699-9887294FFAE5.jpeg   353.22K   1 downloads

[MG1918]

 DF (5).jpg   152.68K   6 downloads  DF (28).jpg   127.8K   4 downloads  DF (81).jpg   130.12K   4 downloads

[MG1918]

 0815 (4).jpg   89.82K   4 downloads  0815 (15).jpg   216.45K   4 downloads  0815 (21).jpg   85.82K   5 downloadsMore interesting period imagery:

 

[MG1918]

 DF (84).jpg   119.31K   3 downloads  DF (87).jpg   217.89K   3 downloads

[MG1918]

MG08/15 crews in action

Attached Files

•  0815 (22).jpg   331.42K   4 downloads
•  0815 (23).jpg   252.6K   5 downloads
•  0815 (24).jpg   106.66K   4 downloads

[MG1918]

More images of the 08/15 teams  0815 (26).jpg   450.88K   7 downloads  0815 (27).jpg   149.46K   8 downloads  0815 (30).jpg   228.86K   9 downloads

[MG1918]

 dwmimages (13).jpg   388.75K   7 downloads

Edited by MG1918, 11 November 2020 - 12:02 AM.

[MG1918]

 dwmimages (16).jpg   366.17K   5 downloads

[MG1918]

 dwmimages (105).jpg   169.86K   13 downloadsMore captured:

[MG1918]

Note battle damage to the main gun.

 DSC_0018.JPG   265.24K   8 downloads  DSC_0019.JPG   337.51K   9 downloads  DSC_0232.JPG   406.32K   9 downloads

[MG1918]

Germans with a sense of humour?

 

Attached Files

•  DF (105).jpg   127.52K   12 downloads

[MG1918]

[MG1918]

One of my favourite images:

[MG1918]

Do any other members have MG08 and 08/15?   There are some amazing items in the US.

Mark