New to IMA's Maxim parts lineup are these two Barrel "Original" Carriers. I have spent some time looking at them and comparing them to TDPB pictures and I don't think these are German WWI production. What do you guys think? Turk copies? Original?
I believe the metal one, at least, is really German. I got a single barrel carrier from them, but I haven't torn it down to find the markings yet. I've thought about getting one of these double ones too. I'm not at all sure on the leather one. It may be a British or even a post war carrier.
Glen, check the lack of rivet heads on the covers. If you look real close... it does not match the one in TDPB. Please do find some markings as it would be a nice piece to add to the collection.
found a single cover, nice marked; Berlin 1916, for one MG 08 Barrel (08/15 does not match)
the Leatherstraps to close the lid looks nearly to the doublecover made from leather.
Top leather one certainly not British, and therefore popularly known as the Turkish version I guess. Green metal one without doubt German from what little I have seen of double barrel carriers. Then along comes Fritz's examples!!
No one has ever mentioned genuine single barrel carries before but here they are!
Once again a gap in the definitive accessory list of Imperial MG items..................when will it ever end
Mark
Seeking all items, large or small, to the Imperial MG08, MG08/15 & T Gewehr.
MarkFinneran wrote: Green metal one without doubt German from what little I have seen of double barrel carriers. Then along comes Fritz's examples!!
No one has ever mentioned genuine single barrel carries before but here they are!
I still say its not German. Its not marked and anything coming from IMA not marked is 95% chance is Turk not German.
attached, find pics from a double-Barrel Carrier, not perfect condtion, but German,
08 or 08/15 Barrels are matching.
Maker marked AWD, means : Artillery-Workshop Danzig
know Maker of mutch WW1 Equipment.
The Draggingstrap from leather!!
The IMA example if not marked Matt may not be German but has the paint been removed to check?
There are 2 types of metal 'double' carriers as far as I know - One with square'ish lids and the other with the rounded pattern. It would be interesting to see some images of the metal carriers to confirm. I would be suprised if the Turks copied the pattern identically if they went to the bother of making their own single leather versions. I do not know for
sure of course.
Mark
Seeking all items, large or small, to the Imperial MG08, MG08/15 & T Gewehr.
I have just looked at my double barrel carrier, which unlike Fritz's has no markings/stamps on the metal, yet the one retaining leather strap is clearly German and dated 1917 - so to add to the confusion - 100% Imperial but no makers/inspectors or factory stamps that I can see. Maybe the IMA green examples are ok?
Mark
Seeking all items, large or small, to the Imperial MG08, MG08/15 & T Gewehr.
mine from IMa are a nearly apple green color but not the ugly yugo coloration. Mine has original single layer of paint on it. came with a canvass strap. Mine looks like it held barrels in it for years but remained unissued. I found a mark crest on it when i got the thing but have looked twice more and cannot re find it. I know these and the loaders came out of turkey from ima. I know a lot of captured stuff was sent to turkey after the war. I know my loader and box was original german built and converted to use turk alum belts. I know the color of an old ammo box and the color of the loader box both made with the same hardware manufacturer are the same color of paint very dark grey/green. I do not know if the barrel carriers are original german but i suspect so as the workmanship is pretty good and the examples we have seen are consitant with wone another. As I have not painted my sled yet now im wondering if i should paint it the color of this barrel carier which is about the same green as my mg08/15 drum.....
oprod wrote:I found a mark crest on it when i got the thing but have looked twice more and cannot re find it.
PLease keep looking! A crest would be Turk made for sure. Turks still made good stuff but the lack of markings makes me thing these are turk made for sure. Anything coming out of IMA should be considered Not German unless proven otherwise IMHO.
I think most of that German equip was given/sold by the Germans. Remember Turks were on the Axis in WWI. We (Allies) were not giving them anything.
