www.MG42.us

this one appears to be rather early

Andrew

Knowing that DWM usually did not use the "a" in its serial numbers, my guess is that its a Spandau made gun.

That would put 733a or 10733 as a 1916 gun. So not really that early.

It also just so happens that if it was a DWM gun it would also fall in the 1916 range.

http://maximmachinegun.com/

My guess is that you forgot about the "a" in the serial number?

No I hadn't forgotten about the "a" I just didn't realize that prefixed numbers started with the second 10.000 guns rather than from the first gun produced. I have not had any dealings with Spandau guns so have not studied the numbering system in depth. Thanks for your input Matt, much appreciated.This is one of a three that recently surfaced.

mg34nz wrote:No I hadn't forgotten about the "a" I just didn't realize that prefixed numbers started with the second 10.000 guns rather than from the first gun produced. I have not had any dealings with Spandau guns so have not studied the numbering system in depth. Thanks for your input Matt, much appreciated.This is one of a three that recently surfaced.

Yeah the letters added to the serial numbers represent the show serial number +:
a=10,000
b=20,000
c=30,000
d=40,000
e=50,000

No MG made it past this however the Luger's do the same and they keep going farther.

Sometimes DWM used the letter system too but not as often. Spandau and the other 08/15 manufactures seemed to all have used it. Very good gun! Lets see the other two!

There also looks to be unit markings under the "MG08" on the top cover?

100RMC or maybe RMG, as you can see it is a little corroded

Cheers
Andrew

Yea, I have 813a that I shoot at every knob creek. It must have been made just after this one.