MG08 feedblock - strange design?

[MarkFinneran]

An unusual MG08 feedblock for help with id'ing pse? I have had some good feedback already - is this truly an adapted feedblock specifically for blank firing. It is all Imperial stamped. has anyone heard or seen of this before?
VMT
Mark

[dwmmg08]

Hi Mark!

I dunno, at first guess, I said yes, but then when I started looking at it longer, I'm not so sure. Why is the feed pawl collapsed??? Is the spring broken? The "restrictor" which is sticking up in the feedblock seems very odd for blank firing; while those are shorter, you want them either to have a "ramp" or "spacer" for the entire path into the feedblock, something filling the space that they would otherwise slop forward into. This set up looks guaranteed to jam with blanks or live ammo- the pin sticking out is so far in, it would do little good for the feeding of shorter blanks, and would probably just jam up live rounds. as the germans mostly used wood bullet blanks for feeding purposes, I would be very surprised if they would even have a feeblock restrictor for use with short blanks, either- I don't think I've ever seen any crimped short imperial blanks except for Grenatenwerfer launching blanks, but I've seen lots of the wood bullet ones.

With it painted red, I believe it is for training purposes, but I have some other questions. Why does it look like the fitting in the front of the feedblock, which has taken the place of the spring, is hinged?? Look just inside the feedblock, it appears to be there. Also, is there any spring at all on that front part of the feedblock??

Thanks, Glen

[MarkFinneran]

Image and thread found of one of the feedblocks? If the moderator wants to insert this into the other thread then thanks.
Mark

[MarkFinneran]

plus the later normal conversion?

[IMBLITZVT]

Mark,

I have a bunch of MG08/15 items coming. If you are interested in trading that converted MG34 belt feedblock... let me know.

Its been like a year now... time to keep them or trade them.

Matt

[MarkFinneran]

Will do - I am away from the unit at the moment so on my return will get stuck in.
Mark

[dwmmg08]

Hi Mark! I've looked a number of times at these pictures of your feedblock, with the odd restrictor. It looks like the 4th picture is of the normal 08 conversion for the metal belts, but is it the same feedblock as the others?

[bmg17a1]

Is the restrictor marked in any way? Your post is confusing aobout what is 'imperial marked".....
How about a pic or several of the restrictor removed from the feedblock, which would be helpful.

Bob Naess

[hotchkiss1900]

Hello,

this is a feedblock modified by the Belgian for their German Maxim rebarreled in 7,65x53.
This extra piece prevents the exit of a standard German MG 08 belt fitted with long spacers.

The Belgian belt (after mid 1930s) are devoid of long spacers.

Cheers,

JFL

[IMBLITZVT]

JFL, that makes sense!

Any ideas on the red paint!

Looks like you finally got an answer Mark!