NEEDED! cork and chain for the front jacket drain port

[MrMilo]

Team my 08 is almost ready for the range but the one piece that is missing is the cork and chain for the front of the water jacket. Does anyone know where I might get one?

[mg34nz]

I think this may be quite hard to find as I have been looking for quite some time also, From what I have seen it is similar to that of a Vickers MG . Some of that nice European style chain of the appropriate size would be a good start and surely it must be available somewhere? I was considering machining the "cork" part myself. Also it appears that the "cork" was actually a tapered piece of wood fitted over the steel part of the stopper.
I have a Vickers one here minus the wood, if you like I can dig it out and photograph for you.It would be interesting to see how closely it compares with a German one.

Regards
Andrew

[08Maxim]

Its basically the same as the unit for the Browning 1917. Numrich, or Gun Parts, used to have them. I would send them an email and ask. The chain you may have to source yourself, but any hardware store should have some.

[bmg17a1]

Here are some typical chains found on 08s with the correct vintage chains on the left, and a couple at the other end, that have a quarter twist in each link. The chains that have a full wrap in the center of each link dividing it into two loops is not vintage in my opinion. The straight wooden plug is a standard steam port plug as. Odd brass linked chain with the tiny brass balls is decorative, but certainly a repair.
The other picture shows a comparison between BMG and MG08 steam port plugs. The 08 plug stems have the small OD stop at the top below the chain ring. Since the plugs are straight wall and very small OD, the stop is also small. The small brass washer used to retain the wooden plug is kept on the stem end by flare peening the end of the stem.
BMG cork stems have a much wider stop at the top as the corks are tapered and quite wide at the top. The small brass washer retaining the cork at the small end, is held on by a very small brass cotter pin through a hole in the tip of the stem. This is the smallest part on the watercooled BMG......
Vickers are similar to the BMG.
You will have to find these kinds of parts with specialty sources, meaning individiuals, and with luck every once in a while with a dealer. Advertise lots and with luck you will find a vintage stem and chain.

Hope this helps. Bob Naess

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

Great pics. I'm just starting to collect info on the MG-08/15.

Thanks Bob!

[mg34nz]

Thats great Bob! Thank you,I will be able to make something from those pics

Regards
Andrew

[MarkFinneran]

As ever great sources of info, naturally I look for an original German chain plug but have found the wooden examples to be Turkish maxim?
Mark