The Inter-War MG08

[MarkFinneran]

There is an additional reinforcement on the inner bar that holds the locks.

[MarkFinneran]

Pad attachments. Instead of the metal plates that secure the pads being welded, they are bolted on. This is a good idea when it comes to pad replacement.

[IMBLITZVT]

There is no doubt that there was some serious upgrade work but what does it have stamped on the top of the front rails. Normally its dated there. What does that look like? You say its 1936 dated... where is that date?

It really is a cool Sled, I wish I had it. I am unsure about the color too. Looks like Yugo apple green to me. I don't think I have ever seen German items painted like that.

[MarkFinneran]

I will take some images of the rails - there are no maker or date stamps as one would find on a WWI example. The date is on the side though. This green is Werhmacht apple green and may be the same but the provenance of this is sound Matt. I would gladly exchange for juicy WWI items :>)

[MarkFinneran]

Attention to detail - good old Germans.

[MarkFinneran]

The top of the rails only have one small serial number. There are no maker stamps on the top or year as per WWI.

[MarkFinneran]

[MarkFinneran]

Side view showing date.

[MarkFinneran]

Some underneath shots:

[MarkFinneran]

I think I have captured the major differences and I am still convinced this is a post WWI 1930's manufacture. Even the steel feels slightly different. Here is the trommel view and when we get some sun I will take photos of the whole thing set up:

[IMBLITZVT]

I don't know... It just seems ridiculous that they would build one of these with all they must have had left over from WWI... However I clearly have a barrels marked BSW 1936 and who would have thought they would have needed to make barrels either! I do think its possible that they started making Sleds again but I have to feel its much more likely that they just did a serious overhaul like they did on the MG08. What does the fusee say on that MG08? Is the hole gun early or just the top cover?

[MarkFinneran]

MG08 is matching numbers which is always nice. Here is the fuse cover with the nice line down the side.

[MarkFinneran]

and for interest the water jacket hose connector cap, and the the actual hose connector fitting, minus hose!!!

[IMBLITZVT]

Mark,

So was the top cover force matched? Clearly this top cover and fusee cover are not from the same production WWI MG08. So which has been renumbered during the upgrade or have both? Usually the rear right on the top cover is numbered, so does that match the rest of the gun. The front "block" of the Fusee cover is usually numbered. Does that match the rebuild number?

[LA MITRAILLE]

Hello,

for me the colour of the sledmount is sure not german. I think this machine gun is coming back from a other country like finland or suedish. The screw at the leather pad must be repaired by this country.
And i never see for the moment a sledmount or MG made in 30th; it's always WWI rebuilt.

Regards
david