MG 08 finally home

[MrMilo]

When I bought this set up someone postwar had already repainted the water jacket and sled. Its a 1918 DWM on a 1916 sled, the paint job is based on the pattern from an original 1916 helmet I have. I was a bit nervous about the paintjob and I hope I did the 08 justice with the time and effort put in. One question I would like to ask is how exactly does the cork/chain on the bottom front of the barrel jacket work? Feedback would be great guys, thanks!

[bmg17a1]

The 08s used a slightly taped hardwood "cork" to stop the hose connection port rather than an actual cork plug as pictured. The pictured cork and chain appear to be a Vickers assembly which will do the job, but is not correct. The chains were the stamped and folded link style as used elsewhere on the guns.

Bob Naess

[DARIVS ARCHITECTVS]

MrMilo, that MG-08 look ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS!!!!

Huge congrats!

[roadrunner]

I agree. Great job. Those WWI camo patterns are so unique and different from anything else. Just really adds a "wow" factor to a historical piece. Nice job. Thanks for sharing pics. RR

[MarkFinneran]

Don't stop now - paint the whole house! I do understand the need sometimes to paint as often through no fault of anybody's sleds/guns have been painted by previous owners. are you going to 'distress' it ?
one interesting point is that your sled is dated you say 1916, yet appears to have the ''economy manufacture'' box omissions. Who is the maker please?
mark

[MrMilo]

Mark where on the sled do I find the manufacturer's mark?

[jmann]

Nice looking paint. I understand the fun of the painted maxim. Ive been guilty myself.
The maker mark should be on the opposite side wing of the date if it is not on the same side. I have seen both ways.
I currently have 3 sleds. A 1916, 1917, and 1918. The 16 has all of the boxes and leather pads as well as brass range plate. The 17 has all boxes, aluminum range plate and cloth pads. The 18 has leather pads, aluminum range plate and no boxes. By boxes I mean the oil and solvent box in the center and the small box on the left led for patches and muzzle gland. If your sled is a 1916, it is definitely the earliest I have ever seen to have the boxes omitted. (they were omited late war as a means of speeding up production)