MG08 topcover Markings

[pdstout]

Guys, I am just getting into MG08s. I found this one in a storage bin. After cleaning it up I found these markings on the top cover. Any Idea what they may be? Any help would be great. I also need a few parts. a Lock, and sled mount. Anyone know where I can find one?
Thanks, P. Stout

[pdstout]

From the serial numbers it it a 1915 DWM.
P. Stout

[MarkFinneran]

Sir - just out of interest.............where are these storage bins?

Just curious!!!!!!!

Mark

[Bil]

Pete-good to see you around again! ---bil

[pdstout]

Here are a few more pics. I need help on getting this old gal running again. Any information would be great.
Thanks, P. Stout

[pdstout]

The markings came out after a overnight soak in a electrolysis tank.
P. Stout

[alpencorps]

hallo,

the marking looks like a Regimental-stamps,
R 33. 3 ....??

can you write the types?
they are not to see very easy on the picture.

Greetings
Alpencorps

[pdstout]

It looks like

r R 33. 3 MG/
G2
I cannot make out what it says after the MG.
Do you have any idea what it is?
Thanks, P. Stout

[bmg17a1]

Here's a very early MG08, 1908 DWM #39, whcih I have pictured here before. The pic is just to demonstrate the typical format and font of unit markings. the markings on the 08 above are very similar to these and indicate regiment, MG group and # of the gun of the total issued to the unit.

bob Naess

[alpencorps]

hallo,

your Gun ist Unit marked Infanterieregiment #33, 3. MG Kompanie, Gun #2.
The Reg. # 33 was the
Füsilier-Regiment Graf Roon (1. Ostpreußisches) Nr. 33 , garrison is Gumbinnen, (Town in Eastern Prussia.)
Up to 1916, every Regiment had 3 Battailons with 4 Companies, & the 13. Kompanie, that was the MG-Companie.


To the end of 1916,ther was a new organisation in the German Imperial Army,
every Battailon becomes a MG-Kompanie, so there are now 3 MG Kompanies per Regiment.
At this time , your Gun was marked with the shown markings.

Attached, find pic from a Barrel with a early kind (bevor War and up to 1915) Regimental marking.

Greetings
Alpencorps

[bmg17a1]

Alpencorp: Excellent info on the #33 Maxim. Would similar info on the 35R. MG from the 1908 dated Maxim pictured. Haven't been able to find out anything about location of the Batt, Reg, etc. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Bob

[alpencorps]

@ Bob,

congratulation to your early and verry very nice Gun....

the Infanterieregiment #35 was named:

Fueselierregiment Prinz Heinrich von Preussen (brandenburgisches) Nr 35, garrison in Brandenburg (close to Berlin)
foundet in 1815, third prussinan Armeecorps.

greetings from Germany
alpencorps

[bmg17a1]

Alpencorp: thanks very much for posting the regimental info on MG08 #39.

That gives me a good basis for more research. thanks again.

Bob

[LA MITRAILLE]

Hello bob,

Your machine gun was in the 6 th Infantry division at the beginning of war still the end; but also removed in march 1917, in the 228 th ID!





If you are interest i can send you by email the different areas where they fight during all the war; my email (david.kittler@wanadoo.fr)

I also have a MG 08/15 with regiment stamp:



Best regards
david

[alpencorps]

Hallo Bob,

attached the Battle-Calendar of the 6th Infanterie Division.

Like Davids posting was the IR35 a part of this Division..... up to March 1917


• Gefechtskalender der 6. Infanterie-Division von 1914 bis 1918:
• WESTFRONT:
• 4.-16.8.1914: Eroberung von Lüttich
• 18.-19.8.1914: Schlacht an der Gette
• 23.-24.8.1914: Schlacht bei Mons
• 25.-27.8.1914: Schlacht bei Solesmes und Le Cateau
• 28.-30.8.1914: Kämpfe an der Somme
• 1.9.1914: Gefecht bei Villers-Cotterêts
• 4.9.1914: Gefecht bei Vieils - Maisons - Montmirail
• 5.-9.9.1914: Schlacht am Ourcq
• 6.-7.9.1914: Montceaux - Esternay
• 10.9.1914: Nachhutgefechte bei Neuilly - St.Front
• 12.9.14-1.7.1915: Kämpfe an der Aisne
• 30.10.1914: Gefecht bei Vailly
• 2.11.1914: Gefecht bei Soupir
• 8.-14.1.1915: Schlacht bei Soissons
• 9.5.-23.7.1915: Schlacht bei La Bassée und Arras
• 24.7.-1.8.1915: Stellungskämpfe in Flandern und Artois
• 1.8.-20.9.1915: Reserve der OHL bei Valenciennes
• 28.11.15-21.2.1916: Kämpfe an der Aisne
• OSTFRONT
• 21.9.-6.10.1915: Zweiter Aufmarsch an der serbischen Nordgrenze
• 6.10.-14.11.1915: Feldzug in Serbien
• 9.-11.10.1915: bei Semendria (Serbien)
• 18.-19.10.1915: Gefechte an der Ralja (Serbien)
• 20.-23.10.1915: Gefechte bei Palanka - Rasanac (Serbien)
• 21.-23.10.1915: Eroberung der Palanka-Stellung (Serbien)
• 24.-26.10.1915: Gefechte an der Raca (Serbien)
• 27.-29.10.1915: Gefechte an der Lepenica (Serbien)
• 30.10.-1.11.1915: Eroberung von Kragujevac (Serbien)
• 30.10.-3.11.1915: Gefechte bei Kragujevac -Bagrdan (Serbien)
• 4.-6.11.1915: Verfolgung bis an die Morava (Serbien)
• 15.-24.11.1915: Reserve der OHL in Ungarn.
• WESTFRONT
• 21.2.-16.3.1916: Schlacht bei Verdun
• 21.-23.2.1916: Erstürmung des Herbebois
• 21.-24.2.1916: Kämpfe um die Vorstellungen von Verdun
• 25.-26.2.1916: Eroberung des Fort Douaumont
• 27.2.-16.3.1916: Kämpfe im Caillette-Wald
• 7.-11.3.1916: Kämpfe um Dorf und Fort Vaux
• 8.-9.3.1916: Erstürmung des Nordhanges der Vaux-Kuppe
• 16.3.-22.4.1916: Stellungskampf im Oberelsass
• 22.4.-16.6.1916: Schlacht bei Verdun
• 22.4.-1.6.1916: Kämpfe im Caillette-Wald
• 22.-25.5.1916: Kämpfe um Fort Douaumont
• 16.6.-21.9.1916: Stellungskämpfe in der Champagne
• 21.-27.9.1916: Stellungskampf bei Roye–Noyon(Reserve der OHL)
• 27.9.-5.10.1916: Reserve der Heeresgruppe Kronprinz Rupprecht
• 5.-27.10.1916: Schlacht an der Somme
• 28.10.-28.11.1916: Kampf im Argonner Wald
• 28.11.16-7.2.1917: Stellungskämpfe in den Argonnenen
**********************************************************************************************************************

• 8.2.-14.4.1917: Stellungskampf im Oberelsass als Reserve der OHL.
• 18.4.-4.5.1917: Doppelschlacht Aisne und in der Champagne
• 4.5.-30.6.1917: Stellungskampf im Oberelsaß (Reserve der OHL)
• OSTFRONT
• 1.-15.7.1917: Reserve der OHL
• 15.-18.7.1917: Stellungskämpfe östlich Zloczow
• 19.-28.7.1917: Durchbruchsschlacht in Ostgalizien
• 19.7.1917: Durchbruch Harbuzo - Zwyzyn
• 20.7.1917: Bialoglowy - Nestcrowce
• 21.7.1917: Worobijowka - Stadnia
• 24.-25.7.1917: Tarnopol
• 24.7.1917: Sereth-Übergang
• 24.7.1917: Ostrow und Berezowica
• 29.7.-8.10.1917: Stellungskämpfe am Sereth.
• WESTFRONT
• 8.2.-14.4.17: Stellungskampf im Oberelsass (Reserve der OHL)
• 18.4.-4.5.17: Doppelschlacht an der Aisne
• 8.-13.10.1917: Reserve der OHL
• 13.-23.10.1917: Stellungskämpfe am Chemin des Dames
• 23.10.1917: Gefecht bei Chavignon
• 24.10.-2.11.1917: Nachhutkämpfe an und südlich der Ailette
• 3.11.17-21.2.1918: Stellungskämpfe nördlich der Ailette
• 21.2.-20.3.1918: Reserve der OHL (Ruhezeit hinter der 18. Armee)
• 21.-22.3.1918: Durchbruchsschlacht bei St.Quentin - La Fère
• 21.3.-6.4.1918: Große Schlacht in Frankreich
• 21.-22.3.1918: Kämpfe beim Übergang über die Somme und den Crozat-Kanal zwischen St.Christ und Tergnier
• 25.-31.3.1918: Verfolgungskämpfe bis Montdidier und Noyon
• 7.4.-27.5.1918: Kämpfe an der Avre und bei Montdidier - Noyon
• 27.5.-13.6.1918: Schlacht bei Soissons und Reims
• 27.5.1918: Erstürmung der Höhen des Chemin des Dames
• 28.5.-1.6.1918: Verfolgungskämpfe zwischen Oise und Aisne und über die Vesle bis zur Marne
• 30.5.-13.6.1918: Angriffskämpfe westlich und südwestlich von Soissons
• 14.6.-4.7.1918: Stellungskämpfe zwischen Oise, Aisne und Marne
• 5.-17.7.1918: Stellungskämpfe westlich Soissons
• 18.-25.7.1918: Abwehrschlacht zwischen Soissons und Reims
• 26.7.-3.8.1918: Bewegliche Abwehrschlacht zwischen Marne und Vesle
• 3.8.-3.9.1918: Reserve der 9. bzw. 17. Armee
• 3.-26.9.1918: Kämpfe vor der Siegfriedfront 1918
• 27.9.-8.10.1918: Abwehrschlacht zwischen Cambrai und St.-Quentin
• 9.10.-11.11.1918: Kämpfe vor und in der Hermannstellung
• 24.10.-4.11.1918: Schlacht um Valenciennes
• 5.-11.11.1918: Rückzugskämpfe vor der Antwerpen-Maas-Stellung
• 11.11.1918: Waffenstillstand an der Westfront
• 12.11.1918: Beginn der Räumung des besetzten Gebiets. Rückmarsch in die Heimat.

greetings
Alpencorps

[www.Prussia.us]

Pete,

NICE MG08

I cannot think of a more noble winter project than getting one of them up and running, how sweet it must be to be an FFL-07

[dwmmg08]

Thanks for all the interesting posts here! Love to see the history of these old guns.

The 6th ID was the unit whose members captured Fort Douaumont at Verdun, not this regiment exactly, but still a part of this division, while they were in the Division-

Famous story, and an interesting one!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Douaumont

An intrepid and interesting move by a brave Prussian NCO and some Junior Officers and their men, which eventually got them all decorated or recognized, although some not until after the war. Kunze, the NCO that was the first German soldier in the Fort, was later a Police Officer, all of them did great work there!

Glen

[bmg17a1]

David and Alpencorps: thank-you very much for the very interesting listings of the movement and location of where and when IR35 MG08 #39 was used. Glad to have your excellent help with my inqueries!
What I read as the date notations sometmes include a "14.6" or a "12.5". What does the part unit mean with these number? Like the ".4" or ".5"?
Is the first number day or month or? I see notation like: 27.5.-13.6.1918: "27.5" can't be the months, so I assume it is the day, but then there's the 13.6........
Again thanks for the help.

Bob Naess

[IMBLITZVT]

Bob,

In Europe they always do day.month.year.

so 27.12-15.1.18

Would be to us: Dec 27, 1918 to Jan 15, 1918.

They also which "." and "," so to them 6.000,00 is $6,000.00 to us.

Oh and when the write a "1" it looks more like and upside down "V".

Hope that answers it.

[dwmmg08]

Bob, Matt's right, it's Day-Month-Year, so 13.6.18 would be June 13, 1918.

There's some fantastic stuff here on the 35th Regiment, have you ever tried looking for items from that unit to go with your gun?

If you're interested, oddly enough, the New York City Public Library has some of the best collections of WWI German unit histories in the world, they have many of the Regiment's histories of service in the Great War, perhaps even more than are available in one place in Europe. For some reason they've got hundreds of them. You might try checking with them to see if they have the 35th's history, it's likely they even have pictures of themselves in action in the book, most do, but many have pictures of areas they were at. Do you know any of the history of your gun after the war?

Edit: If anyone's interested in looking, here's a link:

http://catalog.nypl.org/iii/encore/sear ... uite=pearl

I could not find the 35th regiment, but their catalogs a little hard to use: it's possible they've got it, or one of the other guns listed, or perhaps not. They also have a wonderful set of WWI French unit histories, lots and lots of those. Of course, all are in German or French...

The Barrel marked for the 15th Regiment is fascinating, that must have been a truly paranoid Sgt. who marked up even the spare barrels with the unit!!! I've seen that one before, but I've never seen another like it, anywhere, but I'll bet they're out there! One thing neat about pre-WWI German military stuff, is that it's often marked for the unit, so it's possible to find out who carried it, and when. As the war went on, they and I think all sides quit doing that, as it was found to be an intelligence boon for the other side.

Glen