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The Maschinengewehr 08, or MG08, was the german army's standard machine gun in World War I.- It was retired from front-line service by 1942.
It could reach a firing rate of up to 400 rounds per minute using 250-round fabric belts of 7.9mm ammunition, although sustained firing would lead to overheating; it was water-cooled using a jacket around the barrel that held approximately one gallon.
Additional telescopic sights were also developed and used in quantity during the war.-
The MG08, like the Maxim Gun, operated on the basis of short barrel recoil and a toggle lock; once cocked and fired the MG08 would continue firing rounds until the trigger was released (or until all available ammunition was expended).
Pre-war production was by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) in Berlin and the government arsenal at Spandau (so that the gun was often referred to as a Spandau MG08). When the war began in August 1914, approximately 12,000 MG08s were available to battlefield units; production, at numerous factories, was however markedly ramped up during wartime. In 1914 some 200 MG08s were produced each month; by 1916—once the weapon had established itself as the pre-eminent defensive battlefield weapon—the number had increased to 3,000; and a year later to 14,400 per month.-
Specifications
Weight, Gun Only: 58lb 5oz (26.44kg)
Weight, On 'Sledge' Mounting: 136lb 11oz (62kg)
O/A Length: 46.25in (1175mm)
Barrel length: 28.3 in (719 mm)
Cartridge: 7.92x57mm Mauser
It could reach a firing rate of up to 400 rounds per minute using 250-round fabric belts of 7.9mm ammunition, although sustained firing would lead to overheating; it was water-cooled using a jacket around the barrel that held approximately one gallon.
Additional telescopic sights were also developed and used in quantity during the war.-
The MG08, like the Maxim Gun, operated on the basis of short barrel recoil and a toggle lock; once cocked and fired the MG08 would continue firing rounds until the trigger was released (or until all available ammunition was expended).
Pre-war production was by Deutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM) in Berlin and the government arsenal at Spandau (so that the gun was often referred to as a Spandau MG08). When the war began in August 1914, approximately 12,000 MG08s were available to battlefield units; production, at numerous factories, was however markedly ramped up during wartime. In 1914 some 200 MG08s were produced each month; by 1916—once the weapon had established itself as the pre-eminent defensive battlefield weapon—the number had increased to 3,000; and a year later to 14,400 per month.-
Specifications
Weight, Gun Only: 58lb 5oz (26.44kg)
Weight, On 'Sledge' Mounting: 136lb 11oz (62kg)
O/A Length: 46.25in (1175mm)
Barrel length: 28.3 in (719 mm)
Cartridge: 7.92x57mm Mauser
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