May 18, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/18/2022
The Spandau Arsenal manufactured MG-08 Maxim is the scarcest manufacturer of this model to find on the collector’s market. According to Dolf Goldsmith’s book, Germany relocated the tooling for Model 1912 Maxim production from the Fabrique Nationale factory to Spandau after Liege was captured, and then opened a 3rd assembly line for production of the MG-08. The result was that approximately 40,000 MG-08 Model guns were manufactured in 1917. Production of the MG-08 at Spandau ceased early in 1918 in favor of MG-08/15 production. The Spandau 1917 produced MG-08 guns were fielded to the fronts and used, and hence their survivability was relatively low compared to the large number of DWM produced guns. This gun looks every inch the combat veteran of “The Great War”. Generally mismatched, but the barrel jacket, receiver, top cover, rear sight, backplate, sight bracket, and safety are matching. Fusee cover is unnumbered. Feedblock, lock, crosshead, charging handle and oiler caps do not match. No barrel present but these are generally available. Wood thumb pieces not present on water fill cap, however front steam port fitting with original chains and drain plug stop and water drain valve are present. Muzzle shield is a robust reproduction. Included with this gun is an Emile Busche A.G. manufactured ZF-12 scope marked “SA” with serial number 1892 in original brown leather case and also a reproduction lower feed arm. Reproduction water jacket armor piece with attachment bolts also included. Electronic NFA registry indicates “SPANDAU ARSENAL” as the manufacturer. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is very good original finish thinning to a grey and brown patina overall with several small dings on the water jacket and fusee cover. Interior of action liberally coated with old grease in the recesses. Wood handles are very good to fine with the left one spit vertically at front with a chip out of the top front. The right handle has no split, but with typical dings. These grips remain serviceable and attractive. Lock is number 236 renumbered to 8104 and extremely fine. Optic is very clear and clean. Gun mechanics are fine, and action moves smoothly when manually pulled back against fusee spring tension. This is a full-auto only machine gun. The Maxim MG-08 is one of the most recognizable weapons of World War I and remained in service albeit in a rear security role with the Germans through the end of World War II. In recent years there have been very successful conversions of the MG-08 to fire 7.62 Russian ammunition. THIS IS A NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT ITEM AND REQUIRES BATF APPROVAL PRIOR TO TRANSFER. THIS ITEM IS FULLY TRANSFERABLE ON AN ATF FORM 3 OR 4 AS CURIO AND RELIC ELIGIBLE. JWK 2022-3-33
Accessories
Optic and armored shield