May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/8/2024
This M.A.N. Nurnberg manufactured 1918 dated Maxim 08/15 machine retains several parts which are often missing on other Maxim 08/15 guns. Notably, the steam port cover and drum hanger. The top cover and feedblock are original matching numbers, and the barrel, lock, fusee cover, and crosshead are quality forced matched. Charging handle is unnumbered. The buttstock and drum hanger are non-matching. Reproduction muzzle booster is present, and original water fill cap (with wood thumbpieces intact) are present, as well as original steel bipod. Electronic NFA registry indicates “MAXIM” as the manufacturer. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is extremely fine original finish thinning to a gray and brown patina particularly at the fusee cover and receiver sides. Buttstock is extremely fine in appearance with a 4" crack on both side near the top (a good wood-worker can repair this). Barrel water jacket and bipod have a couple noticeable dings but have extremely fine repainted gray/green finish. Muzzle booster is near excellent. Bore is near excellent, shiny and bright. Lock is extremely fine. Mechanics are crisp and action moves smoothly, with rails recoiling appropriately under fusee spring tension. This is a full-auto-only machine gun. The 08/15 Maxim was the German “light” machine gun of World War I and remained in service throughout the Weimar era of the 1920s and 1930s, eventually becoming a rear echelon weapon through the end of World War II. This specimen with its desirable parts is more complete than most that surface for sale. 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 2024-05-075.
CORRECTION: Barrel length corrected to 28".