May 8-10, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/8/2024
This is a Rh. M. & M. F. (Rheinische Maschinen & Metallwaren Fabrik manufactured 1918 dated Maxim 08/15 machine gun. There were only about 7000 guns produced at this manufacturer, making it one of the rarest to encounter today. (D.W.M. manufactured the fewest 08/15s at about 2000). The gun offered here retains its matching top cover, fusee cover, and charging handle. The barrel, feed block, lock, and buttstock are non-matching. Lower arm of feed block has been broken off, as was typical when these were sold in the United States after WWI. Muzzle booster, bipod, water fill cap are all present. Original amnesty form is included with this gun. This gun was amnesty registered as a deactivated gun, and it has been legally reactivated to be a “live” gun by “U.S. Armament Corp, Ephrata, PA”, and is so marked on the right side of the receiver at the bottom below the charging handle. Electronic NFA registry indicates “UNKNOWN” as the manufacturer. PROVENANCE: Original Amnesty Registration paperwork. CONDITION: Overall appearance and finish is fine original blued finish turned a uniform brown patina. Buttstock is very solid and serviceable with typical dings and bruises. Barrel jacket is a uniform brown patina with light pitting. Original muzzle booster is a brown and gray patina, and original bipod a combination of original green painted finish with brown patina at the high edges. Bore is rifling is extremely fine, turning dark in the grooves. Lock is clean and serviceable with good spring tension. Mechanics are fine, 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 is a classic WWI machine gun, not one that was retrofitted for post-WWI service. Finding an 08/15 by this manufacturer, with original booster, bipod, and the original amnesty registration form is quite an uncommon opportunity. 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 2024-05-014
Paperwork
Amnesty Registration Form