Skip to content

MG08 Machine Gun

The MG08 was the principal heavy machine gun used by the Germans during World War I. It was a development of Maxim’s 1894 design licensed for manufacturing in Germany. It fired a 7.9mm cartridge at a rate of 500 rounds per minute. The sled mount was the most stable mount ever designed for the heavy Maxim gun, although the sled and gun together weighed some 62 Kgs (136 lbs).

The cylindrical water can disappeared early from the front lines to be replaced by a water container having the same dimensions as an ammunition case.

At the start of WW1, the German army used an ammunition box with two compartments each holding a 250-round belt. These were replaced in 1915 by a box holding a single 250-round belt.

Leave a Reply