Jon Smith Modellbau - German MG08 Trench Set

120mm. Resin cast. Incredibly detailed instructions included. 

Contents MG08 Set 

• MG08 (8 parts) / MG08 (8 Teile)
• Prismatic Optical Sight Model ZF 12 (2 parts) / Zielfernrohr ZF 12 (2 Teile)
• Leather Case for ZF 12 Sight / Futteral zum ZF 12
• MG Water Jacket Shield  / MG Mantelpanzer Vorne
• Trench Mount for MG08 (12 parts) / Hilfslafette oder Grabenlafette für MG08 (12 Teile)
• Steam Condesing Can old type (3 parts) / Kühlwasserbehälter alter Art (3 Teile)
• Steam Hose (2 parts / Dampf-Schlauch (2 Teile)
• Double-Ended Metal Spare Barrel Container for MG08 / Ersatzlaufbehälter für 2 Rohre MG08
• 2 x Ammunition Box 11 / 2 x Patronenkasten 11
• Ammunition Box 15 Open (4 parts) / Patronenkasten 15 Offen (4 Teile)
• 2 x Ammunition Box 15  / 2 x Patronenkasten 15
  
• Wooden Ammunition Box Open (3 parts) / Patronenkasten aus Holz Offen (3 Teile)
  
• Wooden Ammunition Box / Patronenkasten aus Holz
• Empty Ammunition Case / Leere Patronenhülsen
• Steel Helmet M16 / Stahlhelm M.16
• Metal Cup M1916 / Tasse M1916
• Pistol 01 / Pistole 01 (or P01)

Maxim Machine Gun 08 / Maxim Maschinengewehr 08:

Germany’s heavy machine gun the Maxim 08 stems from Sir Hiram Maxim’s original invention and was manufactured initially under license by the Berlin based Deutsche Waffen & Munitionsfabriken (DWM)as the MG01 in 1901. By 1903 a total of 13 independent Machine Gun Detachments /Maschingewehr-Abteilungen had been formed, each with six horse-drawn MGs and supporting elements. In 1908 the MG was adopted by the German Army along with the unique sled mount – hence the MG08. By 1913 a total of 100 MG Companies had been formed, incorporated directly within the infantry regiments (the 13th company of a 12 company regiment). At the outbreak of war in September 1914 every active infantry regiment had its own MG Company, leaving some Reserve and most of the Landwehr Units without. MG companies would take on the uniform of their parent unit.

The MG was water cooled and could fire up to 400 rounds per minute using the 250-round fabric belts up to a maximum range of 4,400 yards. Although originally intended as a quick reaction weapon and attached to cavalry divisions, it was in the defence roll, when dug-in a trench system that the weapon proved to be most deadly.

The steam condenser hose attachment, which fits on the front left side of water jacket. The attachment has been modelled with both the hose and jacket connections together as they would appear when the hose is attached.

MG Water Jacket Front Shield (sometimes called Face Plate) – the front jacket shield was the most commonly seen part of the MG’s set of armour. This fitted over the off-set post sight and around the muzzle. The bottom fold in the plate is to allow the attachment of the steam condenser hose.

Colour: the handle grips are hard dark wood (may well have been somewhat lighter when first issued). The steel parts to the MG08 were treated in the bluing process (German – Brünieren) primarily as a protection against rust. This gave a blue-black appearance. In some instances only the water jacket was painted a grey-green as this was the only part of the MG visible when dug in or installed within a bunker. The muzzle section (flash cone, booster), which was also applied the bluing process, were during longer periods of action additionally covered in soot.

The different camouflaged patterns, more associated with the German steel helmets was later applied on occasion to the lighter MG08/15, but to date I have not come across an original WWI photo of this paint scheme to the MG08.