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The Maxim Model of 1908/15
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Although the success of the Maxim 08 MG on the battlefield it became apparent that a lighter, less cumbersome weapon would be a great advantage. The British deployment of their air cooled Lewis LMG was particularly effective, allowing the rapid relocation of defensive MG support in the close confines of the trenches of the Western Front. The French also sought to develop a light automatic weapon (the Chaut Chaut) a magazine fed, air cooled machine rifle which could be operated by a single soldier. In light of their enemies success, the Germans sought to deploy a lighter MG which would take a minimum of retooling to produce and still have the effectiveness of their old workhorses, the '08 Maxim. Their effort resulted in their Maxim MG, Model of 1908/15. In reality the '08/15 was only a modification of their heavy '08 Maxims. This "new gun" functioned the same in its firing cycle, had many interchangeable parts internally and was lightened to the extent where the gun could be advanced with attacking soldiers. To decrease the weight they reduced the water capacity of the cooling jacket. They also removed the mount for the ZF12 telescopic sight. They redesigned the box receiver to reduce some of the dead space. They redesigned the ejection process so that the spent cartridge would be directly expelled rather than jamming it through a tube. They developed an entirely new mount, replacing the cumbersome '08 sled with a light bi-pod that allowed for a 180 degree traverse and weighing no more than a couple of pounds. Interior parts were kept essentially the same to minimize tooling up time with the exception of the feed block. The feed blocks of the '08 and the '08/15 were not interchangeable. In addition, a new booster/flash hider was introduced, providing for a much more positive recoil action. A shoulder stock replaced the double handed spade grips of the old '08 and a pistol grip and trigger was installed to replace the thumb trigger and internal trigger bar of the old '08. Provision was made for introduction of a 100 round ammunition drum to be hung on the side of the receiver and a strap was attached for carrying or operating the gun from the slung position by a single gunner. All provisions for trench armor often found with the '08 we done away with and the crew required was reduced from 5 to three with capability for operation by a single gunner. The savings resulted in a reduction of the gun and mount from 140 pounds to just a little over 43 (not including ammunition drum). The gun provided the same rate of fire, used the same ammunition, belts and many internal parts. It also maintained the same reliability as the older '08 and required little retraining to operate. By 1916 it was being fully deployed throughout the German lines. It was instrumental in the disaster of the Somme at times cutting down advancing British troops in windrows much like they were wheat. The 08/15 has one other dubious fact that should be related. It is singularly responsible for more causalities on the battlefield than any other weapon ever deployed, including the Atomic Bomb. It has truly earned the reputation of the Devils Paint Brush. |
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USMC MG Collection