1919 A4 Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Forums

Semi auto MG08 Spandau Maxim gun

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 91 Posts

CaptMax

· Registered
Joined
·
5,200 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Well here she is guys, my semi-auto MG08 1909 Spandau Maxim on the sled mount.
I need to refinish it still but it is working again. I will get around to that soon as I figure out if I will salt blue, park, or DuroCoat the gun.
The water jacket still wears its 100 year old original camouflage paint as does the sled with it's hand painted III Machine Gun Corp markings. I have the sled tools, AA mount, spare barrel, armor shields, belts, 1905 steam chest, and a Zf12 optic. Still need the spare locks and broken shell extractors for the sled boxes and a steam hose though. Hope you enjoy the pictures. I will post a range report soon as the weather warms, as well as tell who the builder was once I okay that with him. I must say he did me right and it is nothing short of amazing work he does. This is one of those days you hope never ends. :D
CaptMax





 
#2 ·
Oh my that is beautiful :eek: I am glad to see you finally got it since it has been a long time goal. Congrats Brother I can't wait to hear the range report.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#9 ·
WOW, beautiful! You got all the nice toys. I suppose it would be all wrong to mount a German WWI weapon on top a post WWII British armor car.

I got two MG08 kits to build semi. I've not seen a build documented anywhere. It does look very similar to the Maxim and I plan to use that as my guide. Is there a chance he would share anything about how the semi conversion was done?

Karl
 
Discussion starter · #10 ·
Thanks for the nice comments guys, I appreciate everyone's input. As they only have the original finish once I am going to look into "aging" the RSP. I can always refinish it later on if I should so desire. I will contact the builder and see if he doesn't mind me releasing his name, I just want to give him the courtesy of that before I do. This "08 really makes a statement in the war room due to its size. I love my German collection and this is definitely a favorite!
CaptMax
 
#11 ·
I'm the guilty party here, nice mount btw Steve. Its a bit more complicated making the 08 semi versus the 1910 since the mount hugs the bottom of the gun so close. I will be offering the build service for them, maybe late this year or early next. I did a small run of 08 semi plates for them a few years ago and the Capt. got my last one. The right plate is used as the semi plate on these, I know in the past kits were brought in missing the left so start looking for a left plate if possible.
Dennis
MMC.LLC 07/02 midwestmetal@hotmail.com
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
midwestmetal said:
I'm the guilty party here, nice mount btw Steve. Its a bit more complicated making the 08 semi versus the 1910 since the mount hugs the bottom of the gun so close. I will be offering the build service for them, maybe late this year or early next. I did a small run of 08 semi plates for them a few years ago and the Capt. got my last one. The right plate is used as the semi plate on these, I know in the past kits were brought in missing the left so start looking for a left plate if possible.
Dennis
MMC.LLC 07/02 midwestmetal@hotmail.com
Click to expand...
Thanks for chiming in Dennis, it saves me from contacting you again. Those of you familiar with Midwest Metals work know how his attention to detail is. You won't be disappointed in having Dennis build you anything. I look forward to having more builds from him in the future as soon as I get the ferret project completed and can get back to the firearms I enjoy so much. I have seen one other "08 MWM built for a friend and it was blued beautifully but Dennis was kind enough to let me take mine and do the refinish myself. I was just tight on funds and it saved me a few dollars and was able to get it back just a bit sooner than I expected. Thanks Dennis, you do awesome work and I really appreciate all your help!!! :thanks:
CaptMax
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
bmg17a1 said:
Can't make out the serial number on the fusee cover. Please post what it is......
Click to expand...
There is none on it Bob, I've looked it over with a magnifying glass just to be sure. I know the serial on the gun tends to lead to a 1915 production but I believe the fusee to be original to the gun. Until another 1909 Spandau shows up I can't be proven wrong can I ? :D
CaptMax
 
#16 ·
bmg17a1 said:
Yes, the Spandaus had the serial on the topcover only and not the fusee, but I thought I could see a serial on it and was curious if it was true........
Click to expand...
If you zoom this picture up, you can see the serial number, 4004, on the LSP also.
Image


Look to the left of the fuse cover about 1.5" and down 2.0" from the top.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Everything, including every little screw has the same numbers. Only mismatched parts are the lock and barrel. Dennis even numbered my new plate to match. :D
CaptMax











 
#18 ·
Got no zoom on this here set up......However, seems we've discussed this a while back and a serial of 4XXX would indicate manufacture in 1915 or thereabouts. If the gun was actually a 1909, available records indicate that the serial would be very low, probably somehere between low and high three digits. So, it doesn't seem possible for a 1909 dated fusee cover to be original to that gun, but it is a unique artifact. I know the whereabouts of quite a few Spandaus and will check around and see if anyone has a very early one.
If someone shows up with a Spandau 08 that is within the 1909 serial range, with an incorrect or missing fusee cover, he'll be wanting to have a chat with you. 8^)
BTW, if you want to undertake to cold blue the sideplate give me a call sometime as I've done some over the years. FWIW
 
#19 ·
Very nice CaptMax
Dennis is a true Craftsman. I like the worn been there done that look and would also try to keep that and match the RSP. As you stated you can always refinish at a later date. Looks like you're running out of space in your GunRoom/ManCave. I'm having the same problem.
It's great to see these pieces of history brought back to life, What an Awesome Gun.
 
#20 ·
bmg17a1 said:
Got no zoom on this here set up......However, seems we've discussed this a while back and a serial of 4XXX would indicate manufacture in 1915 or thereabouts. If the gun was actually a 1909, available records indicate that the serial would be very low, probably somehere between low and high three digits. So, it doesn't seem possible for a 1909 dated fusee cover to be original to that gun, but it is a unique artifact. I know the whereabouts of quite a few Spandaus and will check around and see if anyone has a very early one.
If someone shows up with a Spandau 08 that is within the 1909 serial range, with an incorrect or missing fusee cover, he'll be wanting to have a chat with you. 8^)
BTW, if you want to undertake to cold blue the sideplate give me a call sometime as I've done some over the years. FWIW
Click to expand...
A Spandau '08 s/n of 4004a should put it in the 1917-1918 date range. It would be sequence number 14004 in Spandau production. My 1914 Spandau '08 s/n is 2846, no letter suffix, would also have production sequence number 2846. That makes it 11158 lower in the sequence than 4004a. My 1914 marked fusee cover has the s/n, 2846, stamped on the inside of the front of the clip plate.

Image
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
1 - 20 of 91 Posts
About this Discussion
90 Replies
21 Participants
Last post:
CaptMax
1919 A4 Forums
posts
590K
members
13K
Since
2006
A forum community dedicated to Browning 1919 A4 firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, gunsmithing, restoration, troubleshooting, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Off Topic Lounge General Member Classifieds Semi 1919a4 Building 1919a4 Related Classifieds Miscellaneous Firearms