The German 08 Maxim belt-fed heavy machinegun is considered by many historians to have accounted for the most casualties of any machinegun of the First World War. It was the most lethal and difficult obstacle to US, French and British troop movements until it was finally silenced by the Armistice on November 11, 1918.Because of the extreme danger it presented, it was the most treasured war trophy for American soldiers to bring home. Most 08 Maxims in private ownership in America are dated 1918, the last year of The Great War. Maxims dated 1917 are usually found to be in well-worn condition or worse. This 08 Maxim is a remarkable exception. Most of its original deep luster blue finish remains intact on the waterjacket with some light surface rust. It’s early date and excellent condition indicate it must have been captured shortly after America’s entry into the war.
This 08 Maxim comes mounted on the Cadillac of Maxim mounts, the Swiss Maxim tripod. The Swiss Maxim tripod combines quality Swiss engineering and functionality with practical usability, unlike the WWI German stamped sheet metal mount which was very clumsy to set up, stow away and operate. This Maxim has a single dent in the waterjacket. Except for the lock, steam hose fitting and drain valve, all serial numbers match including the display-only barrel and the muzzle gland. An extra barrel is included for shooting. Even the wood grips have the original varnish finish German gunners gripped until this Maxim was silenced.
This is the first original matching serial numbered muzzle gland we have ever seen on a Maxim, possibly because this is an early 1917 manufactured gun, captured before the muzzle gland was replaced in the field. The muzzle gland allows the Maxim to shoot slower-extending ammunition and save on ammo costs. SEE VIDEO BELOW.$25,000. This machinegun transfers to your dealer tax-free.This is a fully transferable machinegun and the price includes an original German Maxim belt loader with original cloth belt for 8mm Mauser cartridges, a 1910 Maxim tool kit, a 250-round Swiss Maxim steel ammunition belt which makes shooting this gun very easy, an extra “shooter” Maxim barrel and the only instruction book you will ever need on the Maxim machinegun, Dolf Goldsmith’s masterpiece entitled The Devil’s Paintbrush.
You are offerding on an original and desirable WW1 Machine Gun optical sight for the German MG 08 Maxim Machine Gun. This Z.F.12 optical Gun Sight was made by G. RODENSTOCK IN MUNCHEN serial number 1969. I looked all over the internet and could not find an example of the G Rodenstock Z.F.12. Feb 08, 2016 About 15 years ago I purchased a water-cooled Maxim machine gun with its original tripod mount. It's an ex-Russian gun that was captured by the Finns in the Winter War, and refurbished in their armory, but then sold as surplus. It is in 7.62x54R and it's in excellent condition except the right sideplate was removed to make it BATF legal.
LSB#: 120830TS02Make: IMA (International Military Antiques), Russian OriginModel: Maxim, Fluted Heat Shield, Pre Snow Filling CapSerial Number: NSN, This is NOT a Gun. This is a demilled big heavy piece of metal.Year of Manufacture: 1910-1942Caliber: 7.62mm x 54, Russian 7.62Action Type: Inert, there is no internal action and the side plates have been removed and replaced per ATF compliance.Markings: This replica has multiple serial number markings throughout. Most of the markings have slash marks through them, likely the original markings. Later some of the parts were renumbered at the factory where the guns were de-militarized, likely for their inventory purposes. There are small Soviet ‘Stars’ found on the top of the fluted water jacket and on some of the moving parts. The original serial number stamps by the trigger also resemble Soviet block lettering. The top of the receiver is marked “KORJ.
This bears typical Soviet Maxim Markings.Length: The demilled Maxim is roughly 44” long and the stand 45” long. The width of the machine gun is roughly 4 ½” and the stand roughly 26”.
This is one big piece of artillery for that Man Cave, or entry. Please see our photos for a size/ scale comparison.
The person in the photo is 6’ tall.Sights / Optics: The gun is mounted with a front blade sight and a rear adjustable folding v- notch. This sight appears to be Authentic.Type of Finish: Original finish was painted brass. The right and left side plates have been removed and replaced to meet ATF requirements and are not original to the gun. The fluted water jacket, Sokolov mount, and remaining parts appear to have been refinished.
This was a war machine for WWI and WWII, so as parts broke or through the process of demilitarization, some parts have been replaced and refinished as required. The original parts match so well with the manufactured parts that you can’t tell unless told.Finish Originality: Most to all parts are likely refinished.Bore Condition: The bore is welded closed. This gun will not fire and cannot be made to fire. It is a display only. The side plates render it permanently inoperable.Overall Condition: This gun retains about 60% of its metal finish.
The balance of the finish shows a desirable patina that makes determining the overall metal finish difficult. This is not a perfectly restored show piece, it has a rugged WWII feel that looks untouched (though refinished). The gun appears to have a faux old military finish. There are some raised places in the finish, likely when the gun was refinished over light erosion.
There are a few light dents in the water jacket. The Screw heads are slightly disfigured in some places. The markings are mostly clear. Overall, this gun rates in about Good overall condition for its age and as a replica.Mechanics: The action does not function correctly. Each side plate has been replaced with 3/8” thick steel. The side plates are not slotted for an extractor and any grooves required for function have been machined away.
There are no clearance cuts for the recoil plates. The breech blocks have been deactivated by welding the firing pin holes closed, grinding off the levers from each side of the extractors, and welding the breech block bodies to the extractors. The breech end of the barrels have been welded closed and the barrels have been welded to the trunions. Both dummy side plates are riveted to the turion and bottom-plate.Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This Replica comes with the original ad from Sportsman’s Guide, copies of ATF paperwork declaring this gun to be a demilitarized replica in non firing and cannot be converted into fire configuration.
There is also a photocopy from an unknown publication with some of the specs for the machine gun. This replica also comes with an authentic Sokolov mount. The mount has a similar rough finish and is in consistent condition with the gun.Our Assessment: INCOMING heads down boys!
This was the one of the most feared weapons in the trenches. This gun fired Fully automatic 250-300 Rounds per minute. Water-cooled this machine could retain near unlimited continuous fireing capability. The Sokolov mount was completely necessary to wheel this massive heavy machinegun around the trenches. This design was so devastating in WWI they still used it into WWII and Vickers even took the design for the Allies. If your looking for the most impressive conversation piece to go in your home, or your new place when your wife kicks you out, this is it! These don’t come up at auction often.CA Legal or CA Private Party Transferable: This is a non-firing replica that cannot be made to fire.
This will ship to anyone 18 years or older with a valid ID.LSB#: 120830TS02 Make: IMA (International Military Antiques), Russian Origin Model: Maxim, Fluted Heat Shield, Pre Snow Filling Cap Serial Number: NSN, This. Shipping:UPS Insured shipping will cost $400. This will likely require freight and a manufactured container.Your item will be shipped within 1 week of receipt of payment, usually the next day and you will receive an automatic notification with a tracking number upon shipment, to let you know that we have received funds.
If you are in Southern California, you are welcome to pick the item up and complete the transfer at our shop in Simi Valley (M-F, 8-5).This item can only be shipped to a verified adult, and it will be shipped from an FFL. It is your responsibility to ensure that the item is legal to own and receive in your area. Please include a copy of your driver’s license with payment; this is for proof of age. We are FFL dealers and comply with all Federal, State and local laws.Payment:Full payment on non-layaway items is required within 14 days. We accept Cashiers Checks, Money Orders, Cash and Personal Checks.
No Credit Cards or electronic payments are accepted. To help us properly apply your payment, please indicate what item you have purchased when payment and/or FFL are sent. If you would like to be notified when we receive your payment, please obtain a tracking number from your carrier. We receive about 40 checks a day and do not have the staff required to email everyone when we receive checks.CA Sales tax applies to CA buyers (7.25%).Layaways are offered on all items, requiring a 20% non refundable down payment within 7 days of the auction’s close and the balance within 60 days.
We do not require prior notice to place an item on the layaway. No returns are accepted on layaway items and the item will be considered abandoned after 60 days.Successful Bidder Instructions:You will be invoiced by the morning following the sale. This invoice will include totals for the sale and all instructions.If you win an item and are not willing or able to complete the sale, you will be liable for 5% of the sale price.Returns (less shipping) are accepted within 3 days of when the item is delivered with signature confirmation. Returns are accepted for material misrepresentation, non disclosed flaws, overrepresentation & damage in shipping. Sometimes we miss, overlook or confuse things and we promise to make it right as best we can when we do. It is our goal to resolve return issues to keep all parties satisfied with their dealings (look at our feedback).
Our return policy is not designed for folks who have just changed their mind or who did not fully read the description. Returns are very costly for both the buyer and for us, so please ask all of your questions before bidding and please be sure you can legally purchase this item. Thank You!Please leave feedback when the item is happily received, we will leave feedback in return. If you are not satisfied, for any reason, please contact us before leaving negative or neutral feedback. (805) 285-0715 & www.lsbauctions.comNo gun should be fired without being examined by a competent gunsmith.