MG 08

Maschinengewehr 08
Maschinengewehr 08 deployed in sandy terrain
Type
Place of originGerman Empire
Service history
In service1908–1945 (Germany)
1911–1960s (China)
Used by25+ countries
See Users
WarsSee Conflicts
Production history
DesignerDeutsche Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM)
Spandau Arsenal
ManufacturerDWM
Spandau and Erfurt arsenals
Hanyang Arsenal
No. built225,000+
72,000 MG 08[1]
130,000 MG 08/15[1]
23,000 LMG 08/15
VariantslMG 08
MG 08/15
LMG 08/15
MG 08/18
HMG Type 24
Specifications
MassTotal 69 kg (152.1 lb) with water, 65 kg (143.3 lb) without water
26.5 kg (58.4 lb) gun body, 4 kg (8.8 lb) of water, 38.5 kg (84.9 lb) tripod
Length1,175 mm (46.3 in)
Barrel length721 mm (28.4 in)
Crew4

Cartridge7.92×57mm Mauser
7.65×53mm Mauser
7x57mm Mauser
13×92mm TuF (TuF variant)
ActionShort recoil, toggle locked
Rate of fire450-500 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity878 m/s (2,881 ft/s)
with (S Patrone)
765 m/s (2,510 ft/s) (s.S. Patrone)
Effective firing range2,000 m (2,187 yd)
Maximum firing range3,700 m (4,046 yd) (S Patrone)
4,700 m (5,140 yd) (s.S. Patrone)
Feed system250-round fabric belt
500-round fabric belt (aircraft)

The MG 08 (Maschinengewehr 08) is a heavy machine gun (HMG) which served as the standard HMG of the Imperial German Army during World War I. It was an adaptation of Hiram Maxim's 1884 Maxim gun design, and was produced in a number of variants during the war. The MG 08 also saw service during World War II in the infantry divisions of the German Army, although by the end of the war it had mostly been relegated to second-rate "fortress" units.

Named after 1908, the year it was adopted by the Imperial German Army, the MG 08 was a development of the license-made Maschinengewehr 01. The MG 08's rate of fire depends on the lock assembly used and averages 500 rounds per minute for the Schloss 08 and 600 rounds per minute for the Schloss 16. Additional telescopic sights were also developed and used in large quantities during World War I to enable the MG 08 to be used in long-range direct fire and indirect fire support roles.

  1. ^ a b Goldsmith 1989, pg.169