Collection of WWI Imperial MG's - Canadian Expeditionary Force Captures

[agentcq]

Some Berta bois and I were able to finally pick up this fine collection of CEF Captured MG's and one CEF Issued MG.

I will share two pictures of the lot and will try to add more detailed pictures over the next few days.

MG #1
MG08/15
Erfurt 1917
Serial #10152
Fussee Cover and Feed lock MM but matching to each other #5801
MG has remnants of original camouflage paint on the water jacket and capture paint.

This MG is listed in the Canadian Capture book and was captured by the 10th Batt (Calgary Highlanders -aka some good olde Berta bois) on the 2nd of August 1918 (last 100 days) at Bibeau Villers-Lez-Cagnicourt and Boissy Switch.

 

[pitfighter]

Very, very nice.
Some primo trophies there.

 

[Absolut]

These are some heavy bringback trophies! Are they still live or deactivated?

 

[agentcq]

MG #2
MG08/15 Spandau 1918
Serial # 5356 'c'

Listed in the CEF Capture book but no information recorded. This one is all matching.

These are really 'old school' DEWATs and are in the 'grey'. Long story short, they were captured and brought back to Canada. Parts were removed at random to DEWAT them (Feed trays, triggers, locks etc.). They were then given to Legions, Schools, Town Halls, etc. throughout the country. Most simply vanished in the last ~20 years.

Last batch of ~5-7x I found was 5 years ago and they were is worse condition.

I am facilitating this deal and they were purchased and are being held by a Canadian Dealer. Absolut - there is a good chance that many of these are going to a large Austrian dealer, who I believe you know. The MG 08, and the first two MG08/15's I posted will likely stay in Canada.

 

[Absolut]

They'll then be about 6x the price he paid when over here . When at that, could you possibly ship back one or two Yugo SKS snipers in this shipment? I'd speak with him if he would accept this, if possible.

Re the parts, not shipped yet - end of business year at company, too much work. I figured it won't be this urgent, but have them on my office desk right in front of me, so a good reminder. Sorry!

 

[R.W. Parker]

These are really 'old school' DEWATs and are in the 'grey'.

Reminds me of the dewats Val used to sell at Service Armament back in the late 60s. Many of those guns merely had a led slug hammered into the chamber...

 

[agentcq]

MG #3
MG08/15
Spandau 1917
Serial number 2847 'a'

Recorded in the CEF Capture book. Captured by the 5th CMR (Quebec) on 2 August 1918 near Dury, France.

Not much left on this one, but it has some of the nicest capture markings (white paint) which gives us additional insight as this MG is double listed by the 50th Bn (Calgary - KOCR) who also claimed ownership. However, the capture paint tells the whole story. It is possible that the 50th Bn initially captured it and moved on, only for the CMR to roll in behind them and claim in for themselves. We will never know.

 

[agentcq]

MG #4
MG08/15 Spandau 1917
Serial number 4866 "l" suffix?

Listed in the CEF Capture book. Captured by the 1 CMR (Canadian Mounted Rifles) 29 Aug 1918 near Cabrai, France.

From what my father had read by the last 100 days the British had pretty much stifled the German artillery and the Germans were relying heavily on their MG's as defense. I am sure these were not taken easily.

 

[agentcq]

MG08/15
Erfurt 1917
Serial #8525

Recorded in the CEF Capture book.

Captrued by 58th Batt (Royal Regt of Canada - Central Ontario).

Interesting bi-pod. The top portion (female end that locks onto the MG is correct) but has been welded onto another mount as obviously the legs were broken off. I have seen multiple MG08/15's with this mount variation. This makes me think that one central place made these mounts, perhaps in Canada before distribution? Or perhaps this was a standard Waffenmeister repair?

I have even seen barrel jackets with bullet hole patches, so it isn't beyond possibility.

 

[agentcq]

This is a very rare piece. M1895 Colt-Browning MG - Browning's first MG design and nicknamed the Potato Digger.

This MG design was used by the Canadians in the Boer War and when the Great War broke out the Government of Canada ordered another 900x MG's. This is one of those MG's and is a Model 1914. It is marked 13th Black Watch Batt and is in very good to excellent condition. Sadly missing the Tripod. I believe US troops used a version of this MG in conflicts as well.

 

[boilerop]

The top Cover to the first 08/15 is quite uniqe as it is a over run into five digits, and should have been serial number 152B. The top cover is just as interesting as all the guns! If you could please take close up pics of the 08! Thanks Gage!