WWI German Machine Guns

[Mr.J]

Being a virtual novice to WW1 and embarking on a pulpy type project I was just wondering if the Germans had some kind of alternative to the Lewis gun or if captured Lewis guns were widely used by them?

I've drawn a bit of a blank on this after some searching. I've read that they were trained in the use of Lewis guns which led me to believe they might have been widely used but I have no idea really.

The only gun that I have come up with that might be a possibility is the MG08/15 which was a variation of the Maxim gun but was slightly lighter and had a stock added.

As mentioned it is for a pulp game but I'd still like my pulp to be 'historically accurate'!

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Poliorketes]

The 08/15 was the standard issue LMG of the german army. One of the most lethal weapons ever it was not as lightweighted as the Lewis but had a greater rate of fire.

[Mr.J]

Thanks for that, I thought that was the case but wasn't sure.

[Plynkes]

In addition to the MG08/15, captured Lewis guns were used too, so you were right on both counts in your initial thinking.

[cpstu]

Captured Lewis MG's were used, esp by stormtroop units.

As well as a few other 'foreign' weapons.

se 

[brigadegames]

As said above, both MG08 and captured Lewis guns were used.

[leadfool]

Depending on when your pulp project is to take place, the immediate post war years open up a whole host of available firearms.  When and where are you putting this project? 

[Mr.J]

It's immediately after WWI. Here is an overview:

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=10752.0

My first figures are Artizan Sky Pirates to use as my German Zeppelin crew (also using them as an entry in LPL hence no pictures yet!) I have the machine gunner armed with a Lewis gun but I am considering giving him a MG08 instead to try and make him look a bit more German.

[leadfool]

Your troops can be armed with the usual collection of rifles and carbines, pistols including Lugers and the Mauser "Broomhandle."  Machineguns would certainly include both Lewis and 1908s. 

There was a lot of experimentation at the time and if anyone would have the prototypes, it would likely be the Kaiser or someone associate with him.  Solthurn was experimenting with a machinegun that looks like a Bren gun but with a 20 round squared off magazine.  The Czechs sere making a light Machinegun that eventually (1924) became populat with a side mounted magazine.  It would certainly seem liekley that the Kaiser would have access to captured American BARs. 

You can field submachineguns with side mount magazines, including a 32 round "snail" drum luger magazine.  The Italians had a 1918 subgun that looks like the Baretta 1936/38 series.

Don't forget to give your guys fun little toys lie flamethrowers and rifle grenades.  I would think those would get packed on the Zepplin ride.  They might also pack along the Kaisers collection of hunting weapons including shotguns, large bore rifles and drillings and veirillings.  The shotguns clould include pump and leveraction shotguns.  Drillings are veirillings have 3 or 4 barrels respectivly.  The Germans were big on those weapons as they gave the hunter several choices of game to shoot from the same platform.  Usually they were 2 shotgun barrels and a third rifle barrel. 

The other thought of how the Kaiser gets to China is by armored train.  Just picture it, a large armored train, with zepplins in support, fighting across the revolution ravaged Russian countryside.  Maybe recruiting a few cossacks and Russian ballerinas along the way.

Sounds like fun. 

[Mr.J]

You are an absolute star leadfool! Thanks for all those insights.
I was just going to have him fly there but that seems like it could be a lot more exciting and adventureful.
I'm about halfway through my zeppelin troops and have put off the machine-gunner as I was a bit stuck for ideas but this is really useful.
Thanks again!

[Mr.J]

Work has recommenced on this project again and I'm still not happy with my machine gunner having a lewis gun so I was wondering of any of you might have a spare Maxim/MG08/15 etc (or a miniature with one that could be easily extracted) that you would be willing to part with for a very good cause?

Also Artizan have just released some new sky pirates with rifles!! I'm a happy bunny today!

[cpstu]

Didn't some units have a swedish LMG......?

se 

[Mr.J]

I have absolutely no idea to be honest with you! I'll look into it though.
I really want the unit to have a very 'German' look though and figured the maxim would be the way to go for this.

[cdr]

What did the Madsen MG look like ?

Carl

[Phil Robinson]

What did the Madsen MG look like ?

Carl

Wiki is always a start

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madsen_machine_gun

One of my favourite MG designs