The MG08/15

[Gil Boyd]

Standard issue moustache with corners turned up

[Seaforth72]

I am puzzled by the unusual rear sight on the M.G. 08/15 sitting by itself.

[Lee Enfield]

I am puzzled by the unusual rear sight on the M.G. 08/15 sitting by itself.

That's not a rear sight. Blowing up the picture shows that there is no top cover over the feed tray - possibly the remains of a destroyed top cover?

[Seaforth72]

Lee Enfield - you are right. I should use big screen to check photos, not mY iPhone!

It looks like the top of the lock is sticking up, out of position.

[MG1918]

Attachment 99599

[MG1918]

Attachment 99865

[Seaforth72]

It appears that this is a standard positioning of the lock (firing pin etc) to show that the weapon is empty. With the Maxim and Vickers machine guns, one could easily leave a weapon loaded by mistake and by tilting the lock up like this at 45 degrees, it is visual evidence that the weapon does not have a live cartridge hidden down inside the mechanism.

[Warren]

Opening the top cover and turning the lock at 90 deg. was known as "hanging the lock."
You could close the top cover but the lock still stuck out and the top cover was open about 3 to 4 inches.
It was a way of proving the gun was unloaded and safe.
It was done on both the Maxim and the Vickers

[MG1918]

In Canada there must be plenty still standing. Could members provide their imagery?

[MG1918]

Attachment 105457

Note the rain cover attached to the 08/15. They were common with the 08/15 and fitted or rather rested ontop of the trommel.
Mark