Parabellum 1914/17: Germany's Ultimate Aircraft Maxim (ad-free)
Added 2023-01-16 12:00:01 +0000 UTCThe DWM company in Germany had a license on the Maxim gun design prior to World War One. They produced the rather old-fashioned MG08 for the German army, but also wanted to have a modernized type of gun for commercial sales. This was the Model 1913 Parabellum, with the design improved by Karl Heinemann. Like the Vickers, Heinemann's improvement included inverting the lock to reduce the size of the receiver box. He also moved the mainspring inside the receiver and simplified the lock.
The gun was formally adopted by the German military as the Model 1914 for aircraft use. The water jacket of the original design was slotted like the lMG08 and it was used as a flexible observer's gun. It had a rate of fire around 1000 rpm - much faster than the MG08 and 08/15, which definitely suited aerial use. An improved version was adopted as the 1914/17, with the barrel jacket reduced in diameter and a 3x telescopic sight fitted. This final version weighted just 22 pounds (10 kg).
After the war, production of the Parabellum simply ended. None of the guns were officially taken by the US as war reparations (unlike the MG08 and 08/15, which were Brough back to the US in large numbers) and all the different patterns (water-cooled 1913, air cooled 1914, and lightened 1914/17) are extremely scarce today. Many thanks to Limex for giving me access to film this one for you!
Comments
Perhaps, but when an MG man compromises his nice, low prone position with a hinged top cover that's over a foot tall, the notion of a slider does make one go "hmmm".
Erik
2023-01-18 13:04:14 +0000 UTCSliding top cover more time consuming/costly to build; aero needs justify it, but probably not for "get them out the dooooor already!" landwehr requirements...
Bruce Brodnax
2023-01-18 12:52:02 +0000 UTC"Fantastically German" indeed! Definitely makes you appreciate the simplification and lightening efforts of Vickers. Would have been interesting to see what the Brits could have done with that rear buffer concept. The sliding top cover might just be a better way. . .
Erik
2023-01-17 13:26:59 +0000 UTCmust be the largest 3x scope ever made. heck that thing is complicated. know what is damn german about it? the name!
Guido Schriewer
2023-01-16 21:44:04 +0000 UTCStick a bipod on it and use it as an infantry weapon.
ViejoLobo
2023-01-16 16:46:44 +0000 UTCI heard “fantastically German inside” and had to pop some popcorn because I knew it was going to be fun to watch.
2023-01-16 16:00:09 +0000 UTCSpeaking of merch. I really like that hoodie. But I'm a big guy (both because I'm overweight, and also because I'm built like an offensive lineman). I wear a XXL. But is doesn't appear Varusteleka makes a XXL. Is that something they might offer in the future, as you expand your relationship with them? Also, looking forward to see what you and the lads come up with, as you expand that relationship.
William Frank
2023-01-16 14:07:36 +0000 UTCExcellent :) If I'm going to have ads, I want to make them at least entertaining...
Forgotten Weapons
2023-01-16 14:03:49 +0000 UTC7.92x57; standard 8mm Mauser
Forgotten Weapons
2023-01-16 14:03:26 +0000 UTC7.??x?? Mauser?
The Bone Clock
2023-01-16 13:58:42 +0000 UTCIan, I have to hand it to you. I watched the add supported version this morning. The merch plug had me roaring!
William Frank
2023-01-16 13:57:56 +0000 UTCThe ejection port at the bottom is also different than Maxims, they spit the cases through a tube under the barrel.
Risto Alanko
2023-01-16 13:02:11 +0000 UTCLove that early 20th Century style of font used for the model name and serial number.
Minion
2023-01-16 12:37:03 +0000 UTCYup, fixed now :)
Forgotten Weapons
2023-01-16 12:17:27 +0000 UTCYou probably meant WWI not WWII in the opening sentence of this post. ;-)
Matthew Long
2023-01-16 12:06:04 +0000 UTC
