Known today mostly for heavy trucks and diesel engines, Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nurnberg was a German military supplier in both World Wars, being a chief producer of the Panther Tank in the latter. Originally developed by Hiram Maxim in the 1880s, the Maxim Gun is credited as the first true automatic weapon, using the energy generated by firing the round to cycle the weapon. Predating the idea of the air-cooled quick-change barrel, Maxim dealt with the technical challenge of the massive heat generated by automatic fire by installing a water-filled jacket around the barrel, an innovation that would continue to be used for decades afterwards. The Model 08/15 was intended to be more mobile in the field, and could be fired without a large field mount or a fixed position. Fitted with a blade front sight on the water jacket and a tangent rear sight on the top cover, which also bears the model markings, manufacturer name and address, and the "1917" production date. Fitted with a recoil boosting muzzle device on the water cooling jacket, crank-adjusted spring tension regulator on the left side of the frame, pistol grip mounted safety, and a hardwood buttstock. The buttstock is stamped on the right side "CAPTURED BY TWENTY EIGHTH/DIV. SEPT.TWENTYSIXTH/NINETEEN EIGHTEEN"; September 26, 1918 was the opening day of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, during which the U.S. 28th Infantry Division (aka the Keystone Division) faced very heavy German resistance. Also included is a metal bipod, belt carrier, suspension hook for the belt carrier, and cartridge belt.

Fine as assembled with 70% of the blue finish, showing areas of brown patina, mild spotting, and handling marks overall. The water jacket retains 60% of a brown/green/tan tri-tone camouflage paint overcoat, the tension mechanism shows heavier oxidization and a number of dents, and the junction between the receiver and the trunnion assembly shows signs of touched-up finish. Numbers are mixed overall, and the suspension hook for the belt carrier is damaged. The wood is good, with mild scuffs and scratches. Mechanically excellent. NOTE: This weapon is a National Firearms Act (NFA), fully transferable Class 3, which is registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, (BATFE) that is classified as a "Curios or Relic" as defined in 27 CFR, 478.11. These weapons are still subject to the provisions of 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 and 27 CFR part 478.