[TwinCollectors]

Hey all! I managed to pick up this MG08 sled and dummy gun this week at a local store and was wondering if anyone has a information and value estimate on something like this. What should I be looking for on something like this? I have no idea where to start but it all looks original. The sled itself seems to have been repainted at one point but all the controls still work. Most (if not all) of the markings are still present, I think. The gun itself have been entirely painted over and mice were living in it the last 15 years. I cleaned it out with an air compressor but nothing else. It seems most the parts on it are original parts but are missing the markings. The right side plate has been replaced with a dummy one and welded on. What would the value of the gun?

To add to this, I was wondering what a good price for a semi auto Mg08 would be. I might keep this just to put a nice gun on it! Thanks for reading!

 

[Nirvana]

Looks like it spent a few decades as someone’s lawn ornament, lots of deep pitting all over. I’m also not really that confident that the gun is properly Demilled, as the sideplate looks to be of the normal thickness. Value isn’t much, and I worry that the number in my head might be insulting if you have much money in it.

 

[stg44_mg42]

The sled is worth multiples of the value of the prop gun

 

[johnsonlmg]

Pretty interesting package. The gun needs to be repainted since the "Argentine" color scheme doesn't really go with the sled mount. Too bad a bunch is missing from the sled, but I'd say that is worth 1500-3K to the guy who doesn't have one. With a bunch of work and side panels replaced it could get the higher end. Needs a top strap, wood, leather, and a paint job.
If sold by IMA they'd ask 5-6K
The photo is an original sled with original paint. The gun is externally matching. I'd put this package at 20K, so the more work you do, the closer you get to that number. There is a large market for what you have acquired.

 

[Madboat]

The side panels on the legs and the bottom panel are missing. Wooden inserts in legs are missing. Those can be remade but it is a pain. The pads are missing but the brackets are still there, so the pads can be remade. The brackets have to be removed for any pad restoration. These pads were restored and I made the wood inserts.

 

[kentuckyguy]

That sled mount will make a nice range piece for a shooter.

The most important thing its missing is the top trunion retaining strap.

 

[panzerfaust44]

Even with the missing parts............that MG08 still makes an impressive display item.

 

[MG08]

Here's mine, 1917 Spandau, with 1917 dated mount.

 

[Tanners_m91]

I'd love to have a mg08 dummy or exc. Finding a sled mount and all is really uncommon. Sleds are 2-6k easy it seems now days. Buy the 08 itself I'm unsure on.
Ive got a 08/15 but a 08 has eluded me haha

 

[BigBoy99]

Converting an MG08 to semi-auto would be a very hard and expensive task. The gun would have to totally redesigned internally with many original parts having to be modified/re manufactured at considerable expense. If you have loads of money and a machinist to work for you, a semi-auto MG08 is just a pipe dream.

 

[TwinCollectors]

Even with the missing parts............that MG08 still makes an impressive display item.

That is why I bought it! Its awesome looking and I didn't spend much on it. The gun I didn't see any value in. Its been repainted, demilled and mice have been living in it.

 

[panzerfaust44]

That is why I bought it! Its awesome looking and I didn't spend much on it. The gun I didn't see any value in. Its been repainted, demilled and mice have been living in it.

The MG08 can be stripped and reblued and or painted to WWI specs.

What markings are on top of the receiver? What year was it made?

 

[TwinCollectors]

The MG08 can be stripped and reblued and or painted to WWI specs.

What markings are on top of the receiver? What year was it made?

Unfortunately, I think either the top has been heavily painted over or sanded down as there are not any markings on it. The top has also snapped in half from rust near the pin that holds it in. When I get home today, Ill take closer pictures as I have since cleaned most the dirt and webs off it. Its a great display gun at least and its looking great just sitting around in the house!

 

[panzerfaust44]

Its a great display gun at least and its looking great just sitting around in the house!

10x on that!!!

Lots of members on here would love to own that. Me too!!

 

[TwinCollectors]

10x on that!!!

Lots of members on here would love to own that. Me too!!

I'll message you if I plan on selling it. I have some offers from a few other people and a dealer up in NY who I said I would hold it until he took a look at it. I'd prefer to get in trade for to at least fill the hole that it has in my heart now!

 

[panzerfaust44]

I'll message you if I plan on selling it. I have some offers from a few other people and a dealer up in NY who I said I would hold it until he took a look at it. I'd prefer to get in trade for to at least fill the hole that it has in my heart now!

I wouldnt sell it.

Think how much more will it be worth in another 10 years

 

[Mark Finneran]

Forgive my absence due to work, blame Mr Putin! Looking to re-energise the WWI German MG threads but enjoyed reading the above. My immediate thoughts are find another relic schlitten and bastardise the 2 to make one reasonably good one. I like the missing side plates,
Mark

 

[TwinCollectors]

Forgive my absence due to work, blame Mr Putin! Looking to re-energise the WWI German MG threads but enjoyed reading the above. My immediate thoughts are find another relic schlitten and bastardise the 2 to make one reasonably good one. I like the missing side plates,
Mark

I am still thinking how to display this beast! This missing parts aren't hurting me all that much and the gun at least looks nice. I'll hold onto it until I have no more room and I am sure a member of this forum would like to have it over me when that time comes. Or trade it for something.

 

[TwinCollectors]

Here are some closer pictures. The top manufacturing markings are entirely gone or painted over and the cover is snapped in half. The knob does indeed work but it isn't charging anything and every other marking is either fully pained over or obliterated. The inside is rotted and destroyed. This gun is a display piece and only a display piece.

 

[panzerfaust44]

Its possible the markings are under the paint. But it looks like they were scrubbed.

I do a serial number off to the right side on tan/gold painted area.